News

2019 Raleigh Municipal Election Downtown South Candidate Questionnaire Responses

Support

Mary-Ann Baldwin Candidate Mayor

1. There is a proposal to build a Downtown South Sports and Entertainment Stadium in Southeast Raleigh. The multi-purpose center would host the games for the North Carolina Football Club and North Carolina Courage professional soccer teams as well as host other sporting events like local college games and a wide variety of concert, entertainment, business and community events. In general, would you support or oppose building the proposed Downtown South Entertainment and Sports Stadium in Raleigh?

I support the proposal to build a Downtown South Sports and Entertainment Stadium because this is about more than a stadium. The stadium would actually serve as a catalyst for redevelopment in this area, which is currently vacant industrial property. South Raleigh has long needed private investment, jobs and opportunity. This proposal would bring new life to an area that is close to downtown, I-40, on a proposed bus rapid transit line and a greenway. I can’t think of a better location.

2. The Downtown South Sports and Entertainment Stadium would benefit local colleges like William Peace University and Shaw University who would be able to use the facility for their sports games, graduations and other events. Knowing this, would it make you support the project?

That is an additional plus.

3. Would you support the use of interlocal funds (tourism taxes) to help with the creation of the Downtown South Sports and Entertainment Stadium? If no, what other funding would you suggest be used for the creation of this sports complex?

I would support the use of interlocal funds, which can only be used for tourism projects and would not cost taxpayers money. However, I would prefer using tax increment financing (TIF) as the main investment tool.

4. A recent report by the Urban Land Institute called for the creation of an independent authority to help serve to govern the Downtown South Sports and Entertainment Stadium – similar to the authority that governs the PNC Arena. Do you support the creation of this third-party authority to help govern the new sports and entertainment stadium?

This makes sense. It could also fall under the governance of the Centennial Authority as a Plan B, provided that board was expanded.

5. A recent report by the Urban Land Institute indicated that the Downtown South Sports and Entertainment Stadium would help spur needed economic development opportunities in Southeast Raleigh. Knowing that the complex will not displace any residents but instead it will help create an asset for Southeast Raleigh that will create job opportunities as well as needed youth programs for that community would this make you a supporter of the project?

This is one of the major reasons I support the proposal, in addition to the developer’s commitment to include workforce and mixed-income housing on site, a partnership with Wake Tech for workforce training, and the availability of soccer fields for area youth.

Nicole Stewart Candidate Council at Large (Incumbent)

I would support building the proposed Downtown South Entertainment and Sports Stadium.

Yes.

Yes, at the right time. I also think we should look into using tax increment financing, which is a special tax district that would allow the development to reinvest in itself.

Yes.

Yes, and I would love to see a Community Benefits Agreement considered for this project – to be held between a local nonprofit (or collection of nonprofits) and the developer.

Brian Fitzsimmons Candidate Council District B

In general, I would support it. With everything I have seen so far, this project has the chance to cover so many of our needs, if done right. We can’t unilaterally turn this down in the hopes of achieving some pipe dream for a piece of land we don’t own. We have the chance to help shape this project from the beginning, and we have parties that are ready and willing to invest their time in money. Let’s find ways to address as many of our needs with the viable participants we have on the table first.

Yes. It certainly is an added benefit. The only way, in my view, that this project truly works is if we look at the stadium as a multi-use venue.

Yes. With any interlocal spend, it’s hard to wrap our heads around spending money on this considering the litany of other issues we must address. As such, when I think of spending that money, I would try to focus on projects that can appease the original purpose of the funds (“heads in beds”) while also touching on our most important issues (infrastructure, affordable housing, cross-spectrum job growth, etc.) This project can do that.

Yes, I think that’s in the best interests of the city. I’d be interested in seeing if there would be any services that could be shared between the Centennial Authority and this one, considering the similarity in scope.

If this is in fact the case, then yes, but the devil is in the details. We need to make sure that we hold ourselves, and this project, to this charge.

David Knight Candidate Council District E

There is a proposal to build a Downtown South Sports and Entertainment Stadium in Southeast Raleigh. The multi-purpose center would host the games for the North Carolina Football Club and North Carolina Courage professional soccer teams as well as host other sporting events like local college games and a wide variety of concert, entertainment, business and community events. In general, would you support or oppose building the proposed Downtown South Entertainment and Sports Stadium in Raleigh?

