Grand Island Mayor Roger Steele Delivers State of the City Address
Grand Island, Neb. — Mayor Roger Steele delivered his annual State of the City Address Monday morning, outlining seven years of historic growth, disciplined financial stewardship and a continued commitment to public safety and quality of life for the Grand Island community.
Joined by Grand Island Police Chief Kevin Denney and Fire Chief Cory Schmidt, Mayor Steele emphasized a central theme that has defined his administration: Grand Island has not stood still. He highlighted major economic development projects, infrastructure investments and community-focused initiatives that continue to reshape the city and strengthen its role as a regional destination.
Among the projects highlighted were the redevelopment of the former Veterans Home into housing for veterans, continued growth in regional healthcare facilities, and the soon-to-begin $600 million Good Life District, the largest single development in the city’s history. The Good Life District will include a sports complex, aquatics center, housing, hotels and retail development, providing long-term jobs and opportunities for residents.
Mayor Steele also pointed to quality-of-life investments including Ryder Park stadium renovations, ongoing improvements at Island Oasis Water Park, and the next phase of enhancements to the Stolley Park train area. He announced the creation of a new Nebraska State Park through the combination of Mormon Island and Camp Augustine, calling it a transformative opportunity for tourism, outdoor recreation and long-term economic impact.
Throughout the address, Mayor Steele underscored his administration’s focus on conservative budgeting, disciplined planning and maintaining flat property tax requests for seven consecutive years, while still investing in essential services and future growth. Public safety was identified as the city’s top priority, with Mayor Steele announcing plans to propose adding three police officers and three firefighter-paramedics to ensure staffing levels keep pace with community growth and maintain timely, professional emergency response. He also highlighted recent investments in the Grand Island Fire Department, including a new Fire Station No. 3 and a new ladder truck.
Police Chief Kevin Denney and Fire Chief Cory Schmidt each provided updates on their departments following the Mayor’s remarks, outlining operational priorities, staffing needs and ongoing efforts to keep Grand Island safe. The full State of the City Address is available for public viewing online via the City’s website, Facebook page and YouTube channel. For more information, please contact Grand Island Communications Manager Spencer Schubert at [email protected].