PEM Connect Building Wrap-Ghost BoxDecision
Small Project Review - SRA-24-14
Address of Project: 161 Essex Street
Meeting Date:June 12, 2024
Members Present:Christopher Dunn, Christine Madore, Cynthia Nina-Soto, Dean Rubin
Members Absent:Grace Napolitano
Decision:The SRA members voted 3-1 (Rubin) to approve the proposal to install a temporary mural on the PEM Connect
building as indicated by the shaded red area in the application materials. This approval is for the artwork specific to
the PEM exhibition that coincides with the Ghost Box pop-up retail use in the building. This approval does not include
approval(s) of future art/mural installations on this structure.
Referenced Plans and Documents:
- Application package submitted by Julie Diewald on May 2, 2024.
Conditions of Approval:
- Validity of Approval: This approval is valid for two years from the date of the meeting. The approval shall no longer be valid if a substantial use
and/or construction has not commenced except for good cause within this two-year period.
- Consistency with Approved Design/Plans: Should the applicant determine that the project may not be completed as presented and conditioned
herein, he/she/they shall return to the SRA to review proposed modifications prior to making any changes in the field.
- This approval is for the mural associated with the Ghost Box pop-up retail space and does not constitute an approval for future mural installations
on this structure.
The mural shall be temporary and be on the building no longer than four months from the date of installation.
Findings:
- Though members were hesitant to allow the mural due to the question of whether it constitutes an advertising piece versus art, a majority of the
membership agreed that since there are no existing regulations for this type of application they were willing to allow the applicant to move forward
with this current proposal as City staff works with stakeholders to craft guidelines for similar proposals.
The members acknowledged the visual interest and excitement the proposed mural would generate and found that the location for the mural is
appropriate for the building, the neighboring structures, and the downtown renewal area.
Signature of the SRA: By the signature below, I certify that this recommendation accurately reflects the actions of the Salem Redevelopment
Authority Board.
Tom Daniel, AICP, Executive Director Date Signed: June 13, 2024
SRA-24-14
POP-UP SHOP SIGNAGE & ART MURAL DESIGNATED ZONES
PROPERTY DIMENSIONS
135 ESSEX STREET PROPERTY
Building Facade Dimensions
• 41 x 21.25 ft
• Approx Square Footage: 871.25 ft
• 20% square ft for signs: Approx 174.24 ft2
POP-UP SHOP SIGNAGE & ART MURAL DESIGNATED ZONES
SHOP SIGNAGE SPECS
PROPOSED SIGN AREAS
• Sign located on exterior wall facing Essex street
• Signs on the building’s two entrance doors
• Door tinting will be removed and see through.
• Lifespan: Temporary
POP-UP SHOP SIGNAGE & ART MURAL DESIGNATED ZONES
ART MURAL SECTION
PROPOSED MURAL AREA
• Could feature artwork from upcoming museum exhibitions
and artists PEM wants to highlight.
• Lifespan: Temporary
• Material: Removal vinyl — no permanent modification to
building facade.
GHOST BOX POP-UP SHOP SIGNAGE & ART MURAL
PROPERTY DIMENSIONS
135 ESSEX STREET PROPERTY
Building Facade Dimensions
• 41 x 21.25 ft
• Approx Square Footage: 871.25 ft
• 20% square ft for signs: Approx 174.24 ft2
ENTRANCE MOCK UP REFERENCE
Doors will be see through with white text
(ignore black background).
135 Building number required for Fire codes
GHOST BOX POP-UP SHOP SIGNAGE & ART MURAL
SHOP SIGNAGE SPECS
PROPOSED SIGN AREAS
• Ghost Box shop signage located on exterior wall
facing Essex street and building’s two entrance doors.
• Door tinting will be removed and see through.
• Life Span: July–December 2024
• Coincides with PEM’s Conjuring the Spirit World: Art,
Magic and Mediums exhibition on view
September 14, 2024–February 2, 2025
SIDE FACING ESSEX ST.SIDE FACING TOWARDS PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY
GHOST BOX POP-UP SHOP SIGNAGE & ART MURAL
ART MURAL SECTION
PROPOSED MURAL AREA
• Features work from PEM’s upcoming exhibition Conjuring
the Spirit World: Art, Magic and Mediums exhibition on view
September 14, 2024–February 2, 2025
• Lifespan: July–December 2024
• Material: Removal vinyl — no permanent modification to
building facade.