I hope you are spending this holiday season basking in the warmth of friends and family and getting to rest, recharge, and reflect on the past year. Before 2024 wraps, let’s “unwrap” some of Lincoln’s greatest hits – the results of our dedicated City of Lincoln team and remarkable community members working in concert to shape a bright future!
Protecting the safety of all Lincoln families
Public safety is our top priority and one of the reasons Lincoln ranked the sixth best capital in the country.
In 2024, the City of Lincoln:
Opened the doors to our new Emergency Communications Center
Launched our Co-Responder Program, an innovative partnership between LPD and CenterPointe
Welcomed 34 new police officers, making LPD nearly fully staffed at 94% of its authorized strength
Acquired life-saving extrication equipment and a new ladder truck for our team at Lincoln Fire and Rescue
Public-private partnerships in Lincoln form the soundtrack to our vibrant economy and quality of life.
Through targeted investments, the City of Lincoln:
Incentivized over $180 million in economic development projects that are creating new jobs, strengthening neighborhoods, and bringing new businesses to our community
Grew and upskilled our local workforce, resulting in increased wages and new jobs in high-demand fields like manufacturing, trucking, welding, information technology, the health sciences, and early childhood education
Local government contributed over half the total funding to build Lincoln's premier baseball and softball fields at the Sandhills Global Youth Complex, set to open in spring 2025
Investments in infrastructure fuel our economy and strengthen our community's foundation.
Invested $47 million into street infrastructure through additional funding from Lincoln on the Move, resulting in 18 lane miles of new or resurfaced arterial streets and 8 lane miles of residential street improvements
Expanded our Heat Pump Program, providing financial incentives to 329 homeowners (and counting!) who installed energy-efficient heat pumps – saving money, reducing emissions, and improving health outcomes
Partnered with Sparq Renewables to create a renewable energy facility that will convert methane waste into a valuable asset, increase landfill efficiency, and enhance our top-ranked air quality
We made progress on key initiatives in 2024 to ensure that everyone in Lincoln has opportunities to thrive and enjoy a high quality of life.
This year, the City of Lincoln:
Have now incentivized the creation of over 2,670 new or rehabilitated affordable housing units
Broke ground on the first City-owned Permanent Supportive Housing -- 24 individual apartments that will soon provide supportive, wrap-around services to help chronically homeless individuals get off the streets and back on their feet
Began construction on Lincoln’s first fully-inclusive playground at Mahoney Park, designed for children of all abilities to play together
Issued over 17,000 new library cards, a 13% increase from last year, expanding access to learning and resources for residents citywide
As 2024 wraps, I want to thank you again for all you do to keep our city moving forward to a fantastic beat. May your new year be filled with health, happiness, friends, and loved ones – the true anthem for the great life we lead, live, and love in Lincoln.