By all accounts, the city of South Jordan enjoyed some major achievements in 2025, and Mayor Dawn Ramsey feels that 2026 looks equally promising.

That was the message during her third annual State of the City address she presented on Jan. 13. The event was held in the Terrace Room at The Ballpark at America First Square, a complex that was among the many new openings and developments in the city last year.

“By all accounts, 2025 was an extraordinary year,” she said. “We welcomed many new businesses, many new visitors who came to South Jordan for the first time. Between the Salt Lake Bees baseball games in this park; the events held in America First Square in the amphitheater, Megaplex entertainment complex and ice skating rink; and the new businesses in our community, that kind of regional exposure matters as our community’s reputation continues to grow.”

After introducing members of the city council and saluting other city staff members, Ramsey presented a list of achievements for the city during 2025. They included the ballpark opening for the first Bees game in April, the addition of a third TRAX line station adjacent to the ballpark, the continued development of Downtown Daybreak, the city’s awards for its water purification projects, opening of a new South Jordan passport office in city hall and new pickleball courts bringing the total in the city to 18. She said more than 380 new businesses opened and over 9,000 jobs were created.

“There’s a good reason why, for the 17th straight year, Daybreak has been recognized as one of the best master planned communities in the country,” Ramsey said.

The year also included the announcement of plans for a new 17,000 square foot senior housing project, new swim lanes that will soon open at the South Jordan Fitness and Aquatics Center, and the groundbreaking later this year for a regional arts center. Development has begun on a huge pickleball complex that Wade Williams of Utah Black Diamond professional pickleball team discussed at the event, a complex that when complete will feature 48 more courts along with a large grandstand area. The complex will host regional and national events in the future once it's completed in 2027.

“We have so many exciting things happening in this city, and we couldn’t do it without the help and support of our partners like the Larry H. Miller Company, the Ivory Innovations Team, Okland Construction and the Boyer Company,” the mayor said. “Public private partnerships are so important and meaningful, and we’re so grateful for them.”

The evening also included comments from Porter Openshaw with Ivory Innovations, who are finalizing plans for the senior center complex to be built in The District; Utah Rep. Tracy Miller whose district includes portions of South Jordan; Williams from the Utah Black Diamonds and Jennie Taylor of the Major Brent Taylor Foundation who will bring a 9/11 exhibit to the Salt Lake Valley for the first time in memory of the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks. Much more info to come on that project.

Prior to the start of Ramsey’s address, the National Anthem was performed by the Herriman High School Madrigals, the Pledge of Allegiance was led by veteran Kenneth Brown and an invocation was given by Chris and Hannah Bechtel of the Sego Church. 

Jennie Taylor of the Major Brent Taylor Foundation discussed plans to bring the 9/11 exhibit to South Jordan this coming year to commemorate the events of Sept. 11, 2001. (Tom Haraldsen/City Journals)