Preservation Voters: Candidate Responses

As our 2025 local elections near, we wanted to ask each candidate how they feel about historic preservation and what their plans in office will be to support historic preservation efforts in our community. We reached out to each candidate, and have received answers from 10, which you can read below.

2025 City of Durham Candidate Questionnaire: Historic Preservation in Durham 

Prepared by Preservation Durham (www.preservationdurham.org) 

*Each candidate's full answer sheet and submitted bio are linked at the bottom of this page

1. Partnering for Preservation: 

How do you envision the City partnering with nonprofits like Preservation Durham to achieve the historic preservation goals outlined in the Comprehensive Plan?

Ward 1: 

Andrea Cazales: No response

DeDreana Freeman: I see real possibilities for the City to partner with nonprofits like Preservation Durham as both a resource and a conduit for the community. Nonprofits can help us identify and document historically significant sites, especially in underrepresented Black, Indigenous, and working-class neighborhoods that have often been overlooked in preservation efforts. 

Our Partnerships should include:

• Identifying early collaboration opportunities on rezoning and development reviews so historic preservation concerns are addressed before projects move too far along.
• Grant matching and technical support from the City to help property owners access preservation incentives and adaptive reuse programs.
• Working closely with city staff on community education and outreach programs, co-led with nonprofits, to raise awareness about local history and available preservation tools.
• Integrating preservation into affordable housing strategies so we maintain both our historic structures and build stability for long-term residents.

Working together, the City and nonprofits can preserve Durham’s rich stories, culture,

and community identity while building a future that reflects our shared values.

Elijah King: Earlier this spring, I learned of a renovation of a historical home where the developer sought approval (which they received) from the city planning department. Unfortunately, that process did not make them aware of the need to seek approval from the Historic Preservation Commission. As such, they made design choices that were inconsistent with historic preservation goals and were very difficult to undo after the fact. In short, despite best efforts, the lack of communication across departments made navigating this process burdensome for the developer, resulting in the permanent destruction of Durham’s history.

My small business platform identifies how difficult it is to navigate city red tape, especially for small businesses, and seeks to remedy this. I am committed to creating a more efficient and more easily navigated city government for all residents, but especially small businesses. This is just one example of how we can make historic preservation achievable for Durham.

I would love to partner with Preservation Durham to streamline these processes and ensure that renovating and redeveloping historic properties makes sense to small businesses so that more local developers can help build our city, literally.

Matt Kopac: Partnerships with nonprofits like Preservation Durham will be important to achieving the preservation objectives in the Comprehensive Plan. The first major policy that address preservation is Policy 29, which recommends the use of public funds to support preserving and presenting our local history, especially telling the stories of Durham’s Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. The second policy focused on preservation is Policy 31, which recommends preserving the buildings, neighborhoods, and places of historic significance that define Durham. Looking back, two examples that highlight the spirit of these policies are Preservation Durham’s advocacy for the preservation of the Pauli Murray home and the West Village. The Comprehensive Plan envisions more such work going forward.

To align with these policies, I see the city collaborating with community organizations to expand historical information gathering and expanding the Durham Affordable Housing Loan Fund. This fund, which is designed in part to help affordable housing developers acquire and preserve existing properties, will be critical to meeting our preservation goals and for protecting our naturally occurring affordable housing (see question 3).

Samaria McKenzie: The City does work with Preservation Durham, but it’s mostly case by case. They’ve partnered on CLG grants to map and protect Geer Cemetery, list the West End Cemeteries, and nominate neighborhoods like Emorywood Estates. Preservation Durham has also worked with the City on sites like the old Police Headquarters and the Durham Athletic Park, and while the Historic Preservation Commission is officially run by the City and County, they often step in informally to support nominations, education, and advocacy. 

Even with these connections, the partnership is limited. One of the biggest gaps is that the Comprehensive Plan talks about preservation, but it has no true enforcement behind it. Without enforceable protections, preservation goals are just words on paper. That is where City Council has to step in. 

First, we need to strengthen the Unified Development Ordinance by adding clear language that requires developers to prioritize preservation or adaptive reuse instead of defaulting to demolition. Second, we should expand Local Historic District Overlays so that more neighborhoods and landmarks have real, legal safeguards. Third, we must require that historic preservation impacts are part of rezoning and site plan approvals in a binding way, not just as a suggestion. Fourth, we need enforceable penalties like fines for demolition by neglect, so property owners cannot intentionally let historic buildings fall apart. Fifth, we should make broader use of preservation easements and covenants, backed by City support and tax incentives, to permanently protect sites. 

Alongside those enforcement measures, City Council should also formalize the relationship with Preservation Durham by giving them a permanent seat in rezoning and redevelopment review, providing grant funding and staff resources to support their programs, and co-hosting tours, forums, and events that engage the public in preservation. 

The City already has Preservation Durham as a valuable partner. What is missing is consistency, structure, and real enforcement. As a Council member, I would push not only to fund programs and formalize the partnership, but also to put legal measures in place so that our preservation goals finally have sustained impact. That is the only way to balance development with protecting the history, culture, and neighborhoods that make Durham unique. 

Sheryl Smith: No response

Ward 2:

Shanetta Burris: In the 2023 Comprehensive Plan, a key objective is to recognize Durham’s historic buildings and sites as vital parts of our shared public history and to preserve these structures thoughtfully. To achieve this goal, partnerships with community-led nonprofit organizations like Preservation Durham are essential. As a council member, I will make it a priority to consult and collaborate with your organization to fulfill the objectives outlined in the Comprehensive Plan. 

Mark-Anthony Middleton: No response

Ashley N. Robbins: No response

Ward 3:

Chelsea Cook: I am excited to continue partnering with Preservation Durham and other nonprofits. There are several components of the Comprehensive Plan that can be better met with the experience and knowledge of this (or other similarly situated) groups. For example, in our recent conversations around the redevelopment of 505, we saw that the City’s understanding of what could be done to preserve and update the Milton Small Building was inaccurate in terms of cost and time because we had not specifically discussed the building’s future with developers in the preservation space. I am appreciative of the organizations stepping forward and offering expertise to help the City meet some of our immediate goals around this project, even though the entire property is not moving forward as we might like. 

Durant Long: No response

Terry McCann: As has happened most recently with the Sterling Bay Heritage Square rezoning as well as other rezoning attempts, the will of the people is often overlooked.  Pass hurts and trauma still exist, and City leaders must be cognizant of that.  To remedy this in the future stakeholders from ALL sides, including citizens, must be at the table to cordially dialogue with one another.  There must be a +/- system in place so that the pros and cons are weighed against each other to try to come to a fair outcome.  No one often gets everything that they want.

Diana Medoff: I have a great appreciation for the way the story of Durham is told through our architecture. The American Tobacco Campus, for example, has been preserved and reinvented to suit the current needs of Durham’s economy while still telling the story of our history. As we move forward, I am grateful for the work of Preservation Durham in advocating for this sort of storytelling as we adapt and grow. Because of that, I believe everyone and especially local nonprofits like Preservation Durham should have a voice in shaping Durham’s future. 

Mayor: 

Anjanée Bell: Durham will partner with nonprofits like Preservation Durham through a formal, funded, and accountable structure that delivers the Comprehensive Plan’s goals of rooted communities and a protected sense of place.

As Mayor, I will establish a Joint Preservation Partnership that convenes Preservation Durham, the Hayti Heritage Center, the Museum of Durham History, Planning, and neighborhood leaders each quarter to co-author an annual Preservation Work Program with clear targets, timelines, and budgets. 

The City will create a reliable funding stream for partner organizations through annual operating and project grants aligned with state and philanthropic dollars. The Historic Preservation Commission is primarily occupied with Certificate of Appropriateness caseloads; nonprofit partners will extend the full set of preservation functions envisioned by state law, including proactive work with owners of endangered properties and culturally significant sites. All actions will be consistent with North Carolina law. 

