Mitchell Silver, candidate for Raleigh City Council, District A, answers our questions
Raleigh voters will pick a new mayor and City Council members this November.
All eight council seats, including the mayor’s, are up for grabs, with all the incumbents except for current Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin seeking another two-year term.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Early voting runs from Thursday, Oct. 17, through Saturday, Nov. 2.
To help inform voters across the state, this candidate questionnaire is available to be republished by local publications in North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The News & Observer to help make this coverage possible.
Name: Mitchell Silver
District/seat: Raleigh City Council, District A
Political party: Democrat
Age as of Nov. 5, 2024: 64
Campaign website: silverforraleigh.com
Current occupation: urban planner
Education: Bachelor of Architecture, Pratt Institute Master of Urban Planning, Hunter College
Offices sought/held: None
Please list any notable government or civic involvement.
I have served in local government roles for over 30 years, including Raleigh’s Planning Director and Chief Planning Officer from 2005 until 2014, when I was appointed Parks Commissioner of New York City. I have served in numerous other city planning positions including Deputy Planning Director, Town Manager, and Board of Appeals member.
Which city council district do you live in? A
What is the top issue facing Raleigh now and how would you address it?
The top concern I hear from voters across North Raleigh is housing affordability, particularly for low- and middle-income families. Housing is a human right, and the City Council needs to be bold and innovative to guarantee that housing is affordable and attainable for all — and that existing residents can remain comfortably in their homes. Raleigh’s affordable housing bond was a good start, but we need to continue to invest directly as a city in preserving existing affordable housing, community land trusts and housing trust funds, and homebuyer assistance. We can also encourage housing affordability throughout the city by allowing additional density in the right places, identified by our Comprehensive Plan, to alleviate demand pushing up prices in neighborhoods.
What is your strategy for increasing affordable housing in Raleigh?
As outlined in my response above, we must focus on preserving existing affordable housing and investing in space for future housing developments. We also need to keep development consistent with our comprehensive plan so that we grow in the right places — allowing new density and market-rate housing where appropriate and protecting affordable existing neighborhoods, particularly in marginalized communities. I would also advocate for a city anti-displacement strategy to ensure longtime residents can stay in their homes.
Should the city be more aggressive about requiring affordable units from developers or partner with nonprofits?
We need to do all of the above and more. The city should ensure that development is consistent with our comprehensive plan and a long-term vision for the city that is more affordable, equitable and sustainable. We should continue to explore options such as density bonuses to include below-market-rate units in new developments and invest in protecting existing affordable housing. We should also continue to pursue partnerships with Wake County and nonprofits to grow funds for preserving affordable housing and creating new supportive and affordable housing developments.
Do you think Raleigh can support concert venues both downtown and in Dix Park?
Yes. Red Hat is an important cultural space that is invaluable to Raleigh’s small business community. The City Council has now voted 6-0 to keep Red Hat downtown, and I agree with their decision. But I believe the city should have done a better job of communicating with the public and presenting the timeline and options for relocating Red Hat in this process.
Would you describe Raleigh’s growth as too fast, too slow or just right?
Raleigh is growing rapidly; there is no denying that. Raleigh is growing because our city is a great place to live, raise a family, start a business, or build a career — there isn’t a lever we can pull to slow or accelerate growth. I’m running for City Council because I believe we need to do a better job planning for the current and expected growth in the future. We need to be more strategic about where and how we grow and ensure new development follows a clear plan that is predictable and communicated to residents.
Do you think Raleigh is losing too many historic properties? If so, how should this be addressed?
Throughout my career as an urban planner, I have advocated for preserving historic buildings and creating cultural and overlay districts to acknowledge the sacred places, stories and events of the past that reflect cities’ diversity and shared identity. As Parks Commissioner of New York City, I worked with the Obama Administration to advocate for the designation of the Stonewall National Monument to recognize the sacrifices and struggles of the LGBTQ community throughout history. In Raleigh, we have seen homes and sites, particularly in historically marginalized communities lost to new development. The City Council should work with the community to identify places important to the history of Raleigh’s diverse communities and ensure they are preserved.
This story was originally published September 27, 2024 at 9:38 AM.