January 13, 2026 3:40 a.m.  

On Monday night, Roseburg Mayor Larry Rich delivered the annual State of the City address during the first council meeting of the new year.

A city release said in the speech, Rich noted accomplishments in the past year – including urban growth boundary adjustments to allow new home construction and recreational trail expansions, major grants won for capital improvement projects, a $6.3 million renovation of the historic Stewart Park Drive bridge, and the city rallying in response to spring flooding.

Rich also called attention to the expansion of an urban renewal area, city-supported progress on the community college medical degree programs and a continuing partnership that assisted more people seeking stable housing, prohibited camping convictions, renewed efforts for downtown to rejoin the Oregon Main Street program, and city sponsored flower baskets, holiday lights and the Halloween parade downtown.

Before the close of his speech, Rich outlined major projects the city is working on in 2026 – including master plan updates for Stewart Park, the Water System and the library, a preliminary plan for Charter Oaks sewer improvements to facilitate housing construction, and more. Rich also talked about council goals of addressing homelessness through such solutions as an urban campground, park improvements including Brown Park’s renovation, trail construction at Sunshine Park and field upgrades at Fir Grove Park, plus an airport runway rehabilitation design project.

The speech from Mayor Rich, an accompanying PowerPoint slideshow and the 2025 Year-End Report will be available on the city’s website: www.cityofroseburg.org via the https://www.cityofroseburg.org/your-government/mayor-council/state-city-message