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Redmond mayor frames 2026 State of the City around belonging, connection and innovation
Summary
Mayor Burney told a packed State of the City that Redmond is 'ready for the world,' highlighting transit expansions, a new on-demand RedLINK shuttle, community programs tied to the World Cup and partnerships with tech firms and tribes to guide growth.
Mayor Burney used Redmond's 2026 State of the City to cast the city as a place of 'belonging, connection and innovation,' saying recent investments in transit, parks and community programs have positioned Redmond to host and welcome regional visitors during this summer's World Cup.
"We choose belonging, making city services accessible and representative. We choose connection, investing in infrastructure, public spaces, and programming that brings everyone together," the mayor said, framing the year's priorities as practical steps that make daily life better for residents while preparing for larger events.
Front-and-center in the speech were transportation improvements: the mayor noted four light rail stations are now open, including Downtown Redmond and Marymoor Village, and said the Cross-Lake Connection would open March 28 to provide direct transit across Lake Washington into Seattle. She also introduced RedLINK, an on-demand shuttle service the city launched this week to link neighborhoods to rail stations and downtown destinations; the mayor said the service "helps bridge the distance" and is free.
The address also celebrated completed walking and trail projects. The mayor noted the city's portion of the Redmond Central Connector is finished, describing it as part of a 42-mile Eastside trail network and saying Redmond has joined the Great American Rail Trail. The city is adding more pedestrian scrambles and expanding an in-house concrete crew to speed accessibility repairs.
Large public events factored into the city's planning. The mayor outlined World Cup programming — including community grants, a July 19 final party at Marymoor Park, mayoral soccer ambassadors and a national art contest tied to the country's 250th birthday — saying the city's hospitality extends beyond stadium gates to local businesses, parks and neighborhoods.
The mayor repeatedly credited partnerships for the work — with local businesses, volunteer organizations and large technology firms — and highlighted programs that support small-business outreach, translation services and direct public engagement. She closed by reiterating that Redmond's spirit, grounded in its diverse residents, is what enables the city to pursue ambitious infrastructure and cultural projects.
The event included an Indigenous welcome and several local spotlights, and it closed with remarks from Christina Hudson of 1 Redmond thanking sponsors and partners. The mayor's comments ran through a single, broad civic agenda: manage growth by investing in transit, accessibility and community programming while deepening public-private and tribal partnerships.