Support.

The Downtown South Sports and Entertainment Stadium would benefit local colleges like William Peace University and Shaw University who would be able to use the facility for their sports games, graduations and other events. Knowing this, would it make you support the project?

It would make me support the project even more so.

Would you support the use of interlocal funds (tourism taxes) to help with the creation of the Downtown South Sports and Entertainment Stadium? If no, what other funding would you suggest be used for the creation of this sports complex?

I would.

A recent report by the Urban Land Institute called for the creation of an independent authority to help serve to govern the Downtown South Sports and Entertainment Stadium – similar to the authority that governs the PNC Arena. Do you support the creation of this third-party authority to help govern the new sports and entertainment stadium?

Generally, yes, but I need more information on what such an arrangement would look like to make a final decision.

A recent report by the Urban Land Institute indicated that the Downtown South Sports and Entertainment Stadium would help spur needed economic development opportunities in Southeast Raleigh. Knowing that the complex will not displace any residents but instead it will help create an asset for Southeast Raleigh that will create job opportunities as well as needed youth programs for that community would this make you a supporter of the project?

It would make me support it even more so.

James Bledsoe – Candidate Council at Large

I believe that the DSSES would be a good asset for the city and teams in Raleigh by providing not only a home stadium for the Club & Courage, but a solid event location for entertainment and a good source of revenue. As long as we make the most of the stadium by allowing schools to concerts to play there when the Club or Courage isn't, I think we'll see a good investment take shape.

I'm very supportive of this being a multi-use stadium and even more supportive of local schools taking advantage of the space for games, graduations, and any other events. Their land is limited, so this would be an excellent field for them to use. All for it.

Yes. Due to this tax being only available for tourism, the fund is growing and cannot be used for anything else. So let's put that money to use! My one stipulation is that we can only use funds from the tourism tax, no tax raises for it, and the stadium must be available to the CoR, schools, and other entities. If we are going to be putting these funds to use, then we need access.

I would support the creation of a DSSES Authority. The city council has enough of its plate to deal with and so does the CoR Government. This entity could still receive instructions in intent from the city but also can focus solely on maintaining a successful domain.

Absolutely! As long as there are no residents displaced and SE Raleigh benefits, I'm all for this. I would also like to ask that preference of employment be given to those in District C for hiring staff. SE Raleigh needs economic development and access to more jobs. if we can get an employee shuttle system, including the buses, to operate from within SE Raleigh to the DSSES, folks in the area would benefit greatly.

Patrick Buffkin – Candidate Council District A

In general, I support this type of development to activate a part of Raleigh that is in desperate need of revitalization and investment.

Yes. I am pleased to hear that the project promoters are in conversations about benefiting the local community, including local colleges.

Yes, I support the use of interlocal funds for this project because these investments will promote tourism and economic development. I also want to explore options for additional funding streams that would capture the value created by this development, including the potential for use of municipal service district and for tax increment financing.

Yes, if structured in the appropriate way to ensure benefits to the community, I think that an independent authority similar to the Centennial Authority would be useful to guiding the development of the sports and entertainment stadium.

Yes, and I want to see additional benefits to the local community, for example, incorporating support for housing affordability in Southeast Raleigh.

Jonathan Melton Candidated Council At Large

Yes, I support building the proposed Downtown South Entertainment and Sports Stadium.

Yes, making this facility available to other groups is a great use of the space and makes this asset more equitable to all in Raleigh.

Yes, these funds are only intended to support tourism-generating projects, and this is a great project for that purpose.

Yes, it seems to work well for PNC Arena.

Yes, it’s important that the surrounding communities are protected from being priced out of their homes and that the jobs in construction, and then the daily operations of the facility are paid at fair, livable wages.

Saige Martin Candidate Council District D

Yes, but only if the surrounding communities are engaged and if the developers lay out clear plans to address the many lingering concerns. In addition, the developers should enter into a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) to ensure that the community is getting what it needs. However, if affordability, living wages, and other concerns are not properly addressed and accurately planned for, then I would not support the project.

I support it if the community leaders and university leaders support it and feel it would maximize the student experience but I don't feel I should be making that decision for them.