Policy will match practice. For rezonings and major site plans that implicate historic neighborhoods or cultural assets, staff reports will include early, written comments from Preservation Durham and sister organizations. The City will deploy tools—adaptive reuse incentives, local and conservation districts, landmark designations, demolition-delay triggers, and state and federal historic tax credits—equitably and effectively, prioritizing long-standing Black and working-class neighborhoods vulnerable to displacement. 

Durham will expand the citywide historic resource survey with an explicit equity lens, integrating oral histories and cultural landscapes so preservation honors people as well as buildings. Each year, the City and its partners will publish an At-Risk Places & Preservation Priorities list, co-created with neighborhood groups, to direct funding, staffing, and regulatory action. A Durham Preservation Fund will pair small grants and revolving, low-interest loans for owner-occupants and small landlords with technical-assistance clinics, energy-efficiency upgrades, and, where eligible, property-tax relief—so preservation keeps residents in place. 

Hayti will be the immediate proving ground. The City will launch a small-area plan for Hayti with a standing advisory committee that includes Preservation Durham, Hayti Reborn, the Hayti Heritage Center, and resident leaders from the start. Progress will be tracked on a public dashboard: structures stabilized, homes repaired, dollars deployed, and cultural assets protected. 

This is how Durham advances development without displacement and builds a better Durham for everyone.

Pablo Friedmann: No response

Lloyd Phillips: No response

Angela Reddick: No response

Leonardo Williams: One of Durham’s greatest blessings and assets is the extensive nonprofit community throughout our city that works every single day to better the lives of all Durhamites. From food availability, to neighborhood revitalization, to homeownership support, nonprofits are a key auxiliary partner in the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan. If elected, it is my intention to continue preexisting collaboration between the city and nonprofit groups, while constantly seeking ways to expand and streamline these partnerships for the ultimate betterment of our whole community. 

Rafiq Zaidi: No response

2. Historic Neighborhoods & Growth:

What role do Durham’s historic residential neighborhoods play in the city’s future growth? How should the city balance preserving neighborhood character with the need for increased housing density near downtown?

Ward 1: 

Andrea Cazales: No response

DeDreana Freeman: Durham’s historic residential neighborhoods, especially places like Golden Belt, Hayti, Tuscaloosa-Lakewood, Walltown and Watts-Hospital are foundational to our city’s identity, cultural heritage, and sense of place. They embody the strength, resilience, and legacy of Black, Brown, working-class communities that shaped Durham. As we grow, we must ensure these neighborhoods aren’t erased in the name of progress.

Preserving neighborhood character isn't about halting change. It’s about guiding growth in a way that honors local architecture, walkability, green canopies, and community fabric while meeting housing needs. We can do this by focusing new housing on transit corridors, under-used commercial sites, and city-owned land. Tools like conservation districts, design standards, and affordable housing requirements can help protect what matters most.

For instance, a recent zoning case in Hayti illustrates this balance in action. A proposal for a high-rise, mixed-use project at Heritage Square was withdrawn after residents voiced concerns about displacement, affordability, and erasure of history. Durham’s response shows the power of centering community vision in development. That same space can and should be reimagined in partnership with Hayti residents, grounded in respect, equity, and preservation, rather than driven by speculative development.

By combining intentional preservation with thoughtful, community-directed growth, we can build a Durham that stays rooted in its history, even as it welcomes new neighbors and opportunity.

Elijah King: Obviously, Durham needs more housing, but the way we go about this is important. I don’t think we have to decide between preserving neighborhood character and building more densely. In fact, I think we can do both; we just need to be creative.

This means building on more flag lots, building more Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), and allowing dense development on empty lots in existing neighborhoods. Durham needs more housing, which means that every time we reject a development, we create more need to approve a different development. This balancing act is what I’ll bring to council. I am neither a certain yes to developers, nor a certain no. I want to understand how each development contributes to Durham’s need for housing for every income level while also maintaining the things that make us all love Durham.

Matt Kopac: I believe we can and must balance preserving neighborhood character while having more homes near downtown. There will be areas like downtown and transit corridors where we will want to build greater density to meet the needs of our growing population. In our historic neighborhoods the key will be incremental growth that contributes to our housing needs while remaining in character. This includes local decisions like Expanding Housing Choices to build ADUs and supporting residents and local developers to build more housing stock like duplexes and triplexes. I live in Trinity Park, which is a terrific example of how diverse housing types can co-exist and preserve neighborhood character. 

Samaria McKenzie: Durham’s historic neighborhoods are the foundation of the city’s identity and should play a central role in its future growth. The Comprehensive Plan mentions preservation but offers no real enforcement, leaving these neighborhoods vulnerable to demolition and displacement. 

Balancing preservation with housing means directing density to corridors and areas with infrastructure rather than erasing historic homes. Council should expand Local Historic District Overlays, require adaptive reuse in rezoning approvals, and establish penalties for demolition by neglect. This is also why it’s important to slow major corporate rezoning and development, not only to preserve Durham’s character but to protect residents who currently have no real path to gain equity through homeownership in their own city. 

We already have over 10,000 vacant units in Durham. The problem is not supply, it’s affordability. If we allow unchecked development to keep driving up property values, wages will never have a chance to catch up, and those costs will always be passed down from owners to tenants. 

Durham can grow while protecting neighborhood character, but only if preservation has enforceable safeguards and growth is guided to strengthen rather than erase what makes this city unique. 

Sheryl Smith: No response

Ward 2:

Shanetta Burris: Many of Durham’s historic residential neighborhoods are being targeted by developers for various reasons. However, this approach often does not yield positive outcomes for long-term residents. These residents face the loss of their social and cultural fabric, in addition to a significant increase in property taxes. The city should make a concerted effort to engage with the communities residing in historic neighborhoods, such as Hayti and Walltown, when making decisions about growth and increased density. Residents and community leaders possess invaluable insights gained from years of living in their neighborhoods and should be seen as trusted partners and advisors, rather than obstacles. While increased density is important, it is equally essential to honor the history and character of these neighborhoods. Furthermore, council members should be intentional when engaging with developers who come before them to request annexations or rezonings in historic neighborhoods. This presents an excellent opportunity to advocate for the community's needs and to assess whether the developer is genuinely interested in being a long-term partner who cares about their impact on the community.

Mark-Anthony Middleton: No response

Ashley N. Robbins: No response

Ward 3: 

Chelsea Cook:  This is certainly a balance and one that comes with any growth, including the growth of Durham. I am mindful of certain histories and their importance to the City and the people who live here, as well as certain neighborhoods that attract people – both new residents and tourists alike. Like with any conversation around development and land use, I am careful to consider all the information in front of me, including the comments of Durhamites who will come share the stories of their neighborhoods during public comment. I do my best to choose the outcome that I feel is in the city’s best interest, and I take seriously the charge in determining if what we are giving up is less than what we are gaining on a whole. 

Durant Long: No response

Terry McCann: As previously stated in the last question, all stakeholders must be heard.  As Durham grows, her past must not be erased but instead uplifted and kept rooted.   Increased housing in the downtown area must not force out existing communities there.  In many cities across America, the downtown area has been revamped as newcomers come in at the expense of residents that have been there for ages.  Why?  Durham can do something different by keeping the flavor as it is while mixing in the new WITHOUT forcing out people.  The dirty word of gentrification should not mean sacrifice but instead an attempt for the old to grow with the new. 

Diana Medoff: As somebody who calls a historic neighborhood “home”, I understand the power and responsibility that comes with this rich history. When we renovated our historic home to meet the needs of our growing family, we were able to add an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). These sorts of personalized and creative solutions allow us to build more densely in these neighborhoods while also staying true to our history. History and character shouldn’t limit us moving forward but should guide us in our growth and development.  

Mayor: 

Anjanée Bell: Durham’s historic residential neighborhoods are the city’s living foundation. They hold our story—architecture, culture, and the everyday places where children were raised, neighbors looked out for one another, and elders aged in place. They are our heirlooms; preserving them is a people-first strategy, not nostalgia. They also contain the largest share of naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH), essential to stability and intergenerational wealth. 

