July 4th fireworks will return to Torrance next year for the first time since budget cuts forced the elimination of the annual Wilson Park show in 2011, Mayor Pat Furey announced at Thursday’s annual State of the City speech.

Furey provided no details about where the fireworks show would be held and how the city would pay for it. “This popular event has been missed by many,” he said without elaborating during the luncheon at the Doubletree by Hilton sponsored by the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce.

The proposal even caught City Manager LeRoy Jackson by surprise. He declined comment Thursday afternoon when asked if he was aware of the idea ahead of the mayor’s comments.

Furey said he would soon bring “information to council” that will allow the show to return.

Furey’s public support for the proposal marks a dramatic turnaround in his position on a city-sponsored fireworks show.

In 2013, when then council colleague Tom Brewer suggested resurrecting a Fourth of July fireworks display, Furey was part of a 4-3 council majority that shot down the idea. His concern at the time was cost.

“While it’s a great show for a few hours in Wilson Park on the Fourth of July, it’s also the cost of probably a firefighter, maybe two firefighters, a police officer and many other employees we would have with us throughout the year to assist us,” he said at the time.

Furey didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking additional comment.

Jackson said possibilities included holding a smaller version of the show at the Civic Center campus.

During his State of the City talk, Furey also announced:

• The city is looking for funding to operate a “rubber tire trolly service” in Torrance much like the one in San Pedro.

• Later this year, Torrance Transit will inaugurate an expanded South Bay-to-downtown-Los-Angeles bus service that will operate all day and on weekends.

• The city is pursuing the creation of an International Economic Development Advisory Board to “pave the way for increased international investment and trade with Torrance.”

• NYX Cosmetics, a division of French-based L’Oreal, the world’s largest cosmetics company, will open a $500,000 distribution center in Torrance and open a retail store at Del Amo Fashion Center. Furey did not say how many jobs would be created.

• Furey is planning a trip to China soon to “create relationships with interested cities,” which presumably means additional sister city relationships like the one Torrance has with Kashiwa, Japan.

• A new, easier to navigate city website will be rolled out by this time next year.

• A 5K race will be added to the annual Armed Forces Day Celebration in May.