The campaign to grow the night time economy in Salem received more support from downtown residents, venue owners, artists, promoters and patrons during our fifth meeting last night at The Space Concert Club. And while everyone agreed that raising the noise limit is the first step, significant barriers to creating an entertainment district were identified. Read the update on the discussion and sign the petition.
The Noise Ordinance
Attendees unanimously supported extending the daytime noise limit of 70 decibels from 10:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. in commercial and industrial areas. Residential and noise-sensitive areas are excluded from the change and would remain at 55 decibels. Any real property within the Downtown Parking District is considered as commercial.
Venue owners commented on the notable increase of business after the last noise limit increase of 10 decibels in 2011 and were open to raising the current limit even more than 5 decibels.
For comparison, the Austin, Texas noise ordinance allows businesses to generate 85 decibels until 2:00 a.m.
Since the social media launch last Friday, the online petition has gathered 75 signatures including downtown residents and venue owners. See comments below.
Salem Entertainment District
Barriers to creating a Salem Entertainment District were found to include: Defining the district (what, where) adequate affordable housing (district employees should be able to afford to live where they work), transportation (taxi, mass transit, ride-share options) infrastructure (public restrooms, soundproof incentives, alley improvements) cultural diversity and marketing.
The next meeting is 5:00 p.m. Sunday, November 19, 2017 at Taproot Lounge and Cafe.
Do you want to help?
Sign the petition.
Take the bus survey. Here’s some background.
Attend presentation at CAN-DO neighborhood meeting 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 21, 2017 First Christian Church 685 Marion St NE.
Attend City Council work session (TOT fund) 6:00 p.m. Monday, November 20, 2017 Council Chambers 555 Liberty St NE.
Attend Downtown Advisory Board meeting 12:00 p.m., Thursday, December 7, 2017 at 350 Commercial St NE. Testimony from last meeting.
Review the ordinance and understand the recommended changes.
SRC 51.005.
(c) Day means the hours between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. of the same day.
to
Day means the hours between 7 a.m. and 12 a.m. of the same day.
(h) Night means the hours between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. of the following day.
to
Night means the hours between 12 a.m. and 7 a.m. of the following day.
Table 51-1: Maximum Permissible Sound Levels in dBA
Extend Commercial/Industrial daytime limit to 12:00 a.m.
Comments from online petition:
Artists
The downtown nightlife is vital to a livable city. The limit must be raised appropriately which should be increased to give Salem a lively and healthy nightlife downtown.
Salem needs more activities for things to do at night. Salem is boring, and it’s needing to change and stop being so restrictive with telling everyone to be quiet after 10pm.
it’s ridiculous this day in age that noise is an issue downtown. get over it. let the COMEDIANs do their thing.
West Salem resident who hates there’s nothing do to at night or on Sundays when hardly any downtown restaurants are even open.
Promoters
More leniency for performance spaces means more revenue for downtown businesses and visibility for local and traveling artists.
Of the issue is decibels police babies trucks and cars are louder than the limitations now set. So remember when your baby cries or when the police sirens play. That they too are breaking current codes
I am all about adding to the art scene in Salem!!
Venue Owners
I’m an artist and venue owner.
Patrons
Parent of three musicians, all of whom have played in/near downtown. All five of us love live music and theatre, and don’t mind happy noise into the night!
I’m a Salem native who wants to see this city be as amazing as I know it can be.
53 y/o Salem resident since 1970 wanting to support art. Civil engineer with ODOT
Ridiculous a state capital can’t be as vibrant as Austin for example. Time for the ninny nanny’s to go.
Salem needs and deserves a more exciting night life.
Keep up the good work. Let’s try to get a stretch of road without cars and make a walkway for outdoor cafes