First, protect what works. I will work to bring an Established Neighborhoods zoning framework to Council within my first 100 days, tailored by neighborhood and tied to anti-displacement standards. In these areas, the City will discourage teardowns that destroy NOAH, apply conservation or local historic districts where communities want them, use demolition-delay triggers for at-risk structures, and expand repair grants, tax relief where eligible, and low-interest rehab loans so owners can maintain and remain. Displacement-impact statements will be required for rezonings that affect historic neighborhoods. 

Second, add gentle, compatible infill. Accessory Dwelling Units will be by-right and easy to build. The City will offer pre-approved ADU and small-plex plans and expedited review for projects that retain an existing primary home. Context-sensitive pattern books will govern duplexes, townhomes, and small apartment houses on appropriate lots or vacant parcels—matching height, setbacks, massing, and materials—so new homes fit the block. 

Third, target meaningful density where it serves public goals. Higher density will be focused on downtown edges, major transit corridors, activity centers, and publicly controlled sites—not within the interior of established historic blocks. Upzoning will be conditioned on deep and durable affordability, enforceable anti-displacement commitments, and community benefits agreements. Density is a means, not an end; any added entitlement near downtown must prove public value or it will not advance. 

Fourth, center historically Black neighborhoods. Walltown, Bragtown, Hayti, College Heights, and similar communities will not be asked to pay the price of “growth.” With Preservation Durham and neighborhood leaders, the City will identify at-risk places, direct resources, and codify protections that keep residents in place while improving housing quality. A quarterly NOAH Preservation Scorecard—including a teardown-to-rehab ratio by neighborhood—will guide funding, enforcement, and code changes in real time. 

This balanced approach advances development without displacement, safeguards Durham’s sense of place, and delivers more homes where they belong—near jobs, transit, and services—while honoring the neighborhoods that made Durham what it is. That is how we build a better Durham for everyone. 

Pablo Friedmann: No response

Lloyd Phillips: No response

Angela Reddick: No response

Leonardo Williams: This is the eternal question, striking the appropriate balance between residential neighborhood sprawl and consolidated development. Thankfully, in Durham our geography allows us to do both. Our city limits include extensive residential-style neighborhoods filled with standalone single family housing. The assertion that this model can’t co-exist with large scale apartment style housing is demonstrably inaccurate, and this is borne out in real-time throughout Durham. Our council has presided over a period of sustained housing growth that has incorporated both models, while also devoting resources to rejuvenating pre-existing communities. 

Rafiq Zaidi: No response

3. Affordable Housing & Older Homes (NOAH)

Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH) often refers to older, modest homes in need of renovation. Many of these properties have traditionally offered a path to homeownership and wealth-building but are increasingly being bought by investors or demolished for higher-end development. What policies or tools should the city consider to preserve NOAH and support owner-occupant buyers? If elected, how would you incorporate this issue in the affordable housing conversation?

Ward I: 

Andrea Cazales: No response

DeDreana Freeman: Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH) is one of Durham’s most important yet most at-risk housing resources. These older, modest homes have historically provided first-time buyers, working-class families, and long-term residents especially in Black and Brown communities with a pathway to homeownership and intergenerational wealth.

However, speculative investors are increasingly purchasing these properties, either to flip them into high-cost rentals or to demolish and replace them with expensive new construction.

To preserve NOAH, Durham needs a multi-pronged strategy. First, I would support the creation of a dedicated NOAH preservation fund that could be used to help owner-occupant buyers, especially low- and moderate-income households compete with investors through down payment assistance, low-interest rehab loans, and grants for essential repairs. Second, I would advocate for a “first look” policy, giving qualified owner-occupants, community land trusts, and nonprofit housing providers priority access to purchase NOAH properties before they hit the speculative market. Third, we should expand tax relief programs like the Longtime Homeowner Grant to help keep these homes in the hands of residents facing rising property taxes.

If elected, I would make NOAH preservation a core pillar of Durham’s affordable housing strategy. This means integrating NOAH goals into our housing bond commitments, incentivizing renovation over demolition, and partnering with community development financial institutions, local banks, and land trusts to maintain these homes as permanently affordable. Preserving NOAH is not just about saving buildings, and it’s about protecting Durham’s people, culture, and the ability of working families to stay and thrive in their neighborhoods.

Elijah King: Part of what puts NOAH at risk is not approving developments in other neighborhoods. In our current housing crisis, the demand for housing is high, and developers will look for any opportunity to meet that demand. That means we have to be approving the developments we can outside of historic neighborhoods.

Additionally, we need to invest in paths to homeownership for Durhamites including downpayment assistance. Another critical area is property tax relief. As property values climb, so do taxes, but wages haven’t kept pace. Seniors, long- time residents, and low-income homeowners are being priced out of their own homes. We need to expand and better communicate eligibility for existing grant programs like the Longtime Homeowner Grant.

Matt Kopac: Preserving Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH) is critical because most low and moderate-income residents lack access to subsidized units, and most of the affordable housing in Durham (where residents aren’t cost-burdened) is naturally occurring. A mix of solutions is needed.

The city should start with short-term stopgaps to help people stay in their homes. This includes eviction diversion, legal aid, and stronger tenant protections. Durham’s Minor Repair and Substantial Rehabilitation Programs are vital, addressing substandard housing issues like plumbing, roofing, stormwater, and HVAC – expenses that often force residents out of otherwise affordable homes. These repairs also support energy affordability, lowering utility costs. The Longtime Homeowner Grant Program is another great program that eases rising tax burdens and should be more accessible.

Community land trusts such as Durham Community Land Trustees (DCLT) are valuable for keeping homes permanently affordable by removing them from speculative markets. We should also explore models like housing cooperatives, shared equity programs, and community investment trusts to protect our existing affordable housing stock.

Even with these efforts, most low and moderate-income residents remain vulnerable to private market pressures. Building more homes is therefore crucial to stabilizing costs and preserving NOAH. We need to build more affordable homes, but if we only do this, it can push wealthier residents into naturally affordable neighborhoods, displacing longtime residents. Encouraging more locally responsive, small-scale development – such as projects supported by the Durham Affordable Housing Loan Fund and the ADU pilot fund and by providing more flexibility in the new UDO – offers a way to ease displacement pressures without the same cost pressures of large-scale developments.

Samaria McKenzie: NOAH has been one of the clearest paths to homeownership and wealth building, and Durham is losing it fast. The City Council just approved three major rezonings this past Monday, all unanimously, that permanently shifted land away from single-family homes into apartment complexes. Once land is rezoned that way, it can never again be used for single-family residences, which means residents of Durham lose any chance to own that land. To call that affordable housing is misleading because renters will never build equity. 

To stop this, the City must adopt real policies. First, we need a temporary hold on corporate rezoning requests that eliminate opportunities for single-family homeownership. Second, Council should pass a first-look or right-of-first-refusal ordinance to give local buyers and nonprofits priority over outside investors when NOAH properties are sold. Third, establish a City acquisition fund and land bank so these homes can be purchased, rehabilitated, and kept affordable for owner-occupants. Fourth, adopt an anti-demolition by neglect ordinance with penalties for investors who intentionally allow older homes to deteriorate. Fifth, expand targeted tax relief and rehabilitation grants so long-term residents can maintain ownership without being displaced by rising property values. Sixth, consider a speculation tax on bulk investor purchases, with revenue directed into homeownership programs.

 If elected, I will incorporate NOAH into the affordable housing conversation by holding developers accountable, stopping rezonings that destroy pathways to ownership, and pushing for enforceable policies that protect equity for Durham residents. Otherwise, there will be no opportunity for anyone from here to own here and that is unacceptable. 

