Mayor Eddie Moran delivered an expansive State of the City address outlining public safety improvements, major infrastructure investments, economic development projects, and long-term planning efforts that he said demonstrate growing momentum across the City of Reading.
The address, attended by elected officials, city staff, community leaders, business owners, nonprofit organizations, and residents, opened with interfaith prayers led by Muslim, Christian, and Jewish faith leaders, reflecting what Moran described as the city’s commitment to unity across differences.
A City Framed by Unity and Momentum
Moran framed the address around a six-year journey he said began with a belief that progress is possible when residents, institutions, and government move forward together. He described 2025 as a year that reflected “momentum built on stability,” emphasizing improvements across city services, public safety, youth programs, and economic development.
“As I stand here today, I have the honor and privilege to reflect on the past year, and I am proud to say that 2025 tells a clear story,” Moran said. “A story of momentum built on stability, on progress that defines who we are as a city.”
He credited city employees, nonprofit partners, faith leaders, businesses, and residents for contributing to that progress, asking attendees from each sector to stand in recognition of their role in the city’s forward movement.
“To you, I say thank you because of you is that we are moving forward,” he said.
Investing in Youth and Education
Moran highlighted the City Summer Youth Program as one of the administration’s most meaningful investments. Now in its fourth year, the program provided paid, hands-on work experience to 53 students in 2025, primarily from the Reading School District and Berks Catholic.
Students worked across city departments, partnered with community organizations including the Reading Public Library and the Salvation Army, and participated in financial literacy training that led several students to open their first bank accounts. College visits to Reading Area Community College and Alvernia University were also part of the program.
“Every child deserves a real chance to succeed,” Moran said. “That is exactly what led me to launch the City Summer Youth Program.”
He noted that some participants are now preparing to attend college, and one student was hired by the city following completion of the program.
Moran also pointed to Reading Area Community College’s recent designation as the second-ranked nursing program in Pennsylvania as an example of how local institutions support workforce development and long-term economic stability.
City Operations and Service Delivery
According to Moran, internal improvements within city government contributed to faster response times and more reliable services in 2025. The City Service Center—formerly known as the Citizen Service Center—handled 22,489 calls from residents, while community development staff resolved thousands of service requests more efficiently than in previous years.
“Our progress really rests on one essential foundation: the people who do the work,” Moran said.
He highlighted staffing improvements, noting that despite a competitive job market, the city is maintaining an average hiring timeline of about two months while building a more stable workforce.
The mayor also announced investments in technology platforms such as OpenGov and Tyler systems, aimed at improving transparency, financial management, and access to information. He said those changes are reinforcing a culture of accountability while helping departments track performance and solve problems more effectively.
Public Safety and Crime Reduction
Public safety was a central focus of the address, with Moran reporting significant declines in crime across Reading in 2025. With 154 of 175 authorized police positions filled, officers responded to more than 41,000 calls for service.
“Even with that workload, serious crimes declined by 14% year over year,” Moran said.
He reported a 17% reduction in robberies, a more than 20% drop in aggravated assaults, and continued decreases in property crimes including burglaries and motor vehicle thefts. The city also recorded 12 consecutive months of double-digit crime reduction.
Gun violence indicators improved as well, with shots-fired incidents reduced by roughly 40%. Moran credited proactive policing, targeted patrol deployments, and expanded use of technology for those gains.
The city’s video surveillance unit now monitors more than 220 cameras, with plans to add 150 more in the coming year, supported in part by a $60,000 anonymous donation.
In 2025, the police department’s vice unit recovered nearly $83,000 in cash, seized 38 firearms, and removed significant quantities of illegal drugs from the streets, including a 10-pound methamphetamine seizure valued at more than $200,000.
“Illegal drugs do not belong in our streets, plain and simple,” Moran said.
Fire Department Response and Preparedness
Moran praised the Reading Fire Department for its performance during major incidents and daily operations. He highlighted a three-alarm fire on North Fifth Street that displaced 38 residents but resulted in no fatalities.
“No lives were lost, and no occupants were reported trapped,” he said, noting the coordinated response from firefighters, the Red Cross, local businesses, and the school district.
Firefighters responded to more than 3,000 calls in 2025, including over 2,000 fire-related incidents and more than 5,000 EMS-related calls. Response times remained within established benchmarks, and the department completed the year with no firefighter or civilian fire fatalities.
Moran also recognized Fire Chief James Stout Jr., who announced his retirement after years of service leading the department.
“Chief, on behalf of the City of Reading, thank you for your service,” Moran said.
Infrastructure and Capital Investment
The mayor reported that the city completed 31 capital projects in 2025, totaling more than $24 million in investment. Since the start of his administration, Reading has paved 22 miles of roadway, representing more than $28 million in street improvements.
Public buildings saw extensive upgrades, including accessibility improvements at the Reading Public Library, elevator and HVAC renovations at City Hall, and energy-efficiency upgrades across city facilities.
The city also invested in parks and recreational spaces, completing major improvements at Reading Iron Playground, rehabilitating the Barbey’s Park splash pad, and advancing plans for future park and pool projects.
A milestone project highlighted by Moran was the opening of Caramel & Friends Dog Park at Schlegel Park, created by converting unused tennis courts into Reading’s first official dog park.
“It was a simple idea,” Moran said, “but a powerful reminder of what shared spaces can do for a community.”
He also announced that the Pagoda renovation remains on track for completion in early 2026, noting recent mechanical and electrical upgrades that allowed the landmark to be illuminated during the holiday season for the first time in years.
Downtown Development and Economic Growth
Moran detailed multiple downtown redevelopment efforts, including new housing, retail, and mixed-use projects. He highlighted the opening of Supernatural Produce on North Fourth Street, a $19 million investment that brought a full-service grocery store to a neighborhood long considered a food desert.
“It expands access to healthy, culturally relevant food and creates more than 150 jobs,” Moran said.
The mayor also discussed progress on the city’s CRIZ program, passenger rail planning through the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority, and letters of intent for large-scale redevelopment projects, including the former Dana site and the Fifth and Penn Street corridor.
“These projects reflect the direction Reading is moving towards,” Moran said.
Looking Ahead
Moran closed the address by emphasizing accountability, long-term planning, and shared responsibility as the drivers of Reading’s progress.
“Our momentum is not accidental,” he said. “It’s the result of choices, sacrifices, and shared responsibility.”
He encouraged residents to remain engaged, expressing confidence that Reading’s best chapter lies ahead.
“If we continue to stay focused, stay disciplined, and stay committed to one another,” Moran said, “Reading’s momentum will not just be visible. It will be lasting.”
