Protect. Plan. Progress.
Greenville can head in one of two directions, one of unplanned growth, rising costs, traffic, and homelessness or the path of strategic planning and innovation that invests in our future now so that all Greenvillians can thrive.
I’m running for Greenville City Council At-Large to bring my expertise in neighborhood, city, and community and economic development planning to city leadership.
We need homes people can afford, reduced traffic, accessible childcare, and our green space preserved.
Priorities
Transforming Transit for a Cleaner, Safer City
I'm working to expand public transit options. My plan includes 30-minute bus route turnaround times, extended public transit operating hours, and safe, connected bike lanes – all while encouraging increased ridership to reduce traffic (100k people daily) and improve air quality. My revenue strategy avoids tax hikes by using innovative technology to better our traffic light system while letting speeders, texters, and red-light runners fund these improvements. This not only accelerates transit upgrades, but also promotes safer streets for everyone and allows our law enforcement to focus on public safety and not traffic.
Affordable Homes, Strategic Community Building
Our city needs housing that our workforce can afford (from police officers, to our teachers, retail workers, and more). We need to retain both our young families and lifelong residents in the City of Greenville. With nearly 60% of homes now rentals, we’re losing balance and local investment. We can change that by supporting missing middle housing types, smart infill development, incentivizing our nodes for growth with strategic investment zones to protect neighborhoods, and creating opportunities for affordable homeownership through land trust models, co-op housing, and vacant parcel tools. Permanent supportive housing is also key to ensuring no neighbor is left behind. My work experience focuses on innovative solutions for this exact problem, from policies to funding solutions.
Protecting Our Green Spaces
Development shouldn’t come at the cost of our environment. Too many trees have been lost in our city, especially after recent storms. I helped strengthen the tree ordinance without compromising affordability, and as a result the City is sitting on $1 million in tree fees, but no plan. I’m advocating for a dedicated tree canopy and open space plan for Greenville. This plan would guide strategic replanting efforts, working with private homeowners and the community to restore what’s been lost and protect our natural assets for future generations. It would also put a focus back on neighborhood parks, particularly those that have lacked investment. Let’s grow a greener, more sustainable Greenville together.
Accessible Childcare and Youth Support
Families need affordable, accessible childcare from birth through age 17. With our growing population and childcare waitlists, expanding access is essential to helping parents and children thrive. This can be done by small changes in zoning to allow more childcare centers. We can also re-invest in afterschool and summer programs to reduce childcare expenses (now as much as a mortgage!). This is something that can be done by adjusting costs on a sliding scale to open up more spots, especially for families on the lower end of the income spectrum. Using these savings, we can utilize a tri-share model (sharing costs between the city, employers, & families) to expand affordable childcare for ages three & under.
These programs give children a safe place to learn and invests now in their academic future, opening a world of possibilities. It can also equip teens with the skills needed to enter high-demand jobs, setting them – and our community – on a path to long-term economic growth. Let’s invest in the future of our children and families.
More About Tina Belge
She’s the 3rd generation of her family to live in the upstate, a certified Planner, former Director of Keep Greenville County Beautiful, as well as Advocacy and Policy Director for the Greenville Housing Fund. Tina has already been successful in leading and helping pass legislation locally. Read more about her by clicking below.