Loading...
2025-06-11 SRA DRB Joint Meeting MinutesSRA June 11, 2025 Page 1 of 4 City of Salem, Massachusetts Public Meeting Minutes Board or Committee: Redevelopment Authority and Design Review Board Joint Public Meeting Date and Time: Wednesday, June 11, 2024, at 6:00 pm Meeting Location: Virtual Zoom Meeting SRA Members Present: Chair Grace Napolitano, Glenn Larose, Dean Rubin, Christine Madore, Christopher Dunn Design Review Board Members Present: Paul Durand, Marc Perras, Sarah Tarbet, Catherine Miller, Leeann Leftwich, Elizabeth Murray Others Present: Kate Newhall-Smith, Principal Planner, Stephanie Owens, Senior Planner Presentation: Lappin Park Redesign Project Michael Blier from Landworks Studio was present as was John Bobrek and Greg St. Louis from Bobrek Engineering. A presentation on the Lappin Park project was given to review the updated designs. Mr. Blair was present to discuss the latest design work that has come out of months of discussion. The agenda includes a recap of previous considerations, design development, stone paving, wall, and seating, a paving study and a planting study. A summary of the input was provided, including improving ADA access for storefronts, minimizing steps, adding ramps, reevaluating star shaped seating, inserting benches with anchors to prevent vandalism/theft. Requested additions included a bike rake, free library, and water fountain. There was feedback requesting that lighting fixtures be clarified and that electrical access be ensured for events and seasonal needs. Materials should match the nearby historic park. Brick or warming paving materials should be used to better complement historic context. The Samanatha statue should be repositioned for better circulation and visibility. Ground cover should be low maintenance. Stormwater concerns should be addressed with improved drainage. A snow removal/storage plan should be created. The initial development sketch and modified illustrative plan were shared showing some texture and color that identifies where the major park components are located. The plan shows the paving, ADA benches, planting beds for stormwater recharge, as well as the new location for the Samatha statue. Another image was shared showing the outdoor table and chair layout for restaurant use, which shows the pedestrian circulation through the area and locations where key design elements and potential public art locations could be as well as a holiday tree location. A rendered view of the updated plan was also shared showing the diagonal cut through, with no steps or stairs. There is a strong edge to the park along the street with multiple thresholds to the SRA June 11, 2025 Page 2 of 4 park. Additional renderings were shared that showed opportunities to integrate city programing and build on the synergies of the different restaurants and shops. Images of the proposed paving, wall, and seating were shared which were inspired by nearby locations. Some of the materials, including granite blocks, are available from nearby sites that are not being used. A paving study was conducted using reclaimed granite block inlay. Three different studies were shared, each using granite. The first plan has a concrete wrapper with reclaimed stone in the middle with boulders along the perimeter. The second is a variation with smaller, more cobblestone- like orientation. The third design proposed granite at the thresholds and concrete in the middle. The final design reviewed was an alternative cast-in-place concrete. The goal of the planting strategy was to combine the history of the urban landscape in Salem with a native based expression of past landscapes, while having seasonal interest throughout the year. The proposal includes Elm trees with smaller trees in the middle. Most of the plant materials are deciduous with interesting bark texture and branching habit. Seating areas around the perimeter are maintained. Images of the plantings were shared, and included red chokeberry, winterberry holly, sweet pepperbush, inkberry, and spicebush for proposed shrubs and small trees. Proposed trees include Red Maple and American Elm. Images of proposed lighting as well as ideas for public art installation were shared. Mr. St. Louis presented the proposed civil design on grading and opportunities to capture stormwater. He noted that there are several doorways around the perimeter of Lappin Park, some of which are private loading spaces and some of which are public access to restaurant space. He noted that there have been challenges with the grading. There are steep slopes approaching the steps at a number of businesses and the goal was to create ADA access through level landings or ramped landings for these businesses. The site is pitched to landscaping beds so that they have a natural water source. The plaza is going to have a large underground detention pond to collect water. The new