PUBLIC SAFETY/CRIME

1. Reducing Gun Violence
Lives are at stake daily. Reducing gun violence is the most urgent priority.

2. Prevention of Youth Justice Involvement
Prevention builds long-term safety and opportunity for Durham’s young people.

3. Keeping Residents Safe from ICE
Trust in local government requires separating community safety from federal enforcement.

4. Increasing Participation of Unsworn Personnel
Civilian staff expand efficiency and effectiveness without defaulting to policing alone.

5. Increasing the Number of Police Officers
More officers come last. Safety must be built on prevention, trust, and accountability first.

ENVIRONMENT

1. Environmental Resilience Policy
Resilience is the most urgent because Durham is already facing flooding, heat, and storm risks. Protecting vulnerable neighborhoods and lives comes first.

2. Environmental Sustainability
Sustainability ensures long-term health—clean water, clean air, and reduced emissions. It is foundational to Durham’s future.

3. Green Building Initiative
Buildings shape our daily lives and energy costs. Greener construction and renovation directly lower burdens on residents while meeting climate goals.

4. Trees and Landscaping Requirements for Development
Tree canopy is critical for cooling, runoff control, and health. It is prioritized here after resilience, sustainability, and building, to ensure equity and enforcement.

5. Creating Urban Density Consistent with Neighborhood History
Density has environmental benefits but must be balanced with housing, history, and community trust. It is important, but comes last because it depends on the first four being in place.

INFRASTRUCTURE

1. Improving/Repairing Water and Sewer Infrastructure
Foundational systems come first. Without safe water and functioning sewers, public health and growth are at risk.

2. Improvements in Streets and Thoroughfares
Road safety and maintenance directly affect lives and daily mobility. Streets are next because they carry the entire city.

3. Improving Parks, Trails, and Open Spaces
Parks connect health, recreation, and belonging. Expanding and maintaining them builds community strength.

4. Park Contamination Remediation
Cleaning contaminated parks is urgent for fairness and health, but follows once core infrastructure is stable.

5. Distribution of Facilities and Services
Equitable access is important, yet comes after urgent system fixes. It ensures all communities share in Durham’s resources.

TRANSIT

1. Vision Zero Infrastructure
Safety is the highest priority—no resident should die traveling Durham’s streets.

2. Improving Bus Service Access
Transit equity means reliable, affordable buses for those who depend on them most.

3. Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety and Access
Safe walking and biking infrastructure supports health and links residents to buses, schools, and jobs.

4. Accessibility Improvements to Multimodal Infrastructure
Equity across age and ability ensures all Durham residents can move freely.

5. Plans that Increase the Speed of Public Transit
Speed matters for efficiency, but it follows safety, access, and equity in priority.

HOUSING/ZONING

1. Affordable Housing
Housing stability anchors every other priority—without it, opportunity and equity are impossible.

2. Unhoused Neighbors
Addressing homelessness is a moral and practical imperative. Housing-first solutions protect lives and dignity.

3. Meaningful Public Engagement in Land Use Decisions/Zoning Changes
Development must be shaped with residents, not imposed on them. Trust begins with real engagement.

4. Protecting Neighborhoods
Growth must respect cultural memory and prevent displacement. Protecting neighborhoods builds long-term stability.

5. Small Area Planning
Planning matters, but it is effective only when housing, homelessness, and engagement are secured first.

OTHER

1. Reducing Homeowner Tax Burdens
Housing stability comes first. Protecting homeowners from displacement safeguards community roots.

2. Public Recreation Services
Recreation builds safe outlets, health, and belonging. It is the next investment in strong neighborhoods.

3. Historic Preservation
Cultural and historic identity are essential to Durham’s future. Preservation prevents erasure and anchors legacy.

4. Public Art
Art fosters connection and creativity. It strengthens the community, but follows after housing and preservation priorities.

5. New Convention Facility
This is the lowest priority. Durham must first focus on urgent needs that affect daily life and stability.