Sheryl Smith: No response

Ward 2:

Shanetta Burris: It is crucial to acknowledge that homeownership can become a burden for our neighbors, particularly those in their later years, in an environment where property taxes are increasing for various reasons. In many of our established neighborhoods, gentrification significantly contributes to rising property taxes, putting those on fixed incomes at risk of financial hardship. I believe we are not doing enough as a local government to explore effective strategies to reduce the tax burden on our neighbors. While recognizing the legal limitations of the council, I am committed to researching and collaborating with community members to find appropriate solutions to this issue. By partnering with banks and credit unions to provide low-interest loans, we could help offset these rising costs. 

Mark-Anthony Middleton: No response

Ashley N. Robbins: No response

Ward 3: 

Chelsea Cook: I am excited to see this question because I feel that sometimes we hear an incorrect narrative around affordable housing and how it is at odds with all other good services; we are told that, in order to achieve affordability, we must give up our environmental goals, or our goals around history and preservation, and the list goes on. This is a perfect example of how preservation and affordability can actually go hand in hand. I am committed to retaining the council’s power in zoning and will use my voice to stand against the “density at all costs” push. Durham should be able to decide how we densify by keeping the power to make those decisions in the hands of electeds who are accountable to the public. For me, this is the only way to ensure the density we want comes with any affordability or preservation of history at all (and ideally it comes with both!). 

Durant Long: No response

Terry McCann: Many vacant homes & residences are throughout the city of Durham, and they are in established neighborhoods.  Outside developers should not be allowed to buyout these properties, demolish, and then redesign the whole community.  Usually, these developers are looking for a quick buck and do not really care about the aftermath of the crisis that remains when they depart.  If anything, allow local real estate or local developers purchase these properties so that they can be renovated and made ready for first time homeowners.  Also, allow the plethora of banks and credit unions in the region purchase these properties and once refurbished sold to citizens of Durham.  I could see the City of Durham purchasing a few of these and then reselling them to the citizens. 

Diana Medoff: To preserve Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH) in Durham and support owner-occupant buyers, we must take a proactive, balanced approach that protects long-time residents while managing the pressures of growth. Durham is growing, and with that growth comes change. Building for the influx of new residents is not the same as building for affordability—and we must do both. That means we have to approve new developments, even when it brings discomfort or change to established neighborhoods. It means allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs), multi-unit housing on formerly single-family lots, and greater density in areas near transit, jobs, and services. These are tough choices for some Durhamites, but the alternative—displacement and disinvestment—is far worse. 

Mayor: 

Anjanée Bell: As Mayor, I will lead the City to execute a two-track strategy for Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH): preserve what exists and produce what is missing. NOAH is Durham’s primary on-ramp to homeownership and intergenerational wealth. The goal is development without displacement and more first-time buyers in stable, well-kept homes. 

1) Preserve what exists and prioritize owner-occupants. 

Create an Established Neighborhoods zoning framework that discourages teardowns, applies conservation or local historic districts where communities want them, and activates demolition-delay for at-risk homes. Launch a NOAH Preservation Fund that provides low-interest rehab loans and small grants, paired with a homeowner navigator to stack historic credits, energy upgrades, and code remedies so owners can maintain and remain. Provide targeted tax and fee relief where eligible, and expedite permits for rehab that retains the primary structure. Establish First-Look & First-Opportunity on City-controlled disposals and incentive deals, giving owner-occupants, community land trusts, and mission-driven buyers time and support to acquire NOAH; assistance will carry owner-occupancy covenants and recapture provisions to deter flipping. Publish a quarterly NOAH Preservation Scorecard—including a teardown-to-rehab ratio by neighborhood—to direct funding, inspections, and code changes in real time.

2) Produce what is missing: small houses on small lots. 

Durham cannot regulate sales prices in most cases; it can regulate size and form. Through rezonings and Planned Density Residential approvals, I will require that at least 20% of new for-sale homes are small houses on small lots, with clear caps on building size and height. Accessory Dwelling Units will be by-right. The City will provide pre-approved small-house and ADU plans and a context pattern book so new homes match block character. Projects that retain an existing home while adding gentle infill will receive priority review. Durham will retire any small-house option that induces teardown of NOAH and shift that production to new subdivisions and appropriate infill sites. 

3) Make compatibility a public good. 

In partnership with Preservation Durham and sister nonprofits, the City will sponsor an annual Small House Design Challenge; rezoning proposals that adopt winning designs will receive scoring preference. All actions will comply with North Carolina law. 

How this fits the affordable housing conversation. 

NOAH preservation will be a standing pillar of Durham’s housing policy and bond investments, measured by displacement prevented, NOAH homes preserved, and first-time buyers housed. This is how we keep families in place while adding attainable homes—and how we build a better Durham for everyone. 

Pablo Friedmann: No response

Lloyd Phillips: No response

Angela Reddick: No response

Leonardo Williams: Preservation of Naturally-Occurring Affordable Housing is a pivotal part of Durham’s current housing policy, including intentional investment from the city and partnership with non-profits currently providing meaningful community support in the housing sphere. It is also a key residual effect of the city’s drive to expand the housing market for both tenants and homeowners. Equitable abundance is a policy that uplifts all members of the community, and includes not only keeping housing costs down, but keeping the cost of living manageable as well. Addressing food deserts, providing reliable public transportation, and ensuring public safety all play a part in constructing the affordable Durham that our community deserves. 

Rafiq Zaidi: No response

4. Downtown Development & Preservation

How do you view the role of historic preservation in the past and future development of

Downtown Durham and its surrounding neighborhoods? In your opinion, how should the city balance preservation goals with the call for greater height and density in the urban core?

Ward I: 

Andrea Cazales: No response

DeDreana Freeman: As a resident of the historic Golden Belt Neighborhood, just across the street from downtown, I deeply value the 100-year-old homes and the mill village that tell the story of the east side of Main Street. Preservation has played a critical role in shaping Durham’s identity by honoring the history of the hosiery and cotton mills where generations of working-class residents built their lives. That story deserves to be preserved alongside

the wealthier narratives of our city’s past. Looking ahead, preservation must remain part of how we grow.

Balancing preservation with the push for greater height and density has become more challenging with the passing of Simplified Code for Affordable Housing (SCAD) text amendments, which removed incentives to keep historic homes in favor of new development. But we don’t have to sacrifice modest historic neighborhoods to achieve growth. By slowing the process for deeper review and pairing density with meaningful affordable housing benefits, we can protect what makes Durham unique while still meeting future needs. We also need to ensure that density is scaled appropriately within existing communities, cascades thoughtfully across the city, and preserves as many of the structures and stories as possible.

Elijah King: As a lifelong Durhamite, I appreciate the role that historic preservation has already contributed to Durham, and I recognize how our failure to preserve history in the name of “progress” has harmed communities, especially the Black community. As such, it’s important to preserve our history as we move forward.

While I understand the need for more height and density in the urban core, I also see a way to create this in lots that are currently parking lots or altogether empty. I also understand that building fully within the urban growth boundary will ease some of the demand on downtown properties.

These are big, complicated issues that we’re wrestling with, and I understand just how complex these decisions are. What has frustrated me about votes taken on council and planning commission is the denial of projects that in no way threaten these goals. These should be approved, easing the demand on properties in Durham’s historic districts.

Matt Kopac: Historic preservation has been hugely important in our past (see question 7) and will be important to our future development of Downtown Durham and its surrounding neighborhoods. Balance will be important, which means integrating preservation where possible–even if we can’t do it everywhere. 

What I have come to realize over a career in business, non-profit, and advocacy work is that strategy is about moving in a particular direction but not winning at every moment. As a sustainability officer, I learned that if I tried to require reuse for every innovation, then we would get very few products out the door. As an affordable housing advocate, I learned that if we require all new developments to have affordable housing, then very little housing gets built. 

It is important to set goals for progress and find the right opportunities that balance sometimes aligned, and sometimes competing priorities. For downtown, it will be important to have an inventory of priority projects and get preservation wins whenever we can. However, sometimes preservation may not be feasible. In the case of the Home Security Life Building, I would love it if we could meet all the city council’s goals for preservation, design, affordable housing, public ownership of the land, and more. However, I am concerned that after seven years, our approach isn’t working, and most potential development partners want nothing to do with the project. That is seven years of not housing our residents, seven years of lost opportunity with no end in sight. I don’t know the answer yet, but to get the project to pencil out, we might not be able to preserve the building. 

