WILMINGTON — A longtime Wilmington resident and civil engineer has entered the Wilmington City Council race.
READ MORE: Former commissioner candidate now running for city council
ALSO: JC Lyle announces candidacy for city council, discusses campaign priorities
Richard Collier, who has lived in Wilmington since 1997 and works for McKim and Creed engineering and surveying firm, made his announcement Tuesday in a media press release. Collier has served on the New Hanover County Planning Board from 2007 through 2014 and is currently on the Wilmington Planning Commission. He has held roles as both chairman and vice chairman on both boards.
Collier joins the race along with Cassidy Santaguida, JC Lyle and Chakema Clinton-Quintana, who also announced their campaigns recently. Bill Saffo officially launched his reelection last week as mayor and so far will face off against former county commissioner Jonathan Barfield Jr.
Three seats will be up for vote on city council in the 2025 municipal election; they’re currently obtained by Luke Waddell, Clifford Barnett and Charlie Rivenbark. It’s unclear if the current council members will also seek reelection.
Collier said one of the benefits of his council candidacy is he isn’t a career politician.
“I’m a problem-solver,” Collier said. “I see challenges not as obstacles, but as opportunities to find smart, cost-effective solutions that work in the real world.”
Having grown up on a farm outside Fayetteville and attended N.C. State, Collier has had a three-decade career as a civil engineer and worked on various projects across North Carolina. Local developments include Mayfaire and Riverlights.
Collier’s campaign is focused on infrastructure, environment, public safety and long-term planning, noting leaders must keep pace as Wilmington continues to grow. His goals include modernizing roads to reduce congestion, protecting water quality, expanding sidewalks and bike paths, as well as optimizing public transportation options.
Collier is also concerned with guarding wetlands, floodplains, waterways and the tree canopy, as well as boosting support for first responders and law enforcement partnerships, and making investments in youth programs.
Port City Daily reached out to Collier with specific questions about some issues facing the region; his answers are below. Once all candidates have filed — the deadline is July 7-19 — questionnaires will be sent to everyone with more detailed inquiries, to run ahead of the Nov. 4 election.
Port City Daily (PCD): Considering your career as a civil engineer, what do you say to critics who think there are too many elected officials in the real estate or real estate-adjacent profession in our area? What makes you stand apart?
Richard Collier (RC): I understand the concern, and I agree that we need a diversity of backgrounds on the City Council. I’m not in real estate — I’m a civil engineer. I’ve had the privilege of working across many jurisdictions, gaining a deep understanding of land use, zoning, infrastructure, and the policies that shape growth.
My career and my service on the New Hanover County Planning Board and the City of Wilmington Planning Commission provide me insight on the specific issues council will face and allow me to effectively propose solutions that benefit the entire city long-term. We need folks on council who have this background and knowledge base — and who can bring a practical, problem-solving approach to complex issues.
PCD: You point out congestion, traffic and public transportation options as focuses of your campaign: What new ideas will you bring to the table to address these areas?
RC: Expanding roadways is just one part of a broader solution. I support extending cross-city trails and investing in infrastructure that promotes biking, walking, and public transit. My goal is to create a balanced transportation system that meets the needs of all residents, from drivers to cyclists to pedestrians. That also means advocating for smarter signal timing, intersection upgrades, and long-range planning that looks decades ahead.
PCD: You also mention the phrase “responsible growth” when it comes to environmental needs and development — can you be more specific what that looks like in your view? What’s the biggest challenge to strike that balance?
RC: As a civil engineer, I understand how to balance growth with conservation. Responsible growth means protecting our wetlands and floodplains, preserving trees and green space, and making sure our infrastructure can actually support new development. I’ve worked on projects that do just that. The challenge is meeting our city’s housing needs while safeguarding what makes Wilmington special. It requires careful planning, input from the community, and a commitment to holding developers to high standards. If we lead with a focus on responsible development and environmental stewardship, we can strike that balance.
PCD: Some people have expressed the city is overdeveloped already and the idea for smart growth is “too little, too late” — what do you say to that, and are there solutions or corrections you think are needed?
RC: There are many new residents seeking a place to call home, and they are choosing to pick Wilmington as home. This is a wonderful community — home to us all — with room for additions and improvements. I understand why some people are frustrated. Growth has outpaced infrastructure in some areas, and we’re now playing catch-up. But we can’t reverse the past. We can only make better choices going forward. That means focusing on responsible growth — not moratoriums, and not “not in my backyard,” but planning that is responsible and considerate. When public and private partners work together with a shared goal of preserving what makes Wilmington unique while managing growth, we’ll get the outcomes our community deserves.