No. I support the idea of the proposed development, but as it’s currently laid out, I would not vote to use interlocal funds to finance the development. However, if developers can provide clarity and measurable outcomes to the council and southeast Raleigh regarding the ways in which the development will increase economic opportunity and upward mobility for the area then I could support the use of interlocal funds. I see a great deal of potential with the project overall, but I need specifics before using taxpayer dollars on such an investment and would want to push for additional facilities to be incorporated like community meeting spaces and arts facilities to expand the scope and reach of the development. Second, I would want to cap our commitment at 15-years to limit the risk the city was taking on. 30-years is a very long time and we need to ensure we have our long – term financial interests in mind.

Yes.

Yes, but residents from southeast Raleigh need an actual stake in the development overall not just an opportunity to share their thoughts at meetings. The impacts of this development needs to be clearly laid out for residents and they should have a vote on the proposed development. If they feel the proposal does not meet the community's needs then that is a hard line in the sand for me.

Currently Uncommitted

Charles Francis – Candidate Mayor

I am not for the stadium at this time. More information is needed. Traffic impacts, tax and bond requests, and a range of high paying jobs available to the broader community are needed.

The stadium must include these neighboring schools and the possible access to the larger community as a whole before I support this endeavor.

If tourism taxes are not the majority funding source for the stadium I would consider this option. Additionally, city leaders need to weigh out more pressing tax needs. I would not be in support of a tax increase for the stadium.

An independent authority should help in governing the stadium similar to the how the Centennial Authority oversees the PNC arena.

More information is needed beyond displacement and low wage jobs. Citizens should be informed about all jobs available at various pay scales. A full transparent economic impact study is needed before supporting this project.

Response from Stef Mendell – Candidate Council District E (Incumbent)

I support the feasibility study that Wake County and the City of Raleigh have agreed to fund.

My support or opposition will be determined by the results of that study, as well as by community feedback.

I don’t feel it’s appropriate to comment further at this time.

Response from Kay Crowder – Candidate Council District D (Incumbent)

I am always open to new ideas and opportunities to enhance Raleigh. I am in support of the feasibility study that Wake County and the City of Raleigh have agreed to fund.

My goal will be to take the results of the study, conversation with the developer and community input to help me determine what direction the city should move forward with.

I don't believe that it would be prudent for me to comment any further at this time.

Shelia Alamin-Khashoggi Candidate Council District C

There is a proposal to build a Downtown South Sports and Entertainment Stadium in Southeast Raleigh. The multi-purpose center would host the games for the North Carolina Football Club and North Carolina Courage professional soccer teams as well as host other sporting events like local college games and a wide variety of concert, entertainment, business and community events. In general, would you support or oppose building the proposed Downtown South Entertainment and Sports Stadium in Raleigh?

The possible benefits of this facility are promising but my concern is for the residents in the neighboring communities within a five to ten mile radius of this sports facility. Residents and other travelers through that area including on the interstate will have to also contend with the traffic generated by games and other events at the facility. Not to mention that District C is already challenged with the added congestion of event traffic headed to the Walnut Creek Amphitheater. Since the proposal calls for a stadium, the invasiveness of the noise and lights will also be a real problem for neighborhoods with that five to ten mile radius of this facility if it remains as planned. The difference between an arena and a stadium is a roof.

The Downtown South Sports and Entertainment Stadium would benefit local colleges like William Peace University and Shaw University who would be able to use the facility for their sports games, graduations and other events. Knowing this, would it make you support the project?

The facility should be at no cost for the District C HBCUs – Shaw University, St. Augustine University, and the Vernon Malone College and Career Academy – to use. Also, there needs to be a Community Benefits Agreement so that, for instance, students at these HBCUs will get several substantial scholarships and paid internships in the students’ fields of study such as student interns working with the stadium’s administration offices.

A City Council recently shared that when Mr. Kane requested to receive some city funds to help with the develop North Hills, his request was rejected, but Mr. Kane found the money to complete the development. Now as then, I have no doubt that a consummate businessman as Mr. Kane and his associates will find the $180 million to construct the sports complex as well as the funds needed to complete the rest of the $1.9 Billion project.

I would support this idea as long as none of the city’s funds are used.

