Raleigh City Council District C
Corey Branch
Are you an incumbent?
Yes
1. Do you support the City of Raleigh’s $275 million parks bond on the ballot this November?
Yes
2. Do you support the $353.2 million Wake Tech bond on the ballot this November?
Yes
3. Do you support the $530.7 million Wake County schools bond on the ballot this November?
Yes
4. What is your long-term vision for growth in Raleigh?
I envision a Raleigh in which those who need assistance have the resources they need and they can afford to live in Raleigh. Long term, I see this city as a place where commuter rail and bus rapid transit are a regular part of travel for Raleigh citizens and the transit system helps our youth to access ever-growing opportunities. I would also hope to see walkable communities and controlled growth around I-540.
5. What do you see as the city's number one challenge?
Our number one challenge is ensuring all residents can be a part of the growth this city is experiencing. All members of the Raleigh community should be able to enjoy the economic opportunities that have come into the city and all youth should find the support they need to grow up in Raleigh. Everyone should be able to find an affordable home in Raleigh.
6. What are you hoping to achieve as an elected official that will foster a healthy and innovative business environment in both the near and long term?
I want to re-establish an eco-system where the business community and the government work together to address challenges and open opportunities. I host business roundtables for small businesses in our community to address some challenges now.
7. The Wake County Transit plan will expand bus service countywide, implement four bus rapid transit lines, and initiate a regional commuter rail system. What would you like to see the City of Raleigh do to complement or modify this enhanced transit service?
The city has purchased land along these corridors for the development of affordable housing, and I would like to see more city investment to ensure low-income residents have ample opportunity for housing. Also, we need to ensure services and retail shops are along the corridor. As we continue forward, I will continue to look at zoning cases to see that these things are done.
8. How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process in our city, especially area businesses?
I will continue to host monthly business roundtable meetings to listen to and share ideas and information with small business leaders. I continue to go where the people are by attending community and chamber events. In my next term, I will initiate and coordinate monthly meetings in the community to bring city staff and the community together for conversations and dialogue. By participating in community led, business led, and city led meetings, all Raleigh citizens will have an opportunity to help shape our city.
9. How will you balance increased infrastructure and personnel funding needs of the city while also addressing economic growth, affordability, and quality of life?
These are not competing items –they compliment one another. Better infrastructure and better funding for city personnel helps fuel economic growth. Economic growth means more economic opportunities and affordability which helps increase the quality of life for our citizens. So, I don’t think we have to view these as competing items.
We must also do a deeper dive in our budget along with outreach to have input on priorities. The community has already committed to the Wake County Transit Plan and other bonds via ballot vote, so we must be true to those commitments. I plan on more outreach to our state general assembly and federal representation for assistance in funding of priorities.
Transportation/Transit – Continue to promote and implement an effective transit plan to optimize service delivery and position the city for ongoing growth.
I will focus on improving the coverage and reliability of our current Go Raleigh systems, and ensure our operators and mechanics know they are appreciated. I will also work to ensure our para transit system remains accessible to those relying on the service. I want to see how micro-mobility can compliment our current bus system, bus rapid transit, and commuter rail.
Economic Strength - Create a business-friendly environment to attract, retain and grow business, diversify the economic base, and create job opportunities for all citizens.
I want to build my Business Roundtable for our small businesses to focus on job and entrepreneur development. I want to ensure we develop a downtown that is diverse between retail and food, as well as ownership. A majority of our businesses are not downtown and I want to ensure those businesses are engaging the community.
Affordable Housing – Develop an effective affordable housing plan through collaboration with the government, the private sector, the community, and individuals.
To address our housing challenges, the entire community –renters, prospective buyers, realtors, lenders, and developers must be part of the conversation.
