Raleigh Resolutions: What leaders, residents want for the city in 2024

WRAL Hidden History reporter Heather Leah took that question to city leaders and citizens, local business owners and non-profit leaders, artists and historians, parents and children. We asked people who grew up in Raleigh and people who have just moved here. We asked people who live in different areas of the city, from north Raleigh to Midtown to south Raleigh to downtown Raleigh.

The diversity of answers was incredible – some were fun, some were serious. And some responses came up again and again, showing a clearer perspective on the kind of city Raleigh's residents want to see.

The phrase that came up again and again – from citizens and city leaders alike – will likely not surprise anyone: Affordable housing.

The cost of renting or buying homes has increased significantly in Raleigh over the past few years. While some jobs have increased their pay to help adjust for inflation, many have not.

"Affordable housing. I don’t mean low-income housing, not that there is anything wrong with that, but housing that hardworking, middle class people can afford" - Simone G.

"Affordable housing. Not everyone moving here, or who currently lives here, makes a 6-figure salary to afford the $500,000 average home price!" - Stephen R.

"Affordable housing. The only places I am seeing affordable housing is in dangerous cities with bad schools that would give us an hour drive to work or longer. My husband and I have been putting off buying our first home, and every year it just seems harder and harder to even achieve that goal" - Hayley R.

"Rent control and requirement reform. For everybody! A good 80% of these jobs in Raleigh are not even paying out the three times amount of $2000 rent a month that they are currently asking for." - Karuan G.

"Housing. Housing. Housing. Better pay too. The jobs don't pay much here, making it hard to get decent housing." - Brenda M.

"Affordable housing! But not apartments or townhomes. Affordable single family homes." -Laura K.

"Someone needs to pay attention to the growing homeless population in our city. Also, the hotels have become transitional housing for families. Let's talk homeless prevention." - Sam A.

"Less need for homeless camps; more help for people without housing." - Mike and Bailey

Raleigh mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin agrees. She said, "The one thing I want to see is housing for everyone. There are too many people who are living tents, children who are living in cars."

When asked her wish for Raleigh in the new year, she said, "We have to work with our county, our state, the federal government – this is a national crisis. What I'm really hoping for for New Year's is all of these groups can come together and really address this issue, because that is the start of equity. If children are living in cars, how can they study? How can they do well in school? How can we expect them to move forward? So I just want to see that equitable treatment, for everyone to make a difference in their lives."

Several downtown residents and business owners acknowledged a shift in the overall popularity of downtown Raleigh. Many locals recall a time when Fayetteville Street was vibrant, full of music, shops, festivals and patrons. Lately, it's been more like a ghost town, some say.

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"It's safe to come downtown, now," she said. "We have all these fun stores. We want to see more people downtown," she said. "Please come downtown, or else we won't have any downtown Raleigh anymore."

Danielle and Cody Leach, who are raising their young daughter while living in downtown, say they often brainstorm about what would bring more foot traffic to downtown during the week and weekends.

"Interactive public art, picnic tables, bookstores, places to bring your kids or meet up with friends," said Danielle. "It brings foot traffic that creates a vibe of a place people want to be. It spirals in a positive way."

"If someone comes to downtown and feels uncomfortable, then they aren't going to come back," said Cody Leach.

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Raising a young family in downtown, the couple has plenty of ideas for how to create a vibrant, livable and walkable downtown Raleigh. Danielle Leach has to drive to Cary to find a co-working space that has childcare, and the couple said there's no pharmacy or indoor play spaces near their downtown home either.

"It's these places where people come regularly that gets them out and about and creates neighborhoods," Daniell Leach said.

"Clean up downtown. Especially Fayetteville street. Love all the restaurants and different things coming. More events." - Riss M.

"The city to prioritize the promotion of downtown and to actually support it." - Alex L.

"More more more of the festival type stuff celebrating all of our city’s diversity, inclusive of all our fabulous and varied communities. Let’s party it up, eat, drink, and be merry … free admission to all." - Bibi B.

"I know a lot of people who want to bring their kids with them for early evening outings with their significant others due to lack of available babysitters, but they can’t, because there really aren’t a lot of child-friendly places that are open in the evenings. So, more places like breweries that are fun and appropriate for all ages, including kids, and that stay open until, say, 9 or so." - Anne B.

