Mitchell Silver
| |
| Office | Member, Raleigh City Council (District A) |
|---|---|
| Term started | December 2, 2024 |
| Education | Pratt Institute (B.Arch.)
Hunter College (M.U.P.) |
| Profession | Urban planner |
Mitchell Silver is a member of the Raleigh City Council representing District A. He was elected in November 2024. Prior to his election, Silver served as Raleigh’s planning director and later as commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.[1]
Raleigh City Council
On November 5, 2024, Silver won the District A race, defeating incumbent council member Mary Black and fellow challenger Whitney Hill.[2]
| Candidate | Votes | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Silver | 17,900 | 40.04% |
| Whitney Hill | 14,746 | 32.99% |
| Mary Black-Branch | 11,860 | 26.53% |
Silver was sworn into office on December 2, 2024, alongside the incoming City Council.[4]
Biography
Silver was born in Brooklyn, New York, and attended Midwood High School.[5] He earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the Pratt Institute and a Master of Urban Planning degree from Hunter College.[6]
Silver worked in planning and public administration roles in New York, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. prior to relocating to North Carolina.[7]
In 2005, Silver was appointed planning director for the City of Raleigh. He later served as chief planning and development officer, overseeing land use planning and development policy during a period of rapid growth in the city.[8]
Silver served as president of the American Planning Association from 2011 to 2013.[9]
In March 2014, Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed Silver as commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.[10] He served in that role until 2021, when he announced his resignation.[11]
References
- ↑ "New Raleigh councilman brings extensive background in urban planning to City Council" (link). ABC11 WTVD. (November 14, 2024). Accessed January 31, 2026.
- ↑ "In Raleigh’s Seven City Council Races, Most Incumbents Hang On While District A Elects a Former Planning Director" (link). INDY Week. (November 6, 2024). Accessed January 31, 2026.
- ↑ "11/05/2024 Official General Election Results - Wake" (link). NC State Board of Elections. (November 5, 2024). Accessed January 31, 2026.
- ↑ "City of Raleigh swears in mayor, council members" (link). ABC11 WTVD. (December 3, 2024). Accessed January 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Leading Voices: Mitchell Silver" (link). ZRG Partners. (2025). Accessed January 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Planning and Community: A Conversation with Mitch Silver" (link). Hunter Urban Policy & Planning. (October 16, 2011). Accessed January 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Leading Voices: Mitchell Silver" (link). ZRG Partners. (2025). Accessed January 31, 2026.
- ↑ "New Raleigh councilman brings extensive background in urban planning to City Council" (link). ABC11 WTVD. (November 14, 2024). Accessed January 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Mitchell Silver: redesigning the way we live" (link). The Guardian. (July 2, 2013). Accessed January 31, 2026.
- ↑ "De Blasio Appoints Mitchell Silver New Parks Commissioner" (link). Observer. (March 21, 2014). Accessed January 31, 2026.
- ↑ "NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver to Resign" (link). NY1. (March 9, 2021). Accessed January 31, 2026.