Downtown Streetscape

 

What is Downtown Streetscape?

The downtown streetscape project is designed to enhance the pedestrian and biking experience in the core area and eliminate blighted conditions. The project would remove one lane of automobile traffic and dedicate the space to protected bike lanes. It also would widen the existing sidewalks to provide more space to build a lineal park connecting Riverfront Park to the State Capitol Mall and Willamette University.

Streetscaping would include underground electricity, drip systems for plants, solar panels, and possibly underground cisterns to collect and reuse rain water. The general design of the project would follow the design principles of nationally renowned Salem landscape architects Lord & Schryver.

 

What is good about the streetscape project?

When large companies visit Salem to decide whether to relocate here, some of the main factors they assess is the health of the downtown area and how happy their employees would be to relocate here. A healthy and unique downtown is a motivating factor to attract industry and jobs to our community. A successful, thoughtful, creative streetscape program will attract tourists to Salem and create a sense of community pride. This project will engage citizens' interest in the design and implementation process.

 

What is bad about the streetscape project?

It will disrupt downtown businesses for about eight months while under construction.

 

How will downtown streescaping be financed?

Downtown has the lowest retail rents in all of Salem, and thus meets the definition of blighted property. Urban Renewal's primary goal is to eliminate blight. The Conference Center bond will be paid off soon. The Urban Renewal District could sell a $30 million bond to finance this project. Urban Renewal funds do not have to be approved by voters, only by the City Council.

 

Why should I care about downtown streetscaping?

As this project helps downtown become more successful, rents will go up, causing an increase in downtown property values, which culminate in higher property taxes. Salem will gain additional property tax income to help fund schools, public transit, and city services when the Urban Renewal District is closed out. This project will capture national attention in magazines and newspapers. It will make Salem a botanical, cultural, and culinary tourism destination. Plus, Salem residents will find that downtown is a much more enjoyable place after the streetscaping is completed.

 

What can I do about the streetscape project?

If you support a major streetscape project in downtown Salem, let the City Council know. (You can email them at citycouncil@cityofsalem.net.) Continue to visit this Salem Community Vision website. "Like" the Salem Community Vision Facebook page. Subscribe to our email notifications so we can let you know when there are community meetings where you can learn more about the Downtown Streetscape project. (See "Join our mailing list" box below.)