{"id":2293,"date":"2015-08-29T08:37:38","date_gmt":"2015-08-29T12:37:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theraleighcommons.org\/raleighdla\/\/?p=2293"},"modified":"2018-04-27T15:13:30","modified_gmt":"2018-04-27T19:13:30","slug":"an-interview-with-city-councilor-at-large-mary-ann-baldwin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theraleighcommons.org\/raleighdla\/city-government\/an-interview-with-city-councilor-at-large-mary-ann-baldwin","title":{"rendered":"An Interview with City Councilor At-Large, Mary Ann Baldwin"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"F8P_1341<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The City of Raleigh will hold elections for Mayor and City Council on October 6th. \u00a0In the at-large city council race, incumbents\u00a0Mary Ann Baldwin<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Russ Stephenson<\/a>\u00a0will face\u00a0Matt Tomasulo<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Craig S. Ralph<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This blog will include interviews with each candidate, with answers published as they are received.<\/p>\n

Mary Ann Baldwin\u00a0is an at-large member of City Council, having served since 2007. \u00a0The DLA asked Mary Ann\u00a0a series of questions.<\/p>\n

Here are her\u00a0answers:<\/p>\n

What factors need to be balanced in providing for downtown Raleigh’s growth as a vital, sustainable, creative environment for both residents and businesses?<\/b><\/p>\n

Raleigh\u2019s population will double in the next 20 years. To be prepared, we developed a new comprehensive plan beginning eight years ago. It outlines our vision, goals, strategies, and tactics \u2013 covering everything from density to sustainability to creativity. It also identifies eight growth areas, one being downtown.<\/p>\n

We need to balance the fear of growth with the reality; the concern about density with the alternative (sprawl); the development of high-end housing with the creation of affordable housing; and the desires of downtown residents with the needs of thriving businesses, coupled with the expectations of visitors and tourists. These are complex issues \u2013 not a sound bite. I have to commend the Glenwood South Neighborhood Collaborative<\/a>, which has done a good job working together as a community, bringing together residents and merchants to talk and even disagree. Being adversarial accomplishes little; being sensitive to other people\u2019s desires, listening to all sides and acting with a good heart is the key to success. It\u2019s all about balance and compromise.<\/p>\n

We also have to strive for a better retail mix using strategies and incentives to meet residents\u2019 needs; respect and celebrate the historic and African-American neighborhoods that surround downtown; and create open space, new parks and greenway connections to ensure a great quality of life.<\/p>\n

Having served on City Council since 2007 and as co-founder of Innovate Raleigh with its mission of connecting entrepreneurs with resources and promoting innovation, what do you see as your most significant accomplishments of the past eight years?\u00a0 What changes have had the greatest impact on the character of Raleigh, and what are the greatest opportunities going forward?<\/b><\/p>\n

I am very proud of being a co-founder of Innovate Raleigh<\/a>.\u00a0 This effort was born out of necessity. We were in the midst of the recession and young people were having trouble finding jobs. There was a lot of talk about creating incubators for technology, art and fashion. What resulted was a community discussion that served as a catalyst for entrepreneurship and innovation, the formation of HQ Raleigh<\/a> (which now serves more than 100 startups), a direct flight to\/from San Francisco, the creation of Raleigh M.A.I.N. Event<\/a> (which celebrates the music, arts and innovative events happening in Raleigh during September), and the creation of a unique position in the City of Raleigh \u2013 a manager of entrepreneurship and innovation whose main job is to connect startups and help make them successful.<\/p>\n

Another significant accomplishment revolves around the potential redevelopment of the Warehouse District and the Moore Square District. I have to give my dog credit for some of this\u2026☺. Walking downtown with him helps me see things in a new light. While walking through the Warehouse District one morning, the streets were empty and void and I thought we should do more to make something happen. So I went to work. I approached Sharefile, which was later purchased by Citrix, and we had discussions about moving their company to the Warehouse District. Little did I know that it would lead to 700 new jobs in Citrix\/Sharefile\u2019s beautiful new facility \u2013 probably the most innovative work environment in the region.\u00a0 That\u2019s what I\u2019m proudest of. Taking a chance, having a vision, making the ask, and helping to make it happen. It\u2019s a huge win for our city.<\/p>\n

