January 16, 2003

Houston Mayor Lee Brown delivered his final State of the City Address to a large crowd at the George R. Brown Convention Center on Thursday.

It does not seem all that long ago that I stood here and gave my first State of the City address," Brown said.  "Now I begin my final year as Houston’s mayor."

Brown cited the current budget shortfall as a major problem still facing his administration, but listed several areas where progress has been made.

"The next mayor will not have to preside over the revitalization of our downtown area, including the construction of four new high rise office buildings, Phase II of Bayou Place, a new $40 million family aquarium attraction and a number of hotels - following non-existent hotel development since the late 1970s," Brown said.  "The next mayor will not have to marshal all resources to rebuild much of our street system and utility infrastructure."

A major problem to be resolved is expansion of the city's drainage system, offering a new user fee for storm sewer projects.

"Note that I said 'fee', not 'free'," Brown quipped.