'We're coming back': Raleigh mayor talks recovery from pandemic

Standing along Hillsborough Street at the onset of the first Raleigh Christmas Parade in two years, Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin spoke of the city's response to COVID-19 and building more affordable housing in the area as the region continues to experience a population boom.

Posted 3:37 p.m. Nov 20, 2021 — Updated 4:05 p.m. Nov 20, 2021

RALEIGH, N.C. — Standing along Hillsborough Street at the onset of the first in-person Raleigh Christmas Parade in two years, Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin spoke of the city's response to COVID-19 and building more affordable housing in the area as the region continues to experience a population boom.

In an interview with WRAL's Brian Shrader, Baldwin highlighted the city's efforts to boost the economy and rally amid the pandemic.

"The city itself, you know, we're coming back," Baldwin said. "Last night, downtown was full. We have the ice rink opening. That's at noon today. You will see people down here. It's going to feel a little more normal. I'm excited about that."

The parade was a momentous occasion for the city as parade goers lined up to watch along downtown streets after being unable to in 2020. The parade featured 115 different themed floats, bands, marchers and twirlers.

With housing prices becoming a hot-button issue throughout the Triangle, Baldwin noted the partnerships being built in an effort to provide homes for varying price points.

"We were very fortunate," Baldwin said. "We have formed a couple of partnerships. One is with Healing Transitions to expand their services to community dealing with addiction. And we just approved a partnership with CASA to build 100 units of affordable housing right off New Bern Avenue."

The city recently acquired a 113-room hotel on Brentwood Road with the vision of turning it into a mixed occupancy facility combining an extended-stay model along with types of affordable housing. Currently, around 41% of renters and 16% of homeowners in Wake County are considered cost-burdened. That means 30% or more of their budget goes to housing, according to the North Carolina Housing Coalition.

"We bought a healthy hotel that we will turn into affordable housing, a place where we can provide emergency shelter, but also permanent supportive shelter to get people back on their feet. So we have done some of the partnerships. We're looking at ways that we can work with the community."

"Just to see like last night at the tree lighting, hundreds of people came out," Baldwin said. "Last year, we had 12 people. We didn't have a parade last year. It's great to see everybody lining the streets, the kids excited. It's joyful."

Baldwin, the 36th mayor in the city's history, is up for re-election in 2022.

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