Overall, I believe it is important to look for preservation opportunities in Downtown Durham as we densify the urban core. I look forward to engaging with Preservation Durham, supporting key projects, and weighing the trade-offs when they arise. 

Samaria McKenzie: Durham is the first Black Wall Street. Hayti Village was decimated by Highway 147 and urban renewal projects, which stripped residents of land, income, and equity. Durham County and the City of Durham have been selling out historic land for decades, and it must stop. Preservation in downtown and surrounding neighborhoods is not optional, it is the only way to protect the city’s identity and its people.

Historic preservation built the foundation of Downtown’s economic success. The old tobacco warehouses, factories, and storefronts that were adaptively reused are now the anchors of downtown’s growth. That lesson must guide our future: preservation is not a barrier to development, it is the only proven model of sustainable development. 

The problem is that developers are being allowed to lead the charge, and Council keeps approving their requests. On Monday, City Council unanimously approved three rezonings in one night — adding more than 600 apartments and an 89,000 sq. ft. warehouse. Once land is rezoned like this, it is permanently shifted away from single-family homeownership opportunities. That means residents lose equity, property values spike, and long-term Durham families are displaced. Every single sitting Council member voted yes, despite knowing these projects do nothing to address affordability or equity.

Meanwhile, Durham already has over 10,000 vacant housing units. The crisis is not supply; the crisis is affordability and ownership. Building more high-rise development does not benefit Durham residents — it benefits out-of-state buyers, multimillion-dollar corporations, and developers who profit while wages in Durham lag far behind. 

To balance growth with preservation, the City must take real action. First, enforce preservation review in all rezonings. Second, require adaptive reuse before demolition. Third, cap building heights around historic districts to prevent overshadowing cultural landmarks. Fourth, adopt enforceable penalties like fines for demolition by neglect. Fifth, create a City acquisition fund and land bank to preserve properties at risk. Sixth, reduce and minimize corporate government contracts and stop over-relying on general obligation bonds that push costs back on taxpayers. 

Development needs to slow down so wages can catch up. City Council should be investing in and supporting nonprofit and neighborhood-based organizations that seek sustainable living. End of story. We do not need more density. We need sustainability. 

Sheryl Smith: No response

Ward 2

Shanetta Burris: Over recent years, Durham has moved to encourage density building as a means of addressing the perceived housing shortage. When considering zoning changes or annexations, it is essential to determine whether these changes align with the city's comprehensive plan. Another consideration is studying how the development will impact the existing neighborhood. Developers must sufficiently engage community members during the planning process to ensure that their issues or concerns are adequately addressed. Community engagement does not have to be a contentious process.  

Mark-Anthony Middleton: No response

Ashley N. Robbins: No response

Ward 3: 

Chelsea Cook: This question overlaps with my answer above, but I will add that one thing I am excited for down the line is a study of how we might shift traffic patterns and better utilize city-owned land in downtown Durham. I hope this will allow us to have a bit more density downtown while maintaining the beautiful and meaningful storefronts that allow us to reflect on and value our Durham history. 

Durant Long: No response

Terry McCann: Durham, first, needs to stop comparing herself with Raleigh and Cary and other cities in the region.  Durham must define her identity and establish that based on community input an best practices.  Durham must first identify what she want to preserve – no questions asked – and what she is wiling to compromise not preserving.  The city of Durham has plenty of area of area to grow into but that does not mean she should develop near our watersheds.  Durham should build in the urban area by first either rezoning vacant commercial to residential and preferably using  local builders and developers to get that work done.  Greater height projects should not dwarf historic preservation area so that residents there NOT fear being taken over in the future.  Greater height projects should be in a central site that neighboring area can radiate towards – like a central hub.  Walkable communities should be highly considered, too.  The vacant Northgate Mall would be an excellent place to start.  It can be a mixed use area of affordable apartments with a commercial properties including a grocery store, drug store and a place for our aging citizens to reside.  With it’s proximity to I-85 and the bus line it would draw people to the area to shop and play.  As Durham ages over the next 2 decades, the elevators and 

Diana Medoff: Historic preservation has played a crucial role in shaping Downtown Durham into the vibrant, character-rich place it is today. Preservation has helped catalyze economic growth, attract small businesses, and anchor community identity. But as Durham continues to grow, we need to recognize that preservation alone isn’t enough to meet our housing and equity goals. 

As our urban core evolves, we must strike a careful balance: honoring Durham’s history while making space for Durham’s future. That means being selective and strategic in our preservation efforts, prioritizing historically and culturally significant buildings and neighborhoods, especially those tied to communities that have historically been marginalized or displaced. 

But it also means we must be honest: not every older structure can or should be preserved, especially if it stands in the way of desperately needed housing or equitable development. We can’t let preservation be a tool that blocks progress, affordability, or density. Preservation must not become a backdoor to exclusion. 

In my view, historic preservation and smart, equitable growth are not mutually exclusive. They can work together—if we stay focused on our values: protecting our legacy, housing our people, and building a city where everyone has a place. 

Mayor: 

Anjanée Bell: Durham’s downtown renaissance is, at its core, a preservation success. People are drawn to the warehouses, storefronts, and street grids that carry our story. Preservation did not slow growth; it made growth possible by giving downtown an identity worth investing in. That lesson must guide the future of downtown and the neighborhoods that surround it. 

Durham’s downtown renaissance is a preservation story. People choose downtown because of its historic warehouses, storefronts, and street grid—not the newest towers. That lesson must guide the future: preservation did not slow growth; it made growth possible. 

My view of preservation’s role. 

Preservation is an economic strategy, a cultural anchor, and a climate tool. The downtown core is a local historic district; contributing buildings and streetwalls will be protected and reinforced. Adaptive reuse will be the first choice, not the exception. 

Fix what is not working. 

Our current design district rules in downtown and Ninth Street have underperformed—especially at the street level. As Mayor, I will lead a standards update with Preservation Durham and national preservation partners. The rules will require active, lease-ready ground floors (right floor-to-floor heights, storefront transparency, small bay widths, no blank walls), human-scale streetwalls, and durable materials. I will strengthen demolition-by-neglect enforcement so irreplaceable assets are not lost by delay. 

Draw a clear edge between downtown and neighborhoods. 

There will be a visible, codified transition between the urban core and surrounding historic residential blocks. I will implement step-down maps, mandatory upper-story stepbacks, and conservation overlays at the edges so height and intensity scale down toward neighborhoods. 

Plan with shared power. 

In East Durham and other legacy areas burdened by obsolete zoning and past neglect, the City will restart citizen-led, City-supported small-area planning. Engagement will move beyond surveys and post-it notes to shared decision rights, budget transparency, and timelines that residents help set. 

Balancing preservation with height and density. 

Greater height and density belong in the core and on transit corridors, not inside historic neighborhood interiors. Where additional height is sought, approvals will be conditioned on clear public value: adaptive reuse of contributing structures, excellent ground-floor design, deep and durable affordability, enforceable anti-displacement commitments, and secure small-business space. Streetwall protections, context-driven massing, and required stepbacks will govern all tall buildings. I will use targeted bonuses and transfer mechanisms to shift intensity away from fragile edges while funding preservation outcomes. 

Unlock the grid. 

The downtown loop has outlived its purpose. Converting it to complete streets will reconnect neighborhoods, open redevelopment sites, and make preservation-first infill viable.

This is how we protect Durham’s character, welcome growth that serves the public, and build a better Durham for everyone. 

