At-Large Candidates Answer: Commercial Development in Salem

The following is the third of six questions we asked the 10 at-Large candidates who are running against each other in a primary on Sept. 20.

All candidates were provided the same questions either via email or by hand. All acknowledged receipt of the questions.

Answers have not been modified except where minor typographical errors were made. There have been no alterations that affect meaning.

Candidate answers are presented in alphabetical order by last name.

The presence of an asterisk (*) indicates a candidate is an incumbent.

Commercial development — Lowe's, Salem Oil & Grease, Flynntan, Szetela Lane — Do you have ideas on how to develop these properties to the city's best advantage? As for the downtown area — do you have a vision for its future (parking, pedestrian mall, etc.)?

Darek Barcikowski

At no time in Salem's modern history has the opportunity and necessity for smart commercial development been greater. The sheer number of proposed projects in the recent past shows how vibrant, economically viable and desirable our city is. The prescribed limitations for answers prohibit me from discussing each project in detail and I will limit my answer to the pedestrian mall, which I believe is a local treasure we need to preserve. For open flow of car traffic to
positively impact businesses located along the walkway, a significant number of parking spaces would have to be allocated. Studies have shown that this would be nearly impossible and propose just over a dozen or so street side parking spaces. We simply cannot make that narrow corridor drivable, walkable and include parking on top of that. If parking is excluded, then we are just creating another artery redundant with Derby Street. I would argue for a three-prong
effort to revitalize the pedestrian walk way which would include: resurfacing, rebranding, and introduction of a bike path. The pedestrian mall is very difficult to walk on, especially the cobble
stone during inclement weather conditions. A new surface is urgently needed. The businesses along the walk way need to join efforts (with city) to rebrand the pedestrian mall; perhaps a new logo or a map showcasing all the businesses and activities. There are many marketing mechanisms in Salem which can be utilized to make the pedestrian mall more engaging, inviting and exciting. Finally, as we continue in our efforts to become more bicycle friendly (and doing
an excellent job at it, with the bike share program due to launch soon as one example), we should consider a bike path and racks along the pedestrian mall as means of enhancing our bicycle friendly infrastructure but also increasing traffic which would benefit local businesses. Salem is also a great walking city and that asset should not be undermined.

Kevin Carr Jr.

When elected to the City Council, I will support commercial development that makes sense for Salem. Ten to 15 years ago downtown Salem was a ghost town, and conventional wisdom was that a restaurant could not be successful year round. Today, downtown Salem is thriving with a variety of restaurant options, and people from the surrounding communities come to Salem. As a city, we need to support not only these restaurants, but also identify ways to support and foster the growth of the retail businesses. The success of local restaurants and retail businesses will enable Salem to maintain its current infrastructure, without continuing to put an undue burden on the taxpayer. When elected I will support the Lowe’s project, as I think it is a good fit for the city. As a taxpayer, I welcome the revenue, and as a consumer I welcome the option. While I don’t have any specific ideas for the development of Salem Oil & Grease and Flynntan, I will work with and be supportive of developers willing to invest in projects that will commit funds to remediate these hazardous sites.  While each project has its unique set of challenges and neighborhood concerns, it is in Salem’s interest to clean up and redevelop these toxic and abandoned sites. 

Matthew Fraser

For this question I’m going to look briefly at parking in the Salem downtown, as making parking work there is a key to good living and good business there. Having looked at many suggestions to improve the situation, it seems that greater utilization of parking garages by both employees and visitors is one of our best opportunities. For example, the Harbor garage is very often at only 50 percent capacity, and increasing its utilization could free up spaces in the downtown area. Other garages and private off street parking are also underutilized. So, it seems that much of our challenge will be to work on getting more to utilize these spaces, which is something I’m sure
we’re capable of.

