GA Blog: Salem

12.26.11 New Salem Downtown Renewal Plan Put in Place

The Salem Gazette recently reported that the Salem City Council voted for a new Downtown Renewal Plan, replacing the Downtown Heritage East and West Urban Renewal Plans that had been in place previously.

The new plan will guide downtown development for the next 30 years. Guidelines in the plan include standards for construction, storefronts, signage, parking, and anything else area business would be concerned about when moving to the city. The prior plan, which had been in place for over 40 years, was said to be out of date with its building guidelines and regulations. The new plan also incorporated some new land that the past plan did not.

“The plan is one that will take the city from the twentieth century into the twenty-first,” said ward 2 councilor Michael Sowsnoski, the representative of the largest area of the downtown.

The Cecil Group was hired by the city for $50,000 to codify the plans and to make sure that new design standards are in place.

“The firm is well versed in the laws both local and state that can be used to set the guidelines the members of the Salem Redevelopment authority use to help maintain the historic character of Salem, while at the same time encouraging growth and investment in the downtown,” said Sosnowski.

Read the entire Salem News article.

10.24.11 City of Salem Looks for Land Development Proposals

The Salem News recently reported that the city of Salem is in search of proposals for a 2-acre lot after plans for a development on the property fell through earlier this year.

Plans for the Szetela Lane property fell through three months ago after several years of planning. Developer Phil Singleton planned to purchase the property from the city for $862,000 but ran into issues along the way including financing troubles during the tough economy as well as a site cleanup required.

The property, which was once a tannery site, needs to be capped with new soil before any development can begin.

A “pre-bid conference” will be held on November 17 at 2:00 p.m. at 120 Washington Street, the City Hall annex. Proposal documents can be picked up at the same location. All proposals are due December 14.

Read the entire Salem News article.

10.3.11 Salem Ferry Switches to Three-day Schedule

The Salem Gazette recently reported that the Salem Ferry will run three days a week for the rest of 2011. The ferry will operate from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Columbus Day and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Halloween.

Since Boston’s Best Cruise began running the ferry in 2006, the ferry had operated seven days a week from Memorial Day through Halloween. Bill Walker, a principal of Boston’s Best Cruises, stated that low ridership during the season and higher fuel costs led the company to the decision.

“The ferry’s ridership has more than doubled since resuming service in 2006. It serves as both a way to get visitors to Salem, as well as an attractive alternative for getting to Boston for locals and visitors who are already in Salem,” said Salem’s Mayor Kim Driscoll. “It’s unfortunate that for the remainder of this season the ferry will not be available as a commuter option. Moving forward next year though, it is important to me to preserve the ferry as an alternative for those who work in Boston but realize too that the numbers need to work.”

Read the entire Salem Gazette article.

9.7.11 Salem Registry of Deeds Downsizes Office

The Cape Anne Beacon recently reported that Southern Essex District Register of Deeds John O’Brien has proposed to downsize the Registry of Deeds at Shetland Park in Salem by 12,000 square feet, which would in turn save city taxpayers roughly $174,000 per year.

O’Brien states that the Registry of Deeds could continue running as usual with lesser space. With a new “electronic recording module,” all of the cities registry documents dating back to the 1600’s will be held on one small computer. The original physical documents will be stored on location so they are available if needed.

“I am a great believer in keeping our books and I have no intention of destroying these valuable records. So, even with the space reduction, we will be able to keep our books on-site in storage, should anyone need to review a physical document,” O’Brien said.

Registry documents will also be available to the public online at the Registry’s website.

Read the entire Cape Anne Beacon article.

9.2.11 Salem Rents Parking Lot for Busy Season

The Salem News recently reported that the vacant lot on Derby Street will be used during the fall and winter seasons as a parking lot for the city. Salem’s parking director stated that the lot will be able to hold between 70 and 80 cars depending on the layout.

The lot, which is owned by local businessman Henry Bertolon, will serve as a partial solution to the downtown parking issues that come along with the hectic Halloween season. However, for two weeks in October the lot will be closed to house the annual carnival that has taken place in the lot for the past several years.

Although pricing has not been established, the city will be charging for parking in the lot. How the city will manage the lot has also yet to be decided.

"We're trying to respond to the concerns expressed by residents and merchants," said Jason Silva, chief administrative aide to the Mayor.  Mayor Driscoll’s agreement with the lot owners includes a payment of $5,000 a month from October to January, as well as the potential to extend the renal into next year.

Read the entire Salem News article.

5.27.11 Salem Harbor Station Power Plant Plans to Close in 2014

The Salem Gazette recently reported that the Salem Harbor Station, the local power plant, will be shutting down in 2014. The owner of the plant, Dominion, announced on May 11th that the plant will close on June 1, 2014.

Of the four units in the power plant, units 1 and 2 will be shut down by the end of this year, while units 3 and 4 will close in 2014. ISO-New England, the company that manages the regions power grid, had asked Dominion to leave two of the units operating to ensure reliability in the Northeastern Massachusetts power grid. That request was denied by Dominion.

Dominion has not yet made any plans for selling the property, although plans are expected as the company approaches its closing date. Salem officials are already brainstorming for redevelopment ideas and ways to soften the tax burden that will ensue with the loss of the plant.

Read the entire Salem Gazette article.