Irvine Mayor Larry Agran
On March 10th, Mayor Larry Agran delivered the annual “State of the City” address in front of a packed audience at Irvine City Hall.
Last year, Mayor Agran shared an ambitious aspiration for Irvine to become the Safest, Smartest, Greenest, Healthiest, and Kindest City in America. During this year’s speech, the Mayor outlined a number of new and expanded programs that have been established to move us closer to achieving that lofty goal.
SAFEST CITY
Mayor Agran announced that for the 21st year in a row, Irvine has been recognized as the Safest Big City in America, according to FBI statistics on violent crime. Agran reported that violent crime fell by 5% and property crime by 16% last year.
The Mayor said that City officials have worked closely with the Irvine Police Department to address public safety concerns related to street racing and electric bikes (e-bikes). As a result, the City lowered speed limits on nearly 100 streets, established mandatory e-bike safety classes at schools, implemented lower speed limits for e-bikes, and ramped-up traffic enforcement. Agran noted that the City will continue working with the police department to establish policies that keep drivers, passengers, bicyclists, and pedestrians safe on Irvine streets.
SMARTEST CITY
Mayor Agran applauded Irvine’s high-achieving schools that consistently rank among the best in the nation. He said: “For decades, the City of Irvine has provided Irvine’s public schools and students with more than $10 million per year — about $200 per student — in the form of matching funds and in-kind support.”
The Mayor said that Irvine’s thriving business community is also getting a boost from the City with the establishment of the soon-to-open Irvine Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, which is a one-stop business accelerator for new and innovative Irvine enterprises. The City has also launched the Irvine Business Support Nonprofit Grants Program — a program administered by the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce to provide small grants to promising small businesses emerging from historically underrepresented groups.
GREENEST CITY
In 2025, Irvine was named the fourth greenest city in America, and the City’s park system was ranked the second best in the nation by the Trust for Public Land. Irvine was recognized for having 28% of its land dedicated to parks and green spaces, which is nearly double the national average. And 96% of Irvine residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park.
Last year, Irvine became one of the first “Clean California Communities” for its green initiatives. During his speech, Agran said the City is working to make Irvine even greener by planting thousands more trees to help provide shade, clean the air, and cool our City. The City is also establishing a new 600-acre nature preserve in North Irvine that will include an extensive network of hiking and biking trails for Irvine families to enjoy.
HEALTHIEST CITY
Last year, Irvine was named the 10th healthiest city in America. With the recent opening of both City of Hope and UCI Hospital, Irvine has become a premier hospital and healthcare hub for Southern California. During his speech, Mayor Agran reported the establishment of the City’s Office of Health & Wellness that will soon become the Department of Health & Wellness. The new department will promote health, well-being, and social support services while ensuring that Irvine is well prepared for any future public health crises.
The Mayor said that Irvine’s first City-run gymnasium will open later this year. The 110,000-square-foot gym will be available to residents of all ages and abilities. He also announced that the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team has chosen to train at the Great Park in preparation for this summer’s FIFA World Cup.
KINDEST CITY
While speaking of his aspiration for Irvine to become “America’s Kindest City,” Mayor Agran said: “I’m taking this opportunity to call upon all of us — as Irvine civic leaders, participants in government, and citizens everywhere — to model kindness, to apply the lessons and values we were taught by our parents and teachers, to talk respectfully to one another, even when we disagree — maybe especially when we disagree — and to be especially kind, helpful, and generous toward others who are struggling or in need.”
Census data shows Irvine is the most racially and ethnically diverse and completely integrated city in America. Mayor Agran said: “The plain fact is that we live together, work together, and learn together every day. By all indications and measurements, we do so in remarkable harmony for a big city. That is the norm here in Irvine. From time to time, I examine the records our police maintain regarding hate incidents and hate crimes. Although every reported hate incident or allegation of a hate crime is, of course, taken seriously, I’m pleased that the numbers remain low. I wish I could tell you that we keep records of acts of kindness in Irvine. But we don’t. Probably because they are too numerous to keep track of.”
The Mayor then went on to list many of the Irvine-based community service and support organizations that demonstrate and promote kindness in a myriad of ways, including Second Harvest Food Bank, Families Forward, Human Options, the Assistance League, Working Wardrobes, Friends of Outreach for senior citizens, Irvine Adult Day Health Services, Irvine Children’s Fund, Stand Up for Kids, and many more. The Mayor applauded the work that these organizations do, and the many hundreds of good people who have volunteered their time and resources to help others in need.
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