Mayor Cherie Wood, currently serving in her fifth term as the mayor of South Salt Lake, delivered her annual State of the City address March 16 at the community center auditorium. 

Instead of simply presenting a list of municipal infrastructure goals the city has achieved, Wood used the speech to present a vision of South Salt Lake as a "City of Kindness," where the ultimate goal of every city endeavor—from police work to urban planning—is to foster a more compassionate and united society.

“South Salt Lake is committed to being a place where people feel supported, respected and able to thrive,” Wood said. “That commitment shows up in the policies we adopt, the partnerships we build, and the way we treat one another. It is the foundation of what we mean when we say we are a city of kindness.”

Wood emphasized that the city’s future is being forged by its residents. 

“We are a city of kindness built on exceptional people who insist on a strong community and connection with one another; together, we forge our city’s future,” she said. 

However, she was also quick to acknowledge the challenges facing many of her constituents. 

“I want to acknowledge that while we have the luxury to feel comfortable and secure here tonight, there are many residents in our community who feel unsafe and uncertain, simply because they come from different backgrounds and cultures,” she said. “I believe everybody deserves to feel safe walking in our neighborhoods, sending their kids to school, and interacting with city services.”

Addressing public safety and the role of the local police, Wood said it is a priority to build trust with the city’s immigrant populations. 

“I want to be clear that the role of our city and our police department is to protect our residents,” she continued. “They are not immigration officers, and they do not enforce federal immigration law. It is essential that all residents feel safe calling 911, reporting crimes and seeking help when they need it, without fear. Trust is essential to public safety, and I'm committed to building and maintaining that trust.” 

This commitment to safety extends to the physical environment of the city, ensuring that the current planning strategy focuses on creating a "safe space for all" where every person feels a sense of belonging at the grocery store or the park, she said.

Wood framed the city’s growth as a deeply personal mission to better the lives of her neighbors. 

“Every day, I am guided by the promise: what I wish for myself and my family, I wish for everyone in my community,” she said. 

This philosophy is currently being applied to the housing crisis. 

“Here in South Salt Lake, we are confronting that reality with practical tools, partnerships and long-term planning,” she said. 

These efforts include the establishment of a housing and transit reinvestment zone (HTRZ), which allows the city to capture a portion of future tax growth from the downtown area to reinvest directly back into housing, infrastructure and public amenities.

Recently, the city closed on its first HTRZ bond for $25 million. This funding is already facilitating major projects like the Market Center development on State Street, which is set to add 500 affordable residential units along with retail space and public amenities connected to nearby transit. With multiple developments now underway, the city is approaching nearly 2,000 new units in its housing inventory. 

City officials are also working with partners on the Monroe Townhomes and the 300 Lofts to prioritize larger two- and three-bedroom units for families. 

Additionally, the city is actively acquiring and upgrading vacant homes to return them to the market as "affordable in perpetuity." Through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity, the city is also funding critical home repairs to allow residents most in need to remain safely in their homes.

“We're committed to ensuring that housing meets a variety of needs for all of our residents at every stage of life,” Wood said. “That commitment to dignity for all South Salt Lakers shapes how we're approaching some of our community's most complex challenges.” 

Closing her address, Wood looked toward the future, describing the work being done today as a legacy for the next generation.

 She noted that South Salt Lake is committed to a culture of generosity and invited every resident to take an active role in shaping a community that prioritizes respect. 

“Let’s be the kind of neighbors and people we want in our community; let’s create a space where everyone feels welcome, safe and respected,” she said.

She also encouraged those present and all South Salt Lake City residents to take the city’s Dignity Pledge, “a commitment to treating each other with dignity and respect, even when we disagree,” she said.