Flashback to the 1980s as Rochester Hills Celebrates 35 Years with VIDEO

Mayor Barnett Celebrates Rochester Hills Success and Outlines Bold Plans for the Future

Mayor Bryan K. Barnett delivered his totally awesome 80s themed State of the City Address at Rochester Adams High School taking the audience back to the decade of bold colors, style, and iconic music. By combining musical talent with engaging visuals, Rochester Hills has cemented its reputation in the region for delivering the highest-quality interactive State of the City experience to their audience.

The 2019 lineup featured a diverse range of acts. DJ Joey Namou provided the soundtrack for the night from an LED boombox. Gold Vibrations, Oakland University’s coed and nationally ranked a cappella chorus kicked off the evening performing two 80s hit songs “You Make My Dreams Come True” and “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.” Taking the stage for the first time, the United Shore Dance Team brought Mayor Barnett out to the song “I’m so Excited” by the Pointer Sisters. Former Lt. Governor Brian Calley performed the Star Spangled Banner to an enthusiastic crowd. Chris Cardimen serenaded the mayor’s Innovation Hills Park update – the city’s first park in 25 years – with a live saxophone backdrop. Over $1.8 million in donations, grants, and in-kind support has been raised. New park designs were also unveiled, including the unique glow in the dark pathways that light the park at night.

“Over the last few years, we have worked hard to constantly reinvent how we engage our audience, raising the bar with dancing, singing, and special surprises,” states Mayor Bryan K. Barnett. “These positive new experiences create inspired, engaged residents who are informed about what’s happening in their city.”

While celebrating the past successes, the city shared the future transformational projects for 2019. The latest Auburn Road Corridor Project plans were displayed on screen as Mayor Barnett shared how this $12 million dollar investment into the 6 block segment between Culbertson Avenue and Dequindre Road will create a walkable, downtown district atmosphere. Plans include more parking options, outdoor seating, lighting, and includes a pocket park featuring the city’s first splash pad.

35 Years of Success

• When asked about living in Rochester Hills, 97% reported they were satisfied or very satisfied. The data was from a recent survey executed by the Oakland University Public Affairs Research Laboratory.
• Over the past 12 months, Rochester Hills welcomed another seven new, high tech companies and helped many others expand their operations, resulting in over 450 new and retained jobs and over $78 million in new investment. The city continues to have record low unemployment at just 2.7%.
• Rochester Hills Fire Department was ranked in the top 8 in the entire state of Michigan and in the top 5% of fire departments in the country.
• The Rochester Hills Department of Public Services was named in the top 100 fleets out of 35,000 fleets in the country.

Three individuals were recognized by Mayor Barnett with Community Excellence awards for their exceptional efforts to provide a voice and empower individuals locally and across the country. The individual Community Excellence award was presented to NASCAR driver Brad Keslowski. Keslowski was honored for his charity, the Checkered Flag Foundation, which has supplied over 250 organizations supporting veterans and first responders.

The group Community Excellence award was given to two Rochester Adams students, Mena and Zena Nasiri, for their efforts to increase the number of books with female Muslim roles in school media centers. Through their nonprofit the Girls of the Crescent, they have collected 200 books to add to 21 school media centers.

The evening ended with flips and kicks by Deborah’s Stage Door Dancers. Mayor Barnett and his wife Corrin cut through the dancers – in step – to the sounds of Kenny Loggins’ 1984 hit Footloose, with a blast of confetti to close the show (also know as the State of the City Address).

Watch the 2019 Rochester Hills State of the City Address