Pablo Friedmann: No response

Lloyd Phillips: No response

Angela Reddick: No response

Leonardo Williams: Historic preservation and the pursuit of greater height and density in the urban core are not mutually-exclusive goals. Without due deference to the history of our community, we can neither appreciate where we’ve been, nor can we have a truly unobstructed view of the path laid out before us. Just like Preservation Durham articulates their vision, I envision a Durham that embraces growth and change but also protects its sense of place – its unique identity in the Triangle – and a Durham that remains open and available to all in our community. Everyone’s story has a place in the Durham I will continue to work tirelessly to build in a second term as your Mayor. 

Rafiq Zaidi: No response

5. Support for Preservation & Equity

Programs that assist low- and moderate-income homeowners in maintaining historic properties (such as Preservation Durham’s Preservation Equity Project) currently have limited resources. Would you support dedicating City resources to initiatives that help homeowners preserve historic homes? Why or why not?

Ward I: 

Andrea Cazales: No response

DeDreana Freeman: Yes, I have and will continue to support dedicating City resources to historic preservation of homes. Too often, preservation feels out of reach for low- and moderate-income families, yet they are the ones who hold much of Durham’s history in their homes. Programs like the Preservation Equity Project ensure that preservation isn’t just for those with wealth, but a tool for equity—helping families build generational wealth, keep neighborhoods stable, and protect the cultural history that makes Durham unique. Preserving our past should not displace the very people who created it.

Elijah King: I would love to say “yes” as I think this work is important, but with our current fiscal outlook, I don’t think this is the best use of resources. Specifically, homeowners (and by extension, those who rent as well) are struggling with the recent property tax increase and how this impacts their personal finances. Especially when so many Durhamites are facing layoffs, now does not feel like the right time to be increasing property taxes further. Likewise, I cannot imagine cutting vital programs that create access to economic opportunity (fare free buses) and allow for home ownership. Given that, I am a resentful no, with optimism that I would be able to vote yes in the future.

Matt Kopac: There seems to be overlap with the Preservation Equity Project and protecting Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (see question 3), and the city’s Minor and Substantial Repair programs. Importantly, they all assist low- and moderate-income homeowners with issues like roof repair and replacement, plumbing and electrical, and other support that can mean the difference between residents staying in place or being displaced. For me, it makes sense to try to achieve these goals at the same time to the greatest degree possible.

Samaria McKenzie: Yes, I would support dedicating City resources to programs that help homeowners preserve historic homes. 

That is why I believe the City must held accountable for poor budget allocation and expand its grant programs for nonprofits and neighborhood-based organizations, while radically reduce the subsidies it provides to major developers. Cities should be helping residents stay in their homes, not helping corporate developers profit at their expense. We also need to dedicate direct City funding and matching grants to programs like the Preservation Equity Project, create a City-backed rehabilitation fund for long-term residents, and expand targeted property tax relief in historic districts. 

To be clear, I will vote no on every rezoning request from a corporate developer that strips  residents of the ability to benefit from Durham’s land. The rezonings passed by the current Council are locking land into permanent apartment use, guaranteeing that residents will never be able to build equity there. I do not lack integrity. You will never see me vote yes for anything that takes away our land, our dignity, our culture, or our access to equity in the future.

Durham does not need more subsidies for developers when we already have over 10,000 vacant units. The issue is affordability, not supply. Preservation and equity go hand in hand, and dedicating resources to help residents maintain historic homes is one of the most direct ways the City can keep families in place and protect Durham’s identity. 

Sheryl Smith: No response

Ward 2

Shanetta Burris:   I support increasing resources to assist homeowners. As I mentioned earlier, the rising costs of homeownership, especially for maintaining historic properties, can be a significant burden. I advocate for programs that help alleviate these challenges for our low- and moderate-income neighbors. 

Mark-Anthony Middleton: No response

Ashley N. Robbins: No response

Ward 3: 

Chelsea Cook: After our conversation around 505, I feel I have much to learn in this space. It is my understanding that there are incentives and funds to help offset these costs, and I would encourage more education around these options and how to access them. At this moment – a time with already strained resources and extreme federal funding cuts – I do not anticipate that this issue will rise above other of my priorities, like free buses, infrastructure maintenance, paying employees a living wage, incentivizing affordable housing, and investing in our youth, but if those goals of preservation overlap with my priorities, I will be happy to support such budgetary changes. 

Durant Long: No response

Terry McCann:  Although these gems need to be preserved, I would not support dedicating City resources to help homeowners preserve them.  Life is not fair, and government should stay out of the lives of the people as much as possible.  I believe that the individual can do best for themselves and can preserve their historic homes themselves using entities from the private sector.

Diana Medoff: While the preservation of historic homes is valuable, I believe that during this time of financial uncertainty, the City’s limited resources should be prioritized toward essential services and urgent community needs. Programs like affordable housing, public safety, infrastructure maintenance, and social services must come first to ensure stability and equity for all residents. Historic preservation remains important, but I would prefer to see it supported through partnerships with nonprofit organizations, state or federal grants, or private philanthropy rather than dedicating scarce City funds at this time. 

Mayor: 

Anjanée Bell: Yes. I will dedicate City resources to initiatives that help low- and moderate-income homeowners preserve historic homes because this work keeps families in place, protects NOAH, and safeguards Durham’s cultural memory. Preservation Durham’s Preservation Equity Project has shown what is possible; it needs stable funding, staffing, and City partnership to scale. It is low-hanging fruit for City partnership that keeps families in place and protects NOAH. 

As Mayor, I will: 

1) Create a Preservation Equity Partnership. 

Establish a multi-year City–Preservation Durham partnership that combines small grants with revolving, low-interest rehab loans targeted to owner-occupants. Funding will prioritize roofs, systems, code repairs, weatherization, and accessibility so owners can maintain and remain. Assistance will include owner-occupancy covenants and basic recapture provisions to prevent speculative flips. 

2) Stand up a Homeowner Navigator & TA Hub. 

Fund dedicated staff and clinics to help residents layer resources—state historic tax credits, energy-efficiency rebates, and City repair programs. The City will sponsor quarterly seminars and one-on-one application support, offered in multiple languages, with pro bono design and tax guidance where appropriate. Permits for in-place rehab will be expedited. City support will leverage tax-deductible donations to Preservation Durham, stretching every public dollar further. 

3) Build local capacity to deliver repairs. 

Create a pre-qualified contractor pool with fair, transparent pricing; reserve a portion for small, minority- and women-owned firms; and pair with paid apprenticeships in preservation trades through Durham Tech. This strengthens quality, speed, and neighborhood wealth. 

4) Advance Landmarking and Equity.

Direct staff—working with Preservation Durham—to proactively identify eligible properties in underserved areas and prepare City-funded landmark nominations. Where landmark status affects taxes, provide clear guidance and targeted relief that protects seniors and cost-burdened owners. This mirrors successful efforts such as landmarking the Chicken Hut and extends them equitably. 

5) Fix what has not worked and measure results. Centralize intake, scope repairs with independent QA, and coordinate with existing City home-repair tools to avoid duplication. Publish a public dashboard tracking homes stabilized, dollars leveraged, neighborhoods served, age of owners served, and teardown-prevented estimates. 

City dollars here are high-leverage: they preserve NOAH at a fraction of new-build cost, reduce displacement risk, and retain embodied carbon. I will make Preservation Equity a standing pillar  of Durham’s affordable-housing strategy and bond investments—measured by displacement prevented, historic homes preserved, and first-time and long-time owners sustained—so we build a better Durham for everyone. 

Pablo Friedmann: No response

Lloyd Phillips: No response

Angela Reddick: No response

Leonardo Williams: I absolutely would support—and have supported—dedicating City resources to help low and moderate income homeowners in maintaining historic properties. Our history informs who we are, whether that be in our individual capacities, or as a collective. And in a community as dynamic as Durham, our shared history has the role of highlighting where we have been, while simultaneously serving to illuminate our path forward. It is imperative that the city continue to support efforts to maintain historic properties in a manner that doesn’t establish a tacit requirement for the homeowner of said historic property to be independently wealthy. 

Rafiq Zaidi: No response

6. Preservation & Sustainability

How do you see preservation contributing to Durham’s sustainability and climate resilience goals?