The city must continue to find new ways to build housing for low-income residents and we must do what we can to help stabilize the market. Our zoning and housing policies have to stay current, and we must find creative ways to use them to increase opportunities. This includes land banking by the city for new affordable housing as we did in Renaissance Park. Or, purchasing existing property to redevelop as we have done on New Bern Ave. Currently there are Request of Proposal out to develop affordable housing on city owned land downtown, that I support and want to see move forward. The city has purchased a hotel to help with long term and transitional housing and partnered with Community Alternatives for Supportive Abodes (CASA) to manage the property.
I want to find more landlords who are willing to accept HUD vouchers and will work with the Raleigh Housing Authority to make it easier for property owners to rent to residents with vouchers.
Great Government - Promote a vision of a city government that partners with all levels of government to empower, protect and serve its citizens through a culture of respect, collaboration, and innovation.
Great government is based on relationship building and I am happy to say that during my time in office I have built great relationships with the community and businesses across my district.
Growth and Sustainability - Establish a deliberate and realistic approach to address growth and mobility while preserving our environment and healthy communities.
Environmentally responsible development starts with our Unified Development Ordinance and how we regulate development. We have already made adjustments, based on federal and state guidelines, and we have asked our Stormwater Management Advisory Committee to give recommendations on improvements.
Being responsible is also in how we protect our watershed and work with neighbors in doing the same. It means we finish the tree canopy plan, and helping other communities understand how their development impacts others.
Public Safety - Provide a safe, secure, and healthy community through coordinated, efficient, and effective public safety services.
Public safety is not just a policing issue --it is a community issue. I would start with improving mental health services and making it easier for people who need assistance to receive it. I would work with our schools to find ways to support families and children with challenges. I'm also working with people to help our youth explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math fields, so they can see opportunities to better them and their family lives. In reimagining Public Safety, I will continue to work to have police be a part of the community as well as be involved in community activities, in and out of uniform.
Social and Economic Vitality - Improve economic and social opportunities in vulnerable communities through strategic partnerships.
I worked with Commissioner James West to have the city and county invest in and support the Social and Economic Vitality group that the Wake County Government operates. This is a chance for the community to work and develop solutions to the challenges we face, with the government working to bring resources for implementation of the solutions.
Are you an incumbent?
Yes
1. Do you support the City of Raleigh’s $275 million parks bond on the ballot this November?
Yes
2. Do you support the $353.2 million Wake Tech bond on the ballot this November?
Yes
3. Do you support the $530.7 million Wake County schools bond on the ballot this November?
Yes
4. What is your long-term vision for growth in Raleigh?
I envision a Raleigh in which those who need assistance have the resources they need and they can afford to live in Raleigh. Long term, I see this city as a place where commuter rail and bus rapid transit are a regular part of travel for Raleigh citizens and the transit system helps our youth to access ever-growing opportunities. I would also hope to see walkable communities and controlled growth around I-540.
5. What do you see as the city's number one challenge?
Our number one challenge is ensuring all residents can be a part of the growth this city is experiencing. All members of the Raleigh community should be able to enjoy the economic opportunities that have come into the city and all youth should find the support they need to grow up in Raleigh. Everyone should be able to find an affordable home in Raleigh.
6. What are you hoping to achieve as an elected official that will foster a healthy and innovative business environment in both the near and long term?
I want to re-establish an eco-system where the business community and the government work together to address challenges and open opportunities. I host business roundtables for small businesses in our community to address some challenges now.
7. The Wake County Transit plan will expand bus service countywide, implement four bus rapid transit lines, and initiate a regional commuter rail system. What would you like to see the City of Raleigh do to complement or modify this enhanced transit service?
The city has purchased land along these corridors for the development of affordable housing, and I would like to see more city investment to ensure low-income residents have ample opportunity for housing. Also, we need to ensure services and retail shops are along the corridor. As we continue forward, I will continue to look at zoning cases to see that these things are done.
8. How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process in our city, especially area businesses?
I will continue to host monthly business roundtable meetings to listen to and share ideas and information with small business leaders. I continue to go where the people are by attending community and chamber events. In my next term, I will initiate and coordinate monthly meetings in the community to bring city staff and the community together for conversations and dialogue. By participating in community led, business led, and city led meetings, all Raleigh citizens will have an opportunity to help shape our city.