Likewise, I am very proud to have led the effort in the City\u2019s purchase of the former Salvation Army building. That effort took more than a year to get done \u2013 the City had never been involved in a land-banking purchase like this before. This action was very strategic, and it has the promise to rejuvenate the entire Moore Square District.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m gratified to have envisioned and led the efforts for two transformational projects on either side of downtown in areas with little economic development activity. Soon, they\u2019ll both be thriving, adding to our tax base and vitality.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m also proud of my role in the Moore Square issue known as \u201cBiscuit-gate.\u201d You may recall the firestorm that erupted over feeding the homeless in the park. I viewed this as an opportunity for leadership and stepped in the middle of the controversy. Through hearings and meetings and City Council directives, we were able to open the Oak City Outreach Center, where churches and charitable organizations now feed the homeless with dignity. We also have a long-term solution \u2013 a multi-service center with programs to assist the homeless with jobs, health care, and other issues. This is a partnership with the county. Bringing together so many diverse groups was key to success, and I\u2019m pretty proud of my role and the leadership from such organizations as the Raleigh \/ Wake Partnership to End Homelessness<\/a>, Catholic Charities<\/a>, the Raleigh Rescue Mission<\/a> and Love Wins Ministries<\/a>, among many others. Once again this is proof that collaboration is the key to success.<\/p>\n

Residents of downtown Raleigh find themselves diverging at a crossroads that finds expression through a focus on how to manage late night noise and shape what some view as rampant development. \u00a0 What guidance would you offer if you were sitting over a drink with friends from both camps?<\/b><\/p>\n

As the Chair of the City\u2019s Law & Public Safety Committee, I\u2019ve been dealing with this issue for months. When I attended the Downtown Raleigh Alliance\u2019s Fayetteville Street District meeting, I felt that people were talking over one another rather than talking to one another. The guidance is simple: be nice to one another. You get more with honey than vinegar. And who knows? You might even decide you like one another. Don\u2019t treat people like the enemy. Look for common ground.<\/p>\n

That may seem simplistic but I really believe that you can accomplish anything through kindness and collaboration. I would also meet them for that drink on a downtown sidewalk.<\/p>\n

What three adjectives would you use to describe what you love best about downtown Raleigh, and what is needed most to further develop those aspects?<\/b><\/p>\n

When I moved to Raleigh 26 years ago, the downtown was deserted after 5 pm. In fact, there was little reason to come here during the day unless you worked for the government. Even the museums were shoddy. I\u2019m not going to use adjectives, but instead I\u2019m going to say what I love best about downtown Raleigh.<\/p>\n

First \u2013 the entrepreneurs and connectors who are creating a city of innovation. The sense of community<\/i> is unlike anything I\u2019ve ever seen before. People here want to help each other, they want to connect you with people who can expand your social network or help you grow your business. I often describe it as a movement. You can see it, feel it and embrace it. It amazes and enthralls me every day.<\/p>\n

Second is the creativity<\/i> \u2013 artists, musicians, fashion designers, graphic designers, marketing gurus, social media geniuses, film makers, videographers, architects, engineers, makers, foodies, craft brewers, coders, and gamers. Because of NC State, we have thousands of people who have stayed in Raleigh and changed the city. A lot of cities can claim to be a city of innovation. But we can honestly say we are a city of innovation and<\/i> creativity.<\/p>\n

And third, I love the geographic, cultural and ethnic diversity<\/i> of downtown. We have historic neighborhoods, new high-rises, a main street with skyscrapers and historic character. We enjoy city squares and parks (although we need more of them), urban watering holes, the Nature Research Center, Marbles Kids Museum, the NC History Museum, Seaboard, Person Street, College Park, South Park, Chavis Park. Downtown is a place that celebrates the past, and looks forward to the future.<\/p>\n

In essence, I love the sense of community, the creativity and the diversity. And what do we need most? 1. Transit options to better connect the city and its residents. 2. Affordable housing, a key component to transit success. 3. And more density along transit corridors. That will further build the sense of community we\u2019ve developed, give the creative class more options for housing and work, and help us maintain the diverse character that is Raleigh.<\/p>\n

Candidates website:\u00a0www.maryannforraleigh.com<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  The City of Raleigh will hold elections for Mayor and City Council on October 6th. \u00a0In the at-large city council race, incumbents\u00a0Mary Ann Baldwin\u00a0and\u00a0Russ Stephenson\u00a0will face\u00a0Matt Tomasulo\u00a0and\u00a0Craig S. Ralph. This blog will include interviews with each candidate, with answers published as they are received. Mary Ann Baldwin\u00a0is an at-large member of City Council, having […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[6],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theraleighcommons.org\/raleighdla\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2293"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theraleighcommons.org\/raleighdla\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theraleighcommons.org\/raleighdla\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theraleighcommons.org\/raleighdla\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theraleighcommons.org\/raleighdla\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2293"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/theraleighcommons.org\/raleighdla\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2293\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2782,"href":"https:\/\/theraleighcommons.org\/raleighdla\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2293\/revisions\/2782"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theraleighcommons.org\/raleighdla\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2293"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theraleighcommons.org\/raleighdla\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2293"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theraleighcommons.org\/raleighdla\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2293"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}