Ward I: 

Andrea Cazales: No response

DeDreana Freeman: Preservation is sustainability. By reusing, reducing, and recycling, we extend the life of our buildings and neighborhoods while honoring our history. It keeps materials out of landfills, lowers emissions, and strengthens climate resilience. Most importantly, it

protects what makes Durham, Durham.

Elijah King: Renovating is always more sustainable than demolishing and building new. One of the biggest challenges Durham’s historic preservation efforts face is financial. How do we make it make financial sense for developers to invest in renovating older properties when they could just as easily build new elsewhere? In my mind, that challenge really only has one solution, developers need to be invested in Durham’s success long-term. That means creating an environment where smaller, local developers are able to compete. My small business platform addresses this exact problem and looks at ways that we can ease the burden of bureaucracy on small businesses.

Matt Kopac: As a sustainability professional, I regularly advocate for preservation and reuse in areas such as buildings, consumer goods, and packaging. I know that reusing an existing building typically saves 50-75% of embodied carbon compared to constructing a new building due to emissions reductions from raw material extraction, transportation and the construction process. I even had a fellowship opportunity to visit and study communities in Europe and South America and learn how they are deploying preservation and reuse to promote sustainability and local character. 

As the chair of the Durham Environmental Affairs Board, I was one of the chief advocates for Durham’s 2021 Carbon Reduction and Renewable Energy Action Plan. Preservation does not feature prominently in the city’s sustainability and climate resilience goals, as the biggest levers the city can pull to reduce emissions are energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption, and fleet electrification. However, I still see preservation as an important contributor to both reducing emissions and to promoting an ethic of resource stewardship in our community.

Samaria McKenzie: Durham is getting hotter every year because we are losing trees, shade, and the natural systems that protect us. The future of Durham does not have to mean building an urban jungle with density so high that we sacrifice our skyline, air quality, and access to green spaces. 

This is where nonprofits and agricultural institutes play a critical role. I founded the Eco Land Community Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to teaching trades and sustainability, because I believe preservation is about preserving our relationship with the land and with each other. I have also worked with organizations like the Eco Institute at Pickards Mountain in Chapel Hill, founded by Megan Toben, where I had the opportunity to live off the land and practice true sustainability. There are local organizations here in Durham doing similar work, and they show us that the city’s future can be progressive without destroying the systems that sustain life. 

We cannot rely on nonprofits alone. The City must adopt policies that make sustainability enforceable. First, we need stronger tree ordinances and funding for tree canopy expansion, especially in neighborhoods most affected by heat. Second, Council should require green space and shade standards in all major developments. Third, preservation must be tied to adaptive reuse incentives, so historic buildings are retrofitted rather than demolished. Fourth, the City should redirect subsidies away from corporate developers and into grants for sustainability-focused nonprofits like Ecoland and neighborhood-based preservation groups. 

Sustainability is not just a goal for the future, it is a way of life. For too long, society has fought against this reality, sacrificing both humanity and nature in the pursuit of profit and power. Preservation means holding on to our trees, our historic homes, our open land, and our cultural roots. If we do not radically adjust how we interact with our land and with each other, we will not sustain ourselves on this earth. Durham has the opportunity to lead by example, and preservation must be at the center of that. 

Sheryl Smith: No response

Ward 2

Shanetta Burris: I view preservation as an essential strategy for advancing Durham’s sustainability and climate resilience goals. It focuses on the reuse and adaptation of existing buildings and infrastructure. By rehabilitating historic structures, we can reduce demolition waste, minimize the carbon emissions associated with new construction, and extend the life of materials that have already been extracted and manufactured. Additionally, preservation contributes to climate resilience by maintaining walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods, which ultimately reduces our reliance on cars and promotes more energy-efficient living. 

Mark-Anthony Middleton: No response

Ashley N. Robbins: No response

Ward 3: 

Chelsea Cook: It is my hope that preservation work contributes directly to sustainability and climate resilience goals in the form of keeping green spaces and updating structures to ensure they are not causing harm to the environment and the people nearby. Updating older structures can also invite public space, such as parks and gathering places. 

Durant Long: No response

Terry McCann: No response

Diana Medoff: I believe preservation can play an important role in advancing Durham’s sustainability and climate resilience goals. By extending the life of existing buildings, we avoid the waste and carbon emissions that come with demolition and new construction. Preserving and adapting historic homes and neighborhoods also supports walkability, reduces sprawl, and helps maintain the embodied energy already invested in these structures. While preservation is just one part of the broader climate strategy, I see it as a meaningful way Durham can balance respect for its history with responsible stewardship of the environment. 

Mayor: 

Anjanée Bell: Preservation is climate policy. The first rule is simple: the greenest building is the one that already exists. Demolition landfills embodied carbon and demands new, carbon-intensive materials to replace what was lost. In nearly every case, it is better to keep what is built than to replace it. 

My approach: Preserve First, Upgrade Always

● Preserve First standard. Any request to demolish a contributing or potentially contributing structure must pass a life-cycle carbon test and include a deconstruction and salvage plan. Demolition is the last resort. Only in very few cases will demolition be warranted after this test. The City will consult national preservation partners to align our standards with best-in-class practice. 

● Deep-green rehab. Pair preservation with weatherization, envelope upgrades, electrification-ready panels, and high-efficiency systems. Provide low-interest loans and small grants, and expedite permits for rehab that retains primary structures. 

● Adaptive Reuse Bonus. Offer context-safe incentives—reduced parking, modest height or FAR flexibility tied to streetwall protections—for projects that retain significant portions of existing buildings. 

● Deconstruction over demolition. When removal is unavoidable, require material salvage and landfill diversion, and build a local salvage market and workforce pathways in deconstruction and preservation trades. 

● Intensify without erasing. Where it is argued that historic homes “occupy too much land,” prioritize additions, rear-yard ADUs, courtyard apartments, and over-the-garage units that add homes while keeping street-facing fabric intact. 

● Measure what matters. Publicly report CO₂e avoided, landfill diversion, homes rehabilitated, and utility savings to anchor preservation within Durham’s climate goals.

Neighborhood resilience. Historic blocks already deliver climate benefits: mature tree canopy, human-scale streetwalls, and walkable grids that reduce vehicle miles traveled. The City will pair preservation with street-tree replanting, cool roofs where appropriate, permeable surfaces, and green-infrastructure upgrades to reduce heat and flooding risk in vulnerable neighborhoods. 

Durham School of the Arts. I share the concern about the historic DSA complex. Demolition and landfilling are not environmentally sound. The City will work with DPS and the County to prioritize adaptive reuse and treat demolition as an extraordinary exception, not a plan. 

This is how preservation advances sustainability, strengthens climate resilience, and builds a better Durham for everyone. 

Pablo Friedmann: No response

Lloyd Phillips: No response

Angela Reddick: No response

Leonardo Williams: Appropriate appreciation of historic preservation efforts informs Durham’s robust sustainability and climate resilience goals by centering the overall efforts of such goals on the pivotally important task of maintaining the character and history of the

community, while taking intentional steps towards addressing the structural inequalities inherent in climate crises. While some may suggested that these preservation and sustainability goals are mutually exclusive, it is incumbent on well-resourced communities like Durham to lead the way in demonstrating that we don’t have to sacrifice history and culture for the sake of progress. Equitable abundance is possible. And it’s possible in Durham.

Rafiq Zaidi: No response

7. Personal Connection

What is a place in Durham (whether historic or not) that is of particular significance to you? Why?

Ward I: 

Andrea Cazales: No response

DeDreana Freeman: My mixed income, mixed race, rental and homeownership very transitional neighborhood of The Golden Belt neighborhood is especially significant to me and my family. It’s a mixed-income, mixed-race, transitional community with both renters and homeowners, and it has been our home for almost 20 years. Working with neighbors to designate Golden Belt as a local historic district in 2012 was a turning point for me. My husband and I were recognized with an award from the Interneighborhood Council of Durham for that effort, and it opened the door to conversations that eventually inspired me to run for City Council. Serving on Council since then has been an honor, rooted in the work that began right here in my own neighborhood.