Again, the sports and entertainment complex is part of a development project proposed to be constructed in an Opportunity Zone. It was reported that this $1.9 Billion proposal of which the sports complex is one component that will include “…1.6 billion square feet of feet office space; 1200 hotel rooms; 1,750 apartments; and 125,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space.” of those 1,750 apartments…” In a news article the question was raised, “Will the stadium project affect my tax bill?” the latter part of the answer was that “the developers have told the city this will cause property values in that part of town to increase, plus there will be more demand for government services there.” It was also reported that the downside would be “…gentrification and the possibility that people and businesses that are there now will be priced out of the neighborhood.” That being said and previously mentioned, a Community Benefits Agreement would have to be in place to assure that a benefit to at-risk youths in the community can, for example, participate in a paid apprenticeship program in construction, real estate, and entrepreneurship. For example, please watch this YouTube video: https://youtu.be/jigu02U2Xfc. Also, the developers would have to agree to be a participating investor in a Community Opportunity Zone investment.

Against

Zainab Baloch – Candidate Mayor

Of the 45 major stadiums built since 2000, a total of 36 were financed through tax-free municipal bonds. Their total cost to taxpayers? More than $3.2 billion. Only 2 percent of economists surveyed by the University of Chicago in 2017 agreed with the notion that stadium subsidies generate more economic benefits than costs for local taxpayers. If you’re an advocate for affordable housing, we’ve got to understand that building this stadium will only push out our residents faster. We need to be diligent as we bring new developments in, to ensure that they are involving surrounding communities, and are structured in a way that is beneficial to the nearby families who have been living in south Raleigh for generations.

No, Dorthea Dix park which is 308 acres would be a great place to let Shaw, St. Aug, WCPSS, and William Peace University have a space for their sports games, graduations and other events.

Earlier this year, Malik and Kane asked the city and county for $330 million — $11 million a year for the next 30 years. The City of Raleigh’s FY2020 Budget put $13.6 million towards the Affordable Housing Plan. History shows us public dollars going into the stadium and arena financing are a bad deal for taxpayers.

The soccer mixed use project is in an “opportunity zone,” which are set aside for low-income areas in need of real estate investment. Basically, investors don’t have to pay taxes until 2026. How will this project invest back into a community in need of people first housing, access to healthy food, more daycare options, thriving jobs and much more?

Nope. PACT (Police Accountability Community Taskforce) has been ignored for three years by Council while asking for a third-party authority.

From 1986 to 2015, $17 billion in tax-exempt debt was used to help finance stadium projects, at a cost of $4 billion to taxpayers. In Arizona, state legislators recently considered a bill that would have the state join an agreement that prohibits the “use of taxpayer dollars for private professional sports stadiums and facilities.” San Francisco was able to retain its baseball team, the Giants, and gain a basketball team, the Warriors, without paying any taxpayer money towards the construction of either stadium.

Stadium subsidies are a poor use of taxpayer money. They rarely reap the benefits their supporters claim, and they often shift tax revenue away from more-pressing needs. We shouldn’t rely on professional sports teams to improve our economic competitiveness. We should invest in more cost-effective improvements, such as new and improved infrastructure. We should utilize participatory budgeting and let the community decide what arts, culture, sports, or tourism projects would bring the most economic impact to those already living there. We’ve got to reconcile the actual economics of stadium subsidies with the political pressure and prestige draw of hosting a sports team.

George Knott – Candidate Mayor

No, Private stadium = Private funds

Absolutely not

Not today, not tomorrow, not ever

Portia Rochelle – Candidate Council at Large

Oppose- committed to land use to affordable housing.

No, not sure how this will lower the cost of education. There is no data on whether or not the Universities will be able to afford to use the stadium.

No. Other funding should come from private investors.

Yes.

Maybe. I have not had the opportunity to read and understand the report by the Urban Land Institute.

Support

Mary-Ann Baldwin Candidate Mayor

That is an additional plus.

This makes sense. It could also fall under the governance of the Centennial Authority as a Plan B, provided that board was expanded.

Nicole Stewart Candidate Council at Large (Incumbent)

I would support building the proposed Downtown South Entertainment and Sports Stadium.

Yes.

Yes, at the right time. I also think we should look into using tax increment financing, which is a special tax district that would allow the development to reinvest in itself.

Yes.

