State of the City: Lincoln discusses vision to make Stockton 'best city in the nation'

Mayor Kevin Lincoln looked into the crowd of nearly 800 people at the State of the City and told them his vision is to keep Stockton on track and address some of the city's most pressing issues.

"I often share the vision of Stockton," Lincoln said Thursday. "That is that Stockton will become the best city in the nation to live, raise a family, and grow a business. I believe in that vision with my whole heart ... it's that deep-rooted belief that helps me wake up every morning, put my best foot forward, and lead this city."

Vice Mayor Kimberly Warmsley, council members Michael Blower, Michele Padilla, Susan Lenz, and other community leaders were present to listen to the mayor's address. Noticeably absent was Stockton City Manager Harry Black. City spokeswoman Connie Cochran said Black had a family commitment.

In his keynote speech, the Stockton mayor — who is nearly three years into his first term — touched on several issues that city officials are working to improve.

'True healing' to help homeless

"Homelessness is one of the most complex issues that have plagued communities throughout society for multiple generations," Lincoln said. "The truth of the matter is that we're never going to be able to completely eradicate homelessness. However, developing sustainable solutions to mitigate the impacts of homelessness and assist our unsheltered residents remains a top priority for the city of Stockton."

Lincoln said the city is making "positive progress" in addressing the root causes of homelessness through affordable housing initiatives, comprehensive services and wraparound support.

In 2022, Stockton had a 3% decline in unsheltered people and a 16% decline in first-time homelessness, according to Lincoln.

On Tuesday, city officials, along with the Housing Authority of San Joaquin County, broke ground on Calaveras Quarters — an affordable housing community that is meant to provide permanent housing to at-risk youth, families, and seniors.

Calaveras Quarters — formally Motel 6 at 2654 W. March Lane — will have 68 one-bedroom units. It is the city's latest Homekey project. Construction is expected to be completed in December.

Stockton received $4.3 million in Project Homekey funding awards from the state in 2020. Those funds were used to purchase and convert the Relax Inn at 1604 N. Wilson Way into Town Center Studios — a 39 unit permanent supportive housing community.

At the May 2 Stockton City Council meeting, council members voted to authorize staff to apply for a third round of the state's Project Homekey grant funding. The amount is not to exceed $35 million, according to agenda documents.

With the money, the city will partner with Upholdings California, a Fresno-based affordable housing development firm, to purchase and redevelop a 124-room Econo Lodge motel in French Camp into a residential apartment building. The building will have at least 76 one-bedroom and two-bedroom units.

And the Stockton Shelter for the Homeless Navigation Center is slated to open this summer, Lincoln said. The expansion of the shelter will add 180 low-barrier shelter beds, and resources and services for the unsheltered and those at risk of homelessness.

"It is not compassionate for individuals and families to be unsheltered, without housing, in our public parks and public spaces," Lincoln said. "Our sheltered and unsheltered residents deserve true healing, health, and safety in our city."

Deaths on the rise

Homicides are up 19% on the year in Stockton. Lincoln emphasized that public safety is a shared responsibility, and said the role of the community is crucial in securing Stockton's streets.

"As Stocktonians, we must embrace an ownership mentality and ensure those responsible for committing crimes in our city are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law," Lincoln said. "I urge all residents to remain vigilant, report any suspicious activities to the authorities, and actively participate in community programs promoting safety and crime prevention."

The mayor said there are several programs in place to respond to, intervene in, and mitigate crime and public safety concerns throughout Stockton — one of those programs is the Office of Violence Prevention.

The agency has been focusing on deterring young people from violence. Data from the office shows that individuals 16 to 29 have been disproportionately impacted by violence in Stockton, accounting for 48% of this year's homicides.

"As a community, we must do better, and it starts at home. True change begins in the environments that each and every one of us finds ourselves in on a daily basis," Lincoln said. "Let me be clear, one homicide in Stockton is one too many, and the trauma that impacts these families and these young people continue on for generations."

Police have seized over 261 guns off the streets across Stockton this year. Lincoln said that city staff will work to ensure that public safety departments have the tools and resources they need to reduce crime and keep Stocktonians safe.

Committed to 'level playing field' for businesses

Lincoln also highlighted the city's economic growth — he said he believes it is a "crucial pillar" of Stockton's overall growth. In 2022, there were 3,300 new business licenses issued.

"We understand that economic development must be inclusive and accessible to all residents," Lincoln said. "That's why we have implemented programs to support entrepreneurship, particularly in underserved communities."

This year, the city handed out $285,000 in entrepreneurship grants, invested $2 million in the Small Business Façade Improvement Program to uplift and beautify downtown commercial storefronts, and invested over $400,000 in a Nonprofit Enterprise Support Team to expand the capacity of existing nonprofits in the Stockton community.

"We are committed to creating a level playing field and empowering individuals to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams," Lincoln said.

The mayor spoke of several issues that have long plagued the city, but also spoke of the effort to make Stockton a brighter and more prosperous place to live and raise a family.

"I encourage everyone listening to actively participate in shaping the future of our city," Lincoln said to close his speech. "The strength of our community, the strength of Stockton, truly lies in its people."

Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at hworkman@recordnet.com or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. To support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.

This article originally appeared on The Record: Lincoln discusses vision for Stockton at State of the City address