Brentwood Mayor Provides Update at 2018 State of the City

On April 11, Brentwood Mayor Robert Taylor gave his State of the City Address in his iconic orange suit and fedora at an event hosted by the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce.

Taylor began his address by giving praise to the diversification and unity of Brentwood. He then asked everyone to hold hands as one prompting smiles and laughter as the room came together.

He addressed the room highlighting the unity of the community.

“This is what makes a city, it takes all of this, and it takes unity, and it takes each one with their hearts, their souls, and their wonderful minds,” stated Taylor. “This is your city, and it wouldn’t be what it is, if it weren’t for you.”

Taylor recognized the police department saying the city is recognized for safety and thanked the officers for keeping Brentwood safe and a family-fun community.

He then highlighted the Highway 4 Bypass project, the new library and bringing back the gazebo as exampled of how the city was moving forward.

Taylor explained that he “promised you, [residents of Brentwood] there would be a gazebo,” and that “you are your gonna get it.”

He went on to sharing anecdotes of people special to him that have helped out in the community, and addressing youth as he emphasized the involvement of the youth saying “we need the kids.”

Taylor touched on future projects that were on the horizon such as the city working on a transit center, while they will be cutting the ribbon in Antioch for BART on Memorial Day weekend.

Informing on new ways to rendering inaccurate an old campaign slogan of his: “When you get into brentwood you can’t get out, and when you’re out you can’t get back in!”

Going further into the future, PA-1, a large amount of unused land that can be seen as empty fields around Brentwood, will be used not for more housing, but for businesses that will create jobs for the community and outside individuals, in order to aid the community’s ability to prosper and grow. This focus on the growth of the community went deep as plans for new parking lots, cafes, open-eateries, murals, and transformations to the alleyways of the city were revealed.

Past the aesthetics, he made an emphasis on the use of new license plate readers they had installed, as well as more motorcycle officers to cut down on traffic violators. Further highlighting the need for public safety, he explained how they have training for an Community Emergency Response Team, as well as many other updated contingency plans in occurrence of many events, including a nod to a much-needed new fire station that will alleviate the burden on the current lack firefighters.

Taylor also placed need on the understanding that water is a priceless resource of the city, and that he “does not support tunnels.” That he “loves the farmland” as a result of his more than twenty years of living that lifestyle, and that he wishes blessings on them.

He explained when it came to more economic opportunities to the city, there was some talk of the Byron Airport expansion. While discussion is underway for a full extension of the John Muir Hospital with all forms of medical buildings will allow individuals to save hours of driving and money in other cities, as an entire medical center is in the plans.

Taylor noted that there are plans underway for a tourism center, redoing parks within the city and surrounding lands, as well as a creation of the Brentwood Restaurant Association that will feature restaurants in order to boost and strengthen the flow of customers within the community.

Lastly, a massive amphitheater and performing arts center on the outskirts of Trilogy. Concluding his presentation and various recognition’s of individuals within the community,

Andrew Neciuk is an intern writer for ECT. He is a Brentwood resident and Heritage High School Student. He is looking to get into journalism and wants to learn how to bring more awareness to events, movements, and cultures in the San Francisco Bay Area.