Entertainment District on the road to reality
The idea for a Salem Entertainment District gained support through the holidays after discussions with neighborhood, downtown and city stakeholders. And while the request for a city-wide noise increase fell to pragmatism, playing louder and later is under consideration within distinct boundaries, like areas downtown, around Edgewater and the fairgrounds.
After the presentation and much discussion on December 7, the Downtown Advisory Board “agreed by consensus to move forward gathering information to form a position in response.” The next step is planning a pilot project downtown with community partners.
Those interested are encouraged to attend a meeting Sunday, January 14, 4p at ƒ/Stop- Fitzgerald’s.
Municipal Broadband in Salem
Remember the City of Salem’s 1990’s Internet Service Provider open.org? The city is once again interested in expanding the info super-highway by creating a municipal broadband network. Municipal broadband would treat the internet as a utility and price connections accordingly. Is Salem ready for $40 100-gigabit internet?
Help make municipal broadband a reality by signing the petition. and joining the Facebook group.
Upcoming dates:
Festival opportunities
Bands: Sign up for the 12th Cherry City Music Festival June 14, 15, 16, 2018
Artists, designers, performers: Sign up for Mix-n-Mash 2018 September 21, 22, 2018
Get action updates in our newsletter.
Upcoming dates:
Riverfront Master plan workshops start Thursday, January 18.
Streetscape plan focus group schedule.
Downtown Salem Streetscape Plan – Focus Group Schedule
Day 1 – January 30th
Trees and Landscaping
January 30, 1:30 – 3:00
This group will discuss existing street trees and their contributions to downtown streetscape aesthetics and environment and how trees could be effective in the Plan. Other landscape plantings or vegetation will also be discussed.
Street Furniture and Materials
January 30, 3:30 – 5:00
This group will discuss existing street furnishings and sidewalk materials and discuss what can be retained as well as consistent conceptual approaches for new furnishings and paving.
Gathering and Event Spaces
January 30, 5:30 – 7:00
This group will discuss sidewalk places where people gather in the downtown Salem area and how these places can be improved for safety and comfort.
Day 2 – January 31st
Connecting Places
January 31, 1:30 – 3:00
This group will discuss how people move on foot through downtown Salem, including connections from the State Capitol and Riverfront Park and key destinations in the study area.
Art and Signage
January 31, 3:30 – 5:00
This group will discuss opportunities to provide better pedestrian-scale signage to aid with wayfinding downtown, as well as, the benefits/opportunities for public art.
Business Considerations
January 31, 5:30 – 7:00
This group will be focused on how a range of streetscape improvements should positively benefit adjacent businesses and how businesses will participate in the streetscape improvement program.