Mayor Adena Ishii plans to address what she considers to be the biggest issues impacting Berkeley at the State of the City Address on Wednesday. A year into her term, this will be Ishii’s first address. She plans to highlight community resilience, public safety and bold housing efforts as the city navigates a growing structural deficit and federal pressure.

The address will discuss houselessness, public safety and long-term infrastructure developments in Berkeley. In a press preview last week, Ishii emphasized the importance of staying true to the city’s values.

“Given the state of the county right now, here in Berkeley, we are proud of the work we are doing,” Ishii said. “We are showing the country what it means to be united, not divided.”

Safety and preparedness

Public safety and immigrant protections are expected to be featured prominently in the address, following Berkeley’s recent passage of the Sanctuary City Ordinance. As preparation for potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, activity, staff pointed to “Know Your Rights” trainings, ongoing coordination with community partners and the Alameda County Immigration Legal and Education Partnership, a countywide rapid response hotline.

Houselessness and infrastructure

Ishii’s remarks will also preview Berkeley’s expanded efforts to address houselessness: The city has identified sites for alternative shelters modeled after the Horizon Transitional Village Program, a 24/7 staffed shelter site based on Grayson Street. The city expects funding to come from Measure W, increases sales taxes to fund county programs to support residents without homes, along with other grants. Berkeley is currently lobbying the county to expedite Measure W’s next release. 

Regarding long-term housing, the mayor mentioned “big plans” for new development near the Ashby BART lots. City planners are also exploring upzoning on North Shattuck and College Avenue corridors, though the proposals have drawn opposition from merchant groups. Community presentations will continue in the coming months before a formal vote next summer.

Economic resilience

With multiple downtown storefronts left empty amid construction delays, city staff are supporting pop-up retail and encouraging businesses to subdivide space to reduce rent burdens. Ishii underscored a need to shop at local physical stores, supporting small venues such as Half Price Books and Berkeley’s remaining two movie theaters. 

“We need to encourage people to buy locally. It is a huge part of our culture here,” Ishii said. 

Looking ahead

Ishii’s speech comes as Berkeley continues to navigate tension with the federal government. Ishii acknowledged a letter from President Donald Trump’s former administration official Pam Bondi and said Berkeley is “being targeted” for its stances, but she remained firm in the city’s commitments.

“We have had to balance standing firm on our values with continuing the work that we are doing,” she said.