system will have clean outs and access for maintenance. There are no railings as the grade is under 5% and they are trying to allow for as much seating as possible, but there are some areas which may require railings. Mr. St. Louis described the subsurface infiltration system which will be made up of a number of cut textile units to provide void space as well as crushed stone material. The plaza will slope towards the planters. The pavers will not be porous. There are no inlets in the plaza. The project is a low impact development style that will help the City achieve its MS-4 EPA permit requirements. All the cross slopes are roughly 1 ½ %. The tightest spot is at the loading zone, but given the private nature of its use, it can probably remain as not meeting the ADA threshold. In regard to the landscape plan, Mr. Perras expressed his preference for option #3 using the granite. He expressed concern over using a tree with berries with the new surface. Mr. Blair said the berries are winterberries and would be in the landscape beds. SRA June 11, 2025 Page 3 of 4 Ms. Murray inquired about the electrical design. Mr. Bobrek said they are 50% design have haven’t completed that level of design yet, but that they are open to input. He said they do have concerns about damage to the receptacles. In addition to the lights, they expect to have one or two boxes which will be locked for the electrical connections. He said some public bench manufacturers have built-in outlets and USB ports that can be utilized. Mr. Durand noted that he preferred option #1 as it felt like a better experience and focuses on the point of the project. The samples for the paver material are very smooth with a subtle texture and are completely accessible. Pallets and samples would be prepared once a design was chosen. Ms. Murray inquired about the cleanability and maintenance of textured stone/granite. Mr. Blair said he doesn’t think they recommend sealing them. He said they are probably less maintenance than concrete and brick in the long run. Mr. Bobrek added that the product would be set into a sand layer or stone dust with an emulsion making it rigid so that heavy equipment could be driven over it. The question over designating Lappin Park with a sign or art installation was discussed. Ms. Tarbet inquired shading in the park and if the shade trees covering the entire park might have a conflict with the holiday tree. Mr. Blair said they did a shadow study and given the size of the space, height of abutting buildings, and orientation of the park they are in good shape with shade. The Elm trees will grow fast and they are long lived. All three schemes have a granite wall around the perimeter, which is similar to the Armory Park edge and creates a continuous path for sight-impaired people who are moving through. All the planters have flushed edges. The project has not been fully funded yet, but Mr. Bobrek noted that they are working with the City on the next scope of work which would bring them to public procurement documents. Ms. Newhall-Smith said there is a request for that funding in the FY26 budget. There is no estimate yet. Mr. Dunn inquired about any requirements associated with moving the statue. Ms. Newhall-Smith said she reached out to TV Land as they are still the owners of the statue. TV Land is amenable to a relocation, but they do need to redo the agreement. Ms. Tarbet, Ms. Miller, and Ms. Leftwich expressed preference for the option #1 layout. Support was also expressed for the proposed lighting. A layout for irrigation hasn’t been completed yet but will include a hose bib and bubbler. The meeting was open to the public. Darlene Mellis, 115 Federal Street, found the contemporary lights glaring given the flood of light at eye level. She expressed preference for the down light of historic lamps. Jonathan Burke, 51 Lafayette Street, expressed support for everything done so far. He recommended making sure the landscaping on the two sides of the building doesn’t divide the space between the patios and restaurants, but rather that it activates the park. SRA June 11, 2025 Page 4 of 4 Katelyn Holappa noted that the site is a central location within the City, and recommended that more bike rack accommodations be provided and that adequate light for them are provided. Mr. Rubin asked what is needed to move the project forward. Ms. Newhall-Smith said Mr. Bobrek is going to pull together a scope and estimate to bring the project to 100% design, bid documents, etc. At which point, they know about the City Council’s decision and what outside grant funding they will seek. Ms. Madore expressed support for option #1, and appreciated that all the amenities she noted were included in the revised plan. She echoed Ms. Tarbet’s comments about the electrical plan and supply be included. Mr. St Louis said they would incorporate that into the scope. Mr. Bobrek said they