9. How will you balance increased infrastructure and personnel funding needs of the city while also addressing economic growth, affordability, and quality of life?
These are not competing items –they compliment one another. Better infrastructure and better funding for city personnel helps fuel economic growth. Economic growth means more economic opportunities and affordability which helps increase the quality of life for our citizens. So, I don’t think we have to view these as competing items.
We must also do a deeper dive in our budget along with outreach to have input on priorities. The community has already committed to the Wake County Transit Plan and other bonds via ballot vote, so we must be true to those commitments. I plan on more outreach to our state general assembly and federal representation for assistance in funding of priorities.
Transportation/Transit – Continue to promote and implement an effective transit plan to optimize service delivery and position the city for ongoing growth.
I will focus on improving the coverage and reliability of our current Go Raleigh systems, and ensure our operators and mechanics know they are appreciated. I will also work to ensure our para transit system remains accessible to those relying on the service. I want to see how micro-mobility can compliment our current bus system, bus rapid transit, and commuter rail.
Economic Strength - Create a business-friendly environment to attract, retain and grow business, diversify the economic base, and create job opportunities for all citizens.
I want to build my Business Roundtable for our small businesses to focus on job and entrepreneur development. I want to ensure we develop a downtown that is diverse between retail and food, as well as ownership. A majority of our businesses are not downtown and I want to ensure those businesses are engaging the community.
Affordable Housing – Develop an effective affordable housing plan through collaboration with the government, the private sector, the community, and individuals.
To address our housing challenges, the entire community –renters, prospective buyers, realtors, lenders, and developers must be part of the conversation.
The city must continue to find new ways to build housing for low-income residents and we must do what we can to help stabilize the market. Our zoning and housing policies have to stay current, and we must find creative ways to use them to increase opportunities. This includes land banking by the city for new affordable housing as we did in Renaissance Park. Or, purchasing existing property to redevelop as we have done on New Bern Ave. Currently there are Request of Proposal out to develop affordable housing on city owned land downtown, that I support and want to see move forward. The city has purchased a hotel to help with long term and transitional housing and partnered with Community Alternatives for Supportive Abodes (CASA) to manage the property.
I want to find more landlords who are willing to accept HUD vouchers and will work with the Raleigh Housing Authority to make it easier for property owners to rent to residents with vouchers.
Great Government - Promote a vision of a city government that partners with all levels of government to empower, protect and serve its citizens through a culture of respect, collaboration, and innovation.
Great government is based on relationship building and I am happy to say that during my time in office I have built great relationships with the community and businesses across my district.
Growth and Sustainability - Establish a deliberate and realistic approach to address growth and mobility while preserving our environment and healthy communities.
Environmentally responsible development starts with our Unified Development Ordinance and how we regulate development. We have already made adjustments, based on federal and state guidelines, and we have asked our Stormwater Management Advisory Committee to give recommendations on improvements.
Being responsible is also in how we protect our watershed and work with neighbors in doing the same. It means we finish the tree canopy plan, and helping other communities understand how their development impacts others.
Public Safety - Provide a safe, secure, and healthy community through coordinated, efficient, and effective public safety services.
Public safety is not just a policing issue --it is a community issue. I would start with improving mental health services and making it easier for people who need assistance to receive it. I would work with our schools to find ways to support families and children with challenges. I'm also working with people to help our youth explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math fields, so they can see opportunities to better them and their family lives. In reimagining Public Safety, I will continue to work to have police be a part of the community as well as be involved in community activities, in and out of uniform.
Social and Economic Vitality - Improve economic and social opportunities in vulnerable communities through strategic partnerships.
I worked with Commissioner James West to have the city and county invest in and support the Social and Economic Vitality group that the Wake County Government operates. This is a chance for the community to work and develop solutions to the challenges we face, with the government working to bring resources for implementation of the solutions.