PCD: With the city and county running out of land, do you support increasing density via height to avoid further sprawl? Why/why not? What else should the city be doing to address housing needs and more importantly affordable housing?
RC: Yes, I support density through increased height, particularly in areas with existing infrastructure. The updated Land Development Code gives us the framework to do this responsibly — with increased setbacks, landscape screening, and better stormwater controls. Density allows us to preserve more open space and reduce impervious surfaces while also increasing housing options. Having more housing opportunities for both renters and homeowners helps address supply — and when we create more diverse housing types, we create more affordability. That’s just good planning, and it’s how we maintain a thriving city.
PCD: Recently, the city put forth the idea to do away with special use permits, thus foregoing the quasi-judicial process for development consideration. Where do you stand on this?
RC: I’m cautious. While I do support efforts to make the zoning process more accessible and predictable, I don’t believe replacing Special Use Permits (SUPs) with conditional zoning is always the best path forward. There are still limited but important situations where SUPs are appropriate. With the updated Land Development Code, the number of cases that require an SUP has decreased — but we still need a transparent process that gives residents a voice and ensures higher scrutiny for certain projects.
PCD: You mention continuing to protect Wilmington’s wetlands; legislation has made that more precarious in recent years. How would you combat it, if you win your council bid?
RC: Protecting wetlands must be intentional and meaningful. While recent legislation has created some new protections, it has also limited the tools local governments can use. My goal as a Council member will be to support city programs that address stormwater runoff, enforce CAMA regulations, and advance local environmental protections. But we can’t stop at the city limits — we must maintain a strong, respectful working relationship with our local delegation in the General Assembly. I’ll advocate for Wilmington’s needs and make the case that preserving wetlands protects not just the environment, but property, public safety, and long-term community resilience.
PCD: Where do you stand on H.B. 765, which restricts local government’s power to regulate development?
RC: There are parts of HB 765 that I understand and support — particularly efforts to streamline processes and reduce unnecessary red tape. But I do not support taking away local government’s ability to regulate growth in our own communities. Wilmington faces unique challenges as a growing coastal city. One-size-fits-all policies from Raleigh don’t always work here. That’s why it’s important we keep a strong relationship with our legislative delegation. We need to retain local tools to plan responsibly and protect our community’s character.
PCD: You mention law enforcement support and public safety: From where you sit, what are the main issues to tackle in these areas? Pay has been mentioned and a new chief is being hired at the PD; what direction would you like to see the police department go toward?
RC: Public safety begins with properly supporting those who keep us safe. Police officers, firefighters, and emergency responders should be paid competitively and given the tools they need to do their jobs well. Wilmington is hiring a new City Manager and a new Police Chief this year — two leadership positions that will shape our city’s future. I’d like to see a chief with a proven record in crime prevention, department management, and community engagement. At the same time, we need to invest in youth programming that provides safe, positive outlets and encourages future generations to consider serving their community.
PCD: Do you think the city’s report on the third-party investigation into the police department should be released to the public?
RC: Yes. If public funds were used to pay for the report, then the public deserves to see it — with appropriate redactions for privacy and safety. Transparency builds trust, and our institutions depend on that trust to function effectively.
PCD: What do you think the city is getting right and what is it getting wrong currently, and what will you do to help reshape or enhance these areas?
RC: Wilmington is getting several big things right. Crime is down. The Fire Department’s ISO-1 rating is helping reduce insurance costs. We’ve made progress on stormwater management and are expanding affordable housing options. The Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan are strong, living documents that guide good policy.
But there’s still room to improve — especially in how we manage growth, invest in infrastructure, and engage the community. I want to future-proof Wilmington by taking a common-sense approach to planning for five, 10, and 20 years down the road. I’ll make choices that ensure Wilmington continues to be a city we’re proud of — for both current residents and future generations.
The New Hanover County GOP highlighted on its calendar a meet-and-greet and public announcement party with Richard Collier, to take place May 8 at Ironclad Brewery (115 N. Second St.), 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Want to read more from PCD? Subscribe now and then sign up for our morning newsletter, Wilmington Wire, and get the headlines delivered to your inbox every morning.
