San Ramon State of the City: Armstrong Highlights Growth, Safety & Community

San Ramon Mayor Mark Armstrong highlighted the city’s ongoing recovery from recent earthquake activity, ambitious redevelopment plans, and commitment to fiscal responsibility during his second State of the City address on March 4, 2026. The speech, delivered at the San Ramon Community Center, drew dozens of community members, elected officials, and business leaders.

Armstrong opened his remarks referencing a comment from Innovation Tri-Valley CEO Katie Marcel, who expressed excitement about “what’s shaking in San Ramon,” a nod to the earthquake swarm that has impacted the region. He then detailed his personal connection to the city, explaining how he first considered San Ramon after retiring from the U.S. Army in 2004 and taking a job at Camp Parks.

“Everyone was saying San Ramon,” Armstrong recalled, noting that he grew up in Palo Alto and was initially unfamiliar with the area. “They were telling me about what a great city it was, safe city, elegant city, great schools, things like that.” He and his wife, Brenda, ultimately chose San Ramon to raise their four children, all of whom graduated from California High School, drawn by the city’s reputation as a desirable place to live and its highly-regarded school district.

Armstrong emphasized that the qualities attracting residents – public safety, quality schools, recreational opportunities, and a sense of community – represent the city’s core values. He pointed to the recently completed Iron Horse Trail overcrossing at Bollinger Canyon Road as a tangible example of these values in action, improving regional connectivity and pedestrian safety.

The mayor outlined how these values inform the City Council’s strategic goals, which in turn guide the city manager’s function. He stressed that these priorities are not merely aspirational, but rather a concrete “work plan” for city governance.

Public safety, particularly earthquake preparedness, remains a top concern. Armstrong referenced a recent town hall meeting, held the week prior to the State of the City address, that drew hundreds of residents eager to discuss preparedness in the wake of earthquakes reaching magnitude 4.2.

Addressing the city’s demographic shifts, Armstrong acknowledged the growing senior population and the need to address their specific needs. He also addressed the ongoing housing challenge, noting the city is tasked with planning for over 5,000 new housing units by 2031, with a significant portion concentrated in the Bishop Ranch area.

The redevelopment of Bishop Ranch, transforming the sprawling office park into a mixed-apply downtown neighborhood, is a key component of this plan. Armstrong highlighted recent business openings and revitalization efforts in existing shopping centers, emphasizing the city’s role in fostering a thriving business environment. “We’re creating that great quality of life, creating the environment where businesses can thrive and operate,” he said.

Armstrong also addressed the city’s budget deficit, a significant challenge during his previous term as a City Council member and his current role as mayor. Drastic cuts were implemented in 2024, and Measure N, a 1% sales tax increase, was passed to address the shortfall. Whereas the sales tax revenue has provided some relief – approximately $13.5 million in additional funds – Armstrong affirmed the city’s commitment to fiscal prudence, stating there would be no new positions or programs without corresponding cuts, no debt spending, and no “unsustainable commitments.”

“We’ve been able to restore some of the things we cut in the previous budget,” Armstrong said, “and probably more importantly, we’ve been able to maintain a lot of those essential services and programs that you said are so important to you.”

Armstrong concluded by thanking residents for their engagement and contributions to the community, emphasizing that San Ramon’s strength lies in its active and involved citizenry. “What makes San Ramon such a great city is because of what you value, that you’ve communicated to us,” he said. “It is not just a great city, but it’s a city of neighbors, and I’m part of that neighborhood as well.”