Mayor Jackie Millet delivered the 2019 State of the City address May 9 at the Lone Tree Arts Center, highlighting the city's achievements and growth over the past 20 years.

To a crowd of about 200, Millet's presentation focused on a theme of history. She showed photos from the city's early days and compared them to today, including the police force, government staff, total revenue and expenses and various development projects.

“What does all this investment lead to?” Millet said. “It leads to thriving businesses. The success of our business community in Lone Tree and the growth of our business community really validates our forefather's vision that has come to fruition over the two-plus decades the city has been in existence.”

Millet pointed to the May 17 grand opening of the Southeast Light Rail Extension project as a driving force for the city's development. The rail extension features three new stations south of the Lincoln Station on Park Meadows Drive. Millet said the promise of the station is what brought key businesses to the city, including Sky Ridge Medical Center, Charles Schwab and Kiewit.

“We really needed some additional services into the city. We've seen new hotels. We have a shortage of day cares in the City of Lone Tree and we're always looking for dining options,” Millet said.

Millet credited the past leaders and residents of the city for their vision that has started to come to fruition in the city, including the vote to annex into the RTD Tax District, which eventually brought the original light rail stops at County Line and Lincoln.

The mayor lauded the city's growth in retail.

“Revenues today are 20 times that of what our auspicious start was, thanks in large part to the Park Meadows Retail Resort, our economic engine,” Millet said. “We really do believe there's been a good ROI on the investments in the city…You can't go wrong when you invest in Lone Tree.”

Millet also touted the city's low sales tax rate and the lack of a property tax, calling the city's government “lean and efficient.”

Among the major accomplishments Millet oversaw in 2018 include the grand opening of the Leaf Pedestrian Bridge, completing Phase One of the County Line Road construction project, the opening of Kimmer Park, installing electric vehicle charging stations, mobilizing the installment of technology for stoplights, finalizing an agreement with Kiewit to build a major corporate campus in the city and, of course, the eventual opening of the rail extension project.

Millet gave a glimpse at what the future will look like by addressing the plans for RidgeGate East, which includes a city center and residential villages

“It's going to be anchored by our light rail expansion,” Millet said. “Lone Tree City Center will become the crown jewel to some extent, but we are going to get our roots of a gathering community.”