Huntington in Progress: May 13, 2025 Update
Mayor Farrell’s City Update – Quick, Clear, and To the Point
I’m excited to launch a new kind of update: focused on what matters, without the fluff. Just a few scrolls to stay informed on what we’re doing, why it matters, and what’s next.
🔒 Public Safety
Creating a Safer Huntington: We’re turning your feedback from neighborhood listening sessions into action so our city is not only safer, but you feel safer. Next up: we're building a real-time public safety dashboard to track progress and keep City Hall accountable.
The Request for Proposal for construction of the new Westmoreland Fire Station was issued last week. Contractor bids are due June 5th.
Reducing Homelessness: We signed an agreement with Valley Health to equip and operate a new shelter at 96 3rd Avenue West, now called the Huntington Homeless Services Hub. Renovations are underway, and we’re on track to open before winter. This project will help move people off the streets and onto a path toward long-term stability.
🛠 Infrastructure
Rebuilding Our Wastewater Infrastructure: Work is underway to modernize our sewer and stormwater systems.
Contractor bids for the new wastewater treatment plant to be built in Westmoreland have been extended to June 12th.
In Highlawn, the first phase of construction has started to separate storm and sanitary sewers and install a new pump station. This work will help reduce street flooding at 3rd Ave & 24th St. and 5th Ave & 25th St.
💼 Economy
Housing. If we’re going to grow the city, we have to fix housing.
Too few homes for sale. Not enough apartments to rent. Families stretched thin and new workers struggling to find a place to live. It’s the kind of problem that builds slowly over time until it starts holding a city back.
We’re developing a pilot project with community partners to increase supply, improve quality, and keep costs down.
We also plan to streamline permitting, reduce fees, and pursue smart zoning reforms to make it easier to build or renovate.
More to come soon.
🎥 Watch: My most recent Mayor’s Report to City Council
💧 One Fun Win
AD Lewis Pool is on track to open Memorial Day weekend. 🎉 In the past, the pool very rarely opened on time. We plan to change that. Our AD Lewis staff, public works department, and others are working hard to try to make it happen, proof that we’re serious about doing the ordinary things extraordinarily well.
