Candidate Info Viewer (v6) - Wake County Democratic Party

Mitchell Silver

Raleigh City Council District A

Candidate Statement:

Mitchell Silver is the former Chief Planning Officer and Planning Director for the City of Raleigh and former New York City Parks Commissioner.

As Raleigh's Planning Director, Silver spearheaded the effort to craft Raleigh's 2030 Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance. It was a plan crafted with significant community input that envisioned a future for Raleigh's growth grounded in equity and sustainability principles. Silver also led the effort to create a new multi-modal transit hub - now Raleigh's Union Station.

In 2014, Silver was recruited to serve as Parks Commissioner of New York City. As Parks Commissioner, he delivered over 800 capital projects - adding, expanding, and improving parks and green spaces throughout the city that had been neglected. He prioritized environmental protection and sustainability efforts within the parks system, reducing city dependency on fossil fuels, and completing the planting of a million trees to restore tree canopy.

As a Raleigh City Council Member, Mitchell's priority will be to ensure Raleigh is a city that all residents - regardless of age, income, or background - can live, grow, and thrive.

Mitchell and his wife, Mary, live in North Raleigh.

Direct Quote:

Mitchell believes Raleigh needs to get back to the basics of planning - focusing on people first, and being purpose-driven in how our city grows and builds.

Issues:

Affordable Housing

Housing is a human right and Raleigh needs to be bold and innovative to provide more housing and make housing more affordable for everyone. Mitchell's plan for affordable housing is focused on: directly investing in creating new affordable housing units, and strengthening partnerships with Wake County and non-profits for affordable and supportive housing projects; expanding housing choice, allowing additional density - such as townhomes and duplexes - in the right places, alleviating demand pushing up prices in neighborhoods; protecting existing affordable communities and providing property tax relief to ensure longtime residents can remain comfortably in their homes; and creating community

Affordable HousingHousing is a human right and Raleigh needs to be bold and innovative to provide more housing and make housing more affordable for everyone. Mitchell's plan for affordable housing is focused on: directly investing in creating new affordable housing units, and strengthening partnerships with Wake County and non-profits for affordable and supportive housing projects; expanding housing choice, allowing additional density - such as townhomes and duplexes - in the right places, alleviating demand pushing up prices in neighborhoods; protecting existing affordable communities and providing property tax relief to ensure longtime residents can remain comfortably in their homes; and creating community

Quality Growth

As a professional planner, Mitchell knows Raleigh's growth should benefit all residents, accommodating needed growth while keeping our neighborhoods affordable and maintaining the soul of our communities: keeping development consistent with our Comprehensive Plan, so that growth is predictable and new development happens in areas that make sense; creating an anti-displacement plan to protect existing residents, property, and spaces -- particularly in historically marginalized communities; and ensuring public input and community engagement on new development projects, so residents are informed and have a say in potential changes in their neighborhood.

Quality GrowthAs a professional planner, Mitchell knows Raleigh's growth should benefit all residents, accommodating needed growth while keeping our neighborhoods affordable and maintaining the soul of our communities: keeping development consistent with our Comprehensive Plan, so that growth is predictable and new development happens in areas that make sense; creating an anti-displacement plan to protect existing residents, property, and spaces -- particularly in historically marginalized communities; and ensuring public input and community engagement on new development projects, so residents are informed and have a say in potential changes in their neighborhood.

Public Health and Safety

Mitchell is proud to be endorsed by firefighters and law enforcement officers. Healthy and safe communities are key to creating a Raleigh where everyone can live, grow, and thrive. On the City Council, Mitchell will support efforts to make Raleigh a leader in community safety, including: increasing pay and benefits for law enforcement and first responders, ensuring those who protect our community can afford to live and raise a family here in Raleigh; investing in sufficient infrastructure and personnel across the city to lower response times and maintain the safety of all neighborhoods; and building partnerships with civilian counselors to ensure we respond to substance use, mental health, a

Public Health and SafetyMitchell is proud to be endorsed by firefighters and law enforcement officers. Healthy and safe communities are key to creating a Raleigh where everyone can live, grow, and thrive. On the City Council, Mitchell will support efforts to make Raleigh a leader in community safety, including: increasing pay and benefits for law enforcement and first responders, ensuring those who protect our community can afford to live and raise a family here in Raleigh; investing in sufficient infrastructure and personnel across the city to lower response times and maintain the safety of all neighborhoods; and building partnerships with civilian counselors to ensure we respond to substance use, mental health, a

Affordable Housing

Housing is a human right and Raleigh needs to be bold and innovative to provide more housing and make housing more affordable for everyone. Mitchell's plan for affordable housing is focused on: directly investing in creating new affordable housing units, and strengthening partnerships with Wake County and non-profits for affordable and supportive housing projects; expanding housing choice, allowing additional density - such as townhomes and duplexes - in the right places, alleviating demand pushing up prices in neighborhoods; protecting existing affordable communities and providing property tax relief to ensure longtime residents can remain comfortably in their homes; and creating community

Affordable HousingHousing is a human right and Raleigh needs to be bold and innovative to provide more housing and make housing more affordable for everyone. Mitchell's plan for affordable housing is focused on: directly investing in creating new affordable housing units, and strengthening partnerships with Wake County and non-profits for affordable and supportive housing projects; expanding housing choice, allowing additional density - such as townhomes and duplexes - in the right places, alleviating demand pushing up prices in neighborhoods; protecting existing affordable communities and providing property tax relief to ensure longtime residents can remain comfortably in their homes; and creating community

Quality Growth

As a professional planner, Mitchell knows Raleigh's growth should benefit all residents, accommodating needed growth while keeping our neighborhoods affordable and maintaining the soul of our communities: keeping development consistent with our Comprehensive Plan, so that growth is predictable and new development happens in areas that make sense; creating an anti-displacement plan to protect existing residents, property, and spaces -- particularly in historically marginalized communities; and ensuring public input and community engagement on new development projects, so residents are informed and have a say in potential changes in their neighborhood.

Quality GrowthAs a professional planner, Mitchell knows Raleigh's growth should benefit all residents, accommodating needed growth while keeping our neighborhoods affordable and maintaining the soul of our communities: keeping development consistent with our Comprehensive Plan, so that growth is predictable and new development happens in areas that make sense; creating an anti-displacement plan to protect existing residents, property, and spaces -- particularly in historically marginalized communities; and ensuring public input and community engagement on new development projects, so residents are informed and have a say in potential changes in their neighborhood.

Public Health and Safety

Mitchell is proud to be endorsed by firefighters and law enforcement officers. Healthy and safe communities are key to creating a Raleigh where everyone can live, grow, and thrive. On the City Council, Mitchell will support efforts to make Raleigh a leader in community safety, including: increasing pay and benefits for law enforcement and first responders, ensuring those who protect our community can afford to live and raise a family here in Raleigh; investing in sufficient infrastructure and personnel across the city to lower response times and maintain the safety of all neighborhoods; and building partnerships with civilian counselors to ensure we respond to substance use, mental health, a

Public Health and SafetyMitchell is proud to be endorsed by firefighters and law enforcement officers. Healthy and safe communities are key to creating a Raleigh where everyone can live, grow, and thrive. On the City Council, Mitchell will support efforts to make Raleigh a leader in community safety, including: increasing pay and benefits for law enforcement and first responders, ensuring those who protect our community can afford to live and raise a family here in Raleigh; investing in sufficient infrastructure and personnel across the city to lower response times and maintain the safety of all neighborhoods; and building partnerships with civilian counselors to ensure we respond to substance use, mental health, a

External Candidate Links:

Mitchell Silver's Website