Elijah King: A place of significance to me is 21C, formerly known Suntrust Building, and prior to that the CCB Bank, but always remembered as the Hill Building. As one of my favorite art galleries, when I walk past 111 Corcoran Street, I see more than just a building, I see a reminder of what happens when a community chooses to invest in itself, preserve its history, and create spaces where art, culture, and business intersect. It’s also a symbol of how Durham honors its past while building toward the future, something I strive to do in my own work and life.

Matt Kopac: The American Tobacco Campus has particular significance to me, as I spent eleven years working out of the Hill Building while leading sustainability for Burt’s Bees. My kids would come regularly to visit, explore the Hill Building, see the beehive, and walk the length of the campus like a wonderland.

In addition to the vibrancy of being in this beautiful space daily, I had the opportunity to study the history of the campus and the building and proudly share it with student groups and other visitors as a tour guide. I would show pictures, tell stories of the workers who were there before us, and talk about the power of reuse as a sustainability strategy – both for the environment and for cultural heritage. 

Durham had an important choice of whether to tear down its tobacco warehouses like many southern cities did or redevelop them. We are so fortunate that they were preserved. Not only is the campus a stunning example of adaptive reuse, it tells such a powerful and important story about our history that could not be told without the physical space for us to inhabit.

Samaria McKenzie: I live in Hayti Village. I remember when no one even wanted to live in Durham. I remember when every white person I ran into assumed I lived in Durham and not Chapel Hill. Now it’s a sea of middle-class and upper-class white people, and I’m not saying there’s an issue with white people, but Durham doesn’t even feel the same anymore. We are getting looked at as the others in our own city. We are being pushed out and passed over for candidates who appeal more to the outsiders. 

There are developments going up in my neighborhood in Hayti, my poor-ass neighborhood, left and right, towering over the existing properties that have caving roofs. Caving roofs that I’ve tried to beg the City to work with the landlords to repair because my elderly neighbors don’t even know they have rights to a decent living space. It’s sad to see massive condos going up in between historic homes. It’s devastating to see Heritage Square shutting down store after store with developers only suggesting to build more, build higher, and make it impossible to actually thrive or even see the sky. 

It was heartbreaking to see Pelicans Snowball close down on Fayetteville Street. My daughter and I used to go there every day from the time she was born. We can’t go there anymore. We have to go back down to the one on Roxboro. 

The skate park, Durham skate park, is where I spent a lot of my time as a youth and as an adult. It’s where I met a community of people I love dearly, people who are not being represented in those Council seats. That skate park has saved many youth from violence, from gang activity, and from criminal activity. That park has saved many youth, including myself, from dealing with mental health problems. And you know what the City did? They approved a rezoning for a massive condo development, and the park cannot be expanded. That’s forever going to be the limited space we have for our skate park. Forever. We will never have a better skate park in Durham. The kids will never be able to learn different tricks. And I know this may seem insignificant to people who don’t go there, but there’s an entire youth population in Durham that is running out of things to do because the more and more we sacrifice and trade our culture and our spaces for greedy resource hoarders, the more Durham disappears. 

I refuse to leave Durham in such a condition that we are passing the youth a trash bag instead of a baton 

Sheryl Smith: No response

Ward 2

Shanetta Burris: North Carolina Central University holds a special place in my heart. As a double graduate of this institution, I have a deep appreciation for our founder, Dr. James E. Shepherd, a true pioneer who left a rich legacy in the greater Durham community. Without the education and mentorship I received during my time at NCCU, I would not be the woman I am today. I am dedicated to our university’s motto, “In truth and service,” and I am committed to ensuring that as Durham continues to grow, we preserve the unique legacy that makes our city special. 

Mark-Anthony Middleton: No response

Ashley N. Robbins: No response 

Ward 3: 

Chelsea Cook: I have spent a lot of time at the Eno River and love it very deeply. I believe I have hiked every trail of the State Park and have taken classes at West Point. I have done the New Years Day walk with neighbors and have spent so much time with loved ones swimming in the water. Finally, every year I go to the same stretch of the river during Yom Kippur to reflect and meditate. I am so grateful for the historians who have worked to preserve what we know of the people who have cared for this land far before colonization up through the present. 

Durant Long: No response

Terry McCann: There are several places that come to mind.  The one I am choosing is Historic Stagville.  I have only been there once years ago but when I am driving in that part of time I reminisce.  Being a black American, I never forget where I come from as a young man growing up in SE Raleigh with both of my parents.  Being a descendent of enslaved people in America, I challenge myself daily to not let their struggle for freedom go in vain.  I endeavor daily to be my best self and to not allow the narrative that America is a racist place and that the deck is stacked against me because I am black.  In all I do an will become it is because an ancestor of mine that was on a plantation or elsewhere did not give up. 

Diana Medoff: One place in Durham that holds particular significance to me is the American Tobacco Campus. I love how it tells the story of our city’s industrial past—especially through the iconic Lucky Strike water tower, smokestack, and preserved factory buildings—while still being a vibrant, functional space for today’s needs. The coal shed and power plant are great examples: their history is honored with signage and design, but they’ve been thoughtfully repurposed for modern use. Throughout the campus, you’ll find artifacts and markers that reflect the rise and fall of the tobacco industry, yet none of it feels frozen in time. Instead, it’s a model for how Durham can preserve its history while creating space for innovation, commerce, and community. 

Mayor: 

Anjanée Bell: The Kress Building is the place in Durham that most clearly aligns my head and my heart. When I traveled downtown with my father as a little girl—in the years before downtown’s resurgence—the Kress Building was a beacon for me, and it remains so today. Its historic façade, fine-grain storefronts, and human-scale streetwall remind me that beauty and usefulness belong together. It is a building designed for people on foot, for small businesses with big dreams, for a downtown where the sidewalk is the main stage. 

Kress carries layers of meaning. It speaks to the five-and-dime era when everyday commerce knit neighbors together. It also stands within a broader Southern story in which public counters and front doors were contested—then reclaimed—by people insisting on dignity. That history matters. The building is more than beautiful; it is instructive. 

Kress shapes how I lead. Preservation is an economic strategy, not a museum exercise. Ground floors must work for local entrepreneurs and creatives. New construction must respect the streetwall, the rhythm of bays, the transparency of glass, and the scale that invites people to linger. Adaptive reuse should be the first option, not the last. When we keep a building like Kress alive, we keep small businesses alive, we keep culture alive, and we keep memory within reach. 

Kress also informs my approach to affordability. Preserving Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing nearby, supporting repair programs for long-time owner-occupants, and pairing preservation with energy upgrades are how we keep people in place while we welcome growth. The goal is constant: development without displacement, design without erasure. 

When I pass the Kress Building, I see what is possible in Durham—craft, care, and commerce working together. That is the city I will steward: a downtown that honors the buildings that shaped us while opening doors for the next generation of makers, families, and small business owners. That is how we build a better Durham for everyone. 

Pablo Friedmann: No response

Lloyd Phillips: No response

Angela Reddick: No response

Leonardo Williams: A place in Durham that is of particular significance to me is historic Hayti. I firmly believe that there is no better microcosm of the spirit of Durham as a whole, as this community simultaneously reminds us of the groundbreaking excellence of which we are capable in our city, while also continuing to caution us of the necessity of remembering our history, lest we repeat it. We stand on the shoulders of giants each and every day we live our lives in this remarkable city, and it is my honor and privilege to carry forward the story of so many who fought and struggled through history to allow us to be where we are today.

Rafiq Zaidi: No response

Candidates Submissions

Ward 1:

DeDreanna Freeman

Elijah King

Matt Kopac

Samaria McKenzie

Ward 2:

Shanetta Burris

Ward 3:

Chelsea Cook

Terry McCann

Diana Medoff

Mayor:

Anjanée Bell

Leonardo Williams