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"I have lived in a couple of places that have pedestrian malls, and I love that idea. It has increased tourism for those places," said one woman, who cited locations like Boulder, CO, and Burlington, VT. "It's a place you put on your agenda to visit. Shopping, restaurants, outdoor courtyard areas. I think that'd be a fun tourist attraction for Raleigh, and bring some money in." - Deanne

"Anxiously awaiting the completion of Dix Park! There's so much coming down the pipe there already, just exercising patience and giving input as time goes on to make sure it becomes a fantastic central park for our city." - Bryan C.

"Keeping The International Bluegrass Association (IBMA) Convention and Wide Open Bluegrass Festival in Raleigh beyond this year at any cost. It's brought over $88 million to Raleigh and it needs to stay here." - Rachel Z.

"More Thai food. I love it, and I feel like Downtown Raleigh could really use a really great [Thai food] chef that just knows what they're doing." - Steve

"More town events. Like kid participation. More places for hangouts for families. Parks with separate, age-appropriate play areas." - Pauline T.

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"Conversations on slowing growth down? Growth is great, but growth for growth's sake is not good. How are we supporting those people and businesses that are already in place?" Cole W.

As for keeping downtown Raleigh and the surrounding areas safe, the Raleigh Police Department shared their own New Year's Resolution for Raleigh: "Our resolution is for a safe, prosperous, and thriving 2024 for all who live, work, and visit Raleigh. We vow to continue building strong and meaningful relationships with the communities we serve to make Raleigh the safest city in the country."

With Raleigh growing rapidly, traffic is becoming a concern in some parts of the city. Residents along Six Forks Road near North Hills expressed concern that new construction has created a strain on existing roads.

"This road is unbelievable. Sometimes I feel like I'm taking my life in my hands," Diane Young told WRAL News. She lives near North Hills.

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"Transportation! Raleigh and the surrounding cities are too big not to have a Metro, MARTA or some type of railway system. It's like they are 20 years behind other metropolitan areas when it comes to transportation. I moved from Raleigh to Selma and worked in Raleigh for several years after I moved. I live in a railway town, and there are no commuter train routes that go to Raleigh." - Tara G.

"A commuter train running the Beltline and I-40 connecting the outlying communities of Raleigh, since most of us have to live way out to be able to actually afford something to live in that has some protection from the elements." - Hank P.

"If you don't have funds for a car or Uber, then the public transportation getting around Raleigh is extremely hard. The number of bus stops near affordable or subsidized apartments or day cares has decreased." - Sam A.

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"Improving public transportation. Maybe more people would visit downtown and frequent more of the businesses if it was easier to get around without fighting for parking." - Cee T.

"Road expansion to cut down on all of the crazy traffic due to growth." - Melissa S.

"Finish the Beltline!" - Tom I.

"I-40 is crazy!" - Amy M.

When asked their wish for the new year, some of Raleigh's young people responded by showing just how big their hearts are – and what a bright future they hope to create.

"The city needs more superheros," said one 10-year-old boy.

"A clean-up community center. People cleaning up a ton of trash, because it's awful for the environment," said Sadie, a little girl who picks up litter around her community.

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"Better air and oxygen for the world," said her sister.

Many adults agreed.

"There is a litter problem in Raleigh, especially in some areas like Old Wake Forest Road and Litchford Road, so I would ask for keeping the city cleaner," said Paloma N.

"Stop building up to the river, and not providing enough space for environmental run-off," said Jennifer P.

City of Raleigh gives people a chance to serve through volunteering

Citizens bringing their voices to city leaders is one of the best ways to shape the future of Raleigh.

Christina Jones, city councilor for District E, reflected on the power of making an impact in 2024, saying, "What I really hope for Raleigh and Raleigh residents as we move forward into 2024 and beyond -- is for you to recognize your voice. I want you to know how powerful and impactful that can be in your day to day life. As we go into January and February, I want you to know that we're here, and I want to hear all your thoughts. Bring them to the table. Because we can't make Raleigh great without having all of the thoughts and ideas. We'll see you soon, hopefully at a city council meeting!"

Fellow city councilor Megan Patton of District B, also shared her vision for Raleigh's future, saying, "My New Years Resolution for the city is a year filled with more direct connections between neighbors, between community members; because Raleigh’s people are truly what make this place special."

That's a future we can all create together.