Thomas H. Furey*

As I go door to door campaigning, I hear the clear clarion call for more commercial development to help lower real estate/homeowners' taxes. Each of these key undeveloped sites of Lowe's, Salem Oil and Grease Flynntan (my father was a leather worker there for many years) [and] Szetela Lane are prime and premier sites for economic development and jobs and business. We need to be part of the solution to help support development and not be in constant stages of gridlock and court litigation. These underutilized and eyesore areas need to be developed. They are blights to the neighborhood and city and need to be made into vital economic resources instead of bombed out buildings. They are on major corridors and entrance ways and need  development now to make our city vibrant and on the move.

It was refreshing and renewing to have public hearings and input to the downtown area and the mall opening that helped engage and enliven debate and dialogue into the downtown area. I am for a compromise that has been developed to open the mall after Haunted Happenings into the spring to help bring traffic and business into the area. It's exciting as a lifelong resident to see the vitality and vibrance in the downtown for residents and businesses. It is a 24/7 and 365 day center of energy and excitement from the Farmers Market, concerts to a host of restaurants and a lively residential neighborhood. Many cities and town would give their right arm to have the activities we have downtown. Yet, it comes as a deep sacrifice for many downtown residents who wish to park after working to live there. It has been a deep injustice and sacrifice they have had for too long and we need to address these parking problems to keep them and more residents to move more resident into the downtown. I could not afford the fees just to park — yet they sacrifice. We need to actively engage and empower them by correcting these injustices that make it prohibitive to park. We have a new comprehensive parking plan for the city but many are left out to fend for themselves. We were not born to have a parking spot in front of our residence, but we need to help the injustices that have plagued the downtown area to be vibrant for the business and residents.

Teasie Riley Goggin

Lowe's property area is over burdened with traffic, maybe another four years before they move on the project. Salem Oil and Grease wanted to move from industrial/commercial to residential. This would add more to the student population, thus more to the school budget. At $10,000 per student, you to the math. St. Joseph's (PUA) on Lafayette street, affordable, house, more students — you do the math.  Flynntan seems to be a mystery to all people in Salem. Szetela Lane had a Purchase and Sale Agreement since 2006 — Shallop Landing at Collins Cove has broken the agreement ($865,000). Fifteen houses were planned for this property. This property did not have a clear title from the day it was put on the market.  The City of Salem, now supposedly has a clear title. The Salem Senior Center was supposed to be built here under the previous administration. This would be a safer, more appropriate place for our Seniors (what a gift). It would be on city property, so less expensive than a $5 million condominium on a piece of heavily contaminated soil that needs a vapor barrier so that gasses will not escape into the bulding. No outside activities can be planned on the old Sylvania Boston St./Bridge property. Eight thousand Seniors deserve a place of their own as does the Park and Recreation Department with their growing programs.

Joan B. Lovely*

I am in favor of the Lowe’s/Walmart development including extensive traffic remediation which will make Highland Avenue more easily accessible and navigable. I am also supportive of protecting Spring Pond Woods from any further development and hope that our counterparts in Lynn and Peabody will protect the areas of Spring Pond Woods that sit in their communities. I was supportive of placing a Conservation Overlay District over the Salem Woods to protect it from further development and would be supportive of a Conservation Overlay District over Salem’s potion of Spring Pond Woods to protect it from further development. I am supportive of a mixed used facility at Salem Oil & Grease with both thoughtful commercial/retail/residential components that will enhance water front access opportunities to the adjacent North River for all to enjoy. A project that mirrors the North River Canal Corridor Master Plan would be especially attractive. The intersection of Hanson/Goodhue/Grove Streets needs to be restructured to better equip traffic flow and pedestrian access which should be part of this process. I cannot however support any project that would negatively affect traffic conditions on the surrounding neighborhoods. Flynntan: I am supportive of good commercial development at Flynntan as it is an entrance corridor into our city. The Urban Village and Village Gateway components of the North River Corridor Master Plan should be utilized as the proper re-development guide for this property. Szetela Lane has the potential to be a beautiful seaside property however contamination makes it challenging to develop. It was initially placed out for RFP due to a budget crisis however that crisis has since passed. We should now take the time to determine what is the best fit for the property before we place it for sale again. The downtown pedestrian mall should be partially opened to vehicular traffic during evening hours to be determined to encourage more activity on the mall and create additional parking
opportunities. Currently there are no restaurants on the pedestrian mall and in my opinion there should be several, all with outdoor dining. A mix of restaurants and shops would bring more people to the mall.

