The City of Carlsbad highlighted recent accomplishments, major projects and the city’s continued focus on protecting quality of life while planning for the future as part of its annual State of the City Presentation on Tuesday, Sept. 9. City Council members shared brief remarks followed by this year’s State of the City video.
This year’s video includes guest appearances from some of Carlsbad’s youngest residents and features updates on key projects and initiatives that support the City Council’s 5-Year Strategic Plan goals. Some of the highlights include:
Community character
Sunday hours returned at the Georgina Cole Library and Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane, offering seven-day-a-week community access for the first time since the pandemic.
TGIF Concerts in the Parks came back with nine nights of live music and community fun.
Renovations were completed at the Alga Norte Aquatic Center, and the Monroe Street Pool is undergoing major renovations anticipated to reopen in late summer 2026.
Construction is anticipated to begin late this year on Veterans Memorial Park, which will be the city’s largest park to date.
Sustainability & the natural environment
Opened the new Stagecoach Community Garden, the city’s fourth community garden and first in South Carlsbad.
Adopted an updated Climate Action Plan and launched an online dashboard to track progress.
Switched all of the energy used to power city government buildings, facilities and operations to the Clean Energy Alliance’s 100% renewable energy option.
Celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Habitat Management Plan, protecting more than 6,200 acres of habitat home to sensitive species and native plants.
Quality of life
Nearly 40 miles of city streets are being resurfaced to reduce potholes and extend their life.
Added 40+ new parking spaces in the Village and Barrio by restriping red curbs where they were no longer needed.
Installed new streetlights in the Barrio to improve safety and walkability, with more on the way.
Opened 47 new affordable apartments for residents 55 and older at Vintage at Marja Acres.
Reached a milestone land use agreement, that will give the city approximately six acres of coastal land including Cannon Park, land next door and a lease for what is known as the Hub Park trail system along the south shore of Agua Hedionda Lagoon.
Continuing progress on reducing homelessness and the impacts on the community, with new grant-funded outreach programs focusing on encampment clean ups along State Route 78 and connecting people living in their vehicles to services and housing.
Public safety
Reopened a newly renovated Emergency Operations Center, a high-tech hub for emergency response.
Creating wildfire mitigation plans, carrying out brush management in Carlsbad preserves with the help of a qualified contractor and partnering with HOAs to get them FireWise certified.
Purchased a new aerial ladder truck and reclassified six EMTs to firefighters in a multi-year effort to enhance emergency response.
Carlsbad residents experiencing cardiac arrest are three times more likely to recover than the county average.
Added six new police positions.
Partnered with schools on e-bike safety training and launched Safe Routes to Schools programs.
Economy vitality and organizational excellence
Adopted a balanced budget for the next fiscal year, which invests in the community’s highest priorities, sets aside money for future infrastructure needs and grows the city’s cash reserves – all while projecting a balanced budget through fiscal year 2031.
Carlsbad businesses generated $17.6 billion in goods and services this past year, helping keep unemployment low at 4.5%.
Launched a Small Business Liaison Program and Digital Resource Hub to support entrepreneurs.
Once again named one of the nation’s top 10 digital cities.
The full 2025 State of the City video can be viewed and downloaded on the City of Carlsbad’s Vimeo page.