Yes, and I would love to see a Community Benefits Agreement considered for this project – to be held between a local nonprofit (or collection of nonprofits) and the developer.

Brian Fitzsimmons Candidate Council District B

Yes. It certainly is an added benefit. The only way, in my view, that this project truly works is if we look at the stadium as a multi-use venue.

If this is in fact the case, then yes, but the devil is in the details. We need to make sure that we hold ourselves, and this project, to this charge.

David Knight Candidate Council District E

There is a proposal to build a Downtown South Sports and Entertainment Stadium in Southeast Raleigh. The multi-purpose center would host the games for the North Carolina Football Club and North Carolina Courage professional soccer teams as well as host other sporting events like local college games and a wide variety of concert, entertainment, business and community events. In general, would you support or oppose building the proposed Downtown South Entertainment and Sports Stadium in Raleigh?

Support.

The Downtown South Sports and Entertainment Stadium would benefit local colleges like William Peace University and Shaw University who would be able to use the facility for their sports games, graduations and other events. Knowing this, would it make you support the project?

It would make me support the project even more so.

Would you support the use of interlocal funds (tourism taxes) to help with the creation of the Downtown South Sports and Entertainment Stadium? If no, what other funding would you suggest be used for the creation of this sports complex?

I would.

A recent report by the Urban Land Institute called for the creation of an independent authority to help serve to govern the Downtown South Sports and Entertainment Stadium – similar to the authority that governs the PNC Arena. Do you support the creation of this third-party authority to help govern the new sports and entertainment stadium?

Generally, yes, but I need more information on what such an arrangement would look like to make a final decision.

A recent report by the Urban Land Institute indicated that the Downtown South Sports and Entertainment Stadium would help spur needed economic development opportunities in Southeast Raleigh. Knowing that the complex will not displace any residents but instead it will help create an asset for Southeast Raleigh that will create job opportunities as well as needed youth programs for that community would this make you a supporter of the project?

It would make me support it even more so.

James Bledsoe – Candidate Council at Large

I believe that the DSSES would be a good asset for the city and teams in Raleigh by providing not only a home stadium for the Club & Courage, but a solid event location for entertainment and a good source of revenue. As long as we make the most of the stadium by allowing schools to concerts to play there when the Club or Courage isn’t, I think we’ll see a good investment take shape.

I’m very supportive of this being a multi-use stadium and even more supportive of local schools taking advantage of the space for games, graduations, and any other events. Their land is limited, so this would be an excellent field for them to use. All for it.

Yes. Due to this tax being only available for tourism, the fund is growing and cannot be used for anything else. So let’s put that money to use! My one stipulation is that we can only use funds from the tourism tax, no tax raises for it, and the stadium must be available to the CoR, schools, and other entities. If we are going to be putting these funds to use, then we need access.

Absolutely! As long as there are no residents displaced and SE Raleigh benefits, I’m all for this. I would also like to ask that preference of employment be given to those in District C for hiring staff. SE Raleigh needs economic development and access to more jobs. if we can get an employee shuttle system, including the buses, to operate from within SE Raleigh to the DSSES, folks in the area would benefit greatly.

Patrick Buffkin – Candidate Council District A

In general, I support this type of development to activate a part of Raleigh that is in desperate need of revitalization and investment.

Yes. I am pleased to hear that the project promoters are in conversations about benefiting the local community, including local colleges.

Yes, and I want to see additional benefits to the local community, for example, incorporating support for housing affordability in Southeast Raleigh.

Jonathan Melton Candidated Council At Large

Yes, I support building the proposed Downtown South Entertainment and Sports Stadium.

Yes, making this facility available to other groups is a great use of the space and makes this asset more equitable to all in Raleigh.

Yes, these funds are only intended to support tourism-generating projects, and this is a great project for that purpose.

Yes, it seems to work well for PNC Arena.

Saige Martin Candidate Council District D

I support it if the community leaders and university leaders support it and feel it would maximize the student experience but I don’t feel I should be making that decision for them.

Yes.

Yes, but residents from southeast Raleigh need an actual stake in the development overall not just an opportunity to share their thoughts at meetings. The impacts of this development needs to be clearly laid out for residents and they should have a vote on the proposed development. If they feel the proposal does not meet the community’s needs then that is a hard line in the sand for me.