Steven A. Pinto*

The city can only do so much once a commercial property is purchased. The zoning is controlled by the zoning board and our zoning board ordinances. Whether it be commercial or residential is up to the developer. The present economy has not helped this situation. When property is going forward to be developed it is important how that development affects the neighborhood, traffic and quality of life for residents is addressed. City councilors should attend all meetings with various boards and listen to the people's concerns.

It is wonderful to have a vibrant downtown There is always issues with business and residents living in such close proximity to one another. I thought trying to create more parking was a good start, however I did not support the increase in meters and tickets as well as increased hours for giving tickets. That is something we have to look at in the future. The pedestrian mall should be accessible to cars so that in cold weather the people will be able to support businesses on the mall. If we give ourselves the opportunity to open or close the mall as we see fit, then I believe it will better serve the people and businesses.

Matthew Richard

Did not participate. Will share thoughts in another forum.

Arthur C. Sargent III*

Szetela Lane is the only City owned property in this group and I always thought that the plan to build the Senior Center there was a good one. We sold it to help balance our budget about 6 years ago and we never received payment. Now we may want to keep it as a back up site for the Senior Center in case things don't work out at the Bridge and Boston Street location or sell it to help pay for cleaning up the Transfer Station and McGrath Park. The other properties are privately owned and  I don't have specific ideas as to what should be built there. I do feel strongly that whatever is built there should follow our zoning rules and all other rules and regulations related to building, parking, traffic and development. I have worked on the zoning review committee for about 10 years now and there is still more work to be done. Zoning rules tell us what can and can not be built, where it can be located, how big it can be, how far away from a neighboring property it can be situated and if it can be residential, industrial, or commercial ect. Much of your property value is based on its location, its zoning and the zoning of neighboring properties. I believe zoning has the largest impact on the quality of life in Salem. When it is used properly there is not much controversy when something new is built. When we allow for small variances from the rules based on input from abutting property owners we usually have a positive result. We run into trouble when we vary our rules too much especially when we allow for too much density, too little parking and relaxed buffer zones between commercial and residential property. Sometimes that results in families, who have lived in their homes for a long time, putting them up for sale and moving. This is difficult to accept, especially when they end up moving out of Salem, and it is also why I feel so strongly that these properties should follow the rules when they are developed.

Kenneth Sawicki

The Lowe's project is a development in progress. Now is the time to work out all the issues raised. Not only by neighbors adjacent to the project. But our good citizens of Lynn MA. Drainage from heavy rains, traffic congestion, the portion of the camp grounds to be sold and the new placement of the city water tower. All very important. Great care and planning is essential. This project could bring a revitalization to that end of Highland Ave. It could bring useful products to our community. Increase tax revenues. Bring jobs at a time when people need work. Let me hear from you.

Salem Oil and Grease is currently up for sale. A business would be welcomed. That would bring jobs and maybe a new product or service to Salem. Flynntan which is near Salem Oil and Grease has an owner. Who has been trying to clean up the site. When completed the owner plans to do lite manufacturing. Szetela Lane plans to build housing, has fallen through in a poor housing market. Affordable housing is needed maybe when the housing market recovers. Or more units under the Salem Housing Authority for low income elderly would be a good idea. 

Downtown parking. There has been consideration given to adding a new level to each existing parking garages. Along with plans to build a new parking garage at the Salem Depot. Pedestrian mall     Revitalizing the mall area is a must it is the center of downtown. It should be an attraction to welcoming guest. Here's an idea I haven't heard mentioned. How about enclosing a portion between CVS and the Mall entrance. One that is only one story but could be opened up in the warm weather and closed in cold weather. With solar panels for a roof that would provide lighting. Inside would have tile flooring and kiosk venders. While the fountain should come to life with a colored lit water display to music. Derby Square would remain open and free to pedestrians as always.