Downtown Revitalization: Salem's Story

MAPC Council Meeting • October 26,

2010Lynn Duncan, AICP City of Salem,

Massachusetts

Downtown Revitalization Salem’s Story

Revitalization Strategy

1. Bring housing downtown2. Grow employment base3. Increase cultural tourism4. Expand retail and dining options5. Improve downtown amenities Preserve the unique

historic character

1. Bring housing downtown

Zoning ordinance changed Existing buildings - 1 space per unit - on site

or in a facility within 1,000 feet New construction - 1.5 spaces required on

site

No spaces requiredfor commercial uses

Derby Lofts • Completed in 2006• 54 condominiums• $270,000-$580,000• 81 parking passes• 15,000 sf retail ($16 psf)

Latitude • Completed in 2008• 20 condominiums• $180,000-$320,000• 20 parking passes• 3,000 sf retail ($14 psf)

Washington at Derby • Completed in 2009• 31 rentals• $1,500-$2,500• 36 parking spaces• 7,000 sf restaurant

50 St. Peter • Completed 2010 • 23 rentals• On and off site parking• 3,000 sf restaurant

2. Grow employment base

• Court and related businesses and customers are critical to downtown market

• Built on land donated by City (former “East Ramp”)

3. Increase cultural tourism

PEM expansionsupported by City

Addition constructed on Liberty Street

4. Expand retail and dining• Retail Market Study undertaken. Now being implemented• New businesses continue to open in 2010• 9 restaurants/

cafes • 11 retail shops• Over 200 new jobs

5. Improve downtown amenities• Essex Street Pedestrian

Mall needs redesign• Joint effort with PEM and

Salem Partnership underway

• Applying to Smart Growth Alliance for technical assistance

• Visioning sessions planned

5. Improve downtown amenities

• Perceived shortage of parking

• Working Group created

• Comprehensive Parking Study completed

• Implementation begun

Key to Salem’s Success

• Develop and implement plans

• Leverage unique assets

• Build partnerships

Thank you

City of Salem, Massachusetts978 619-5685lduncan@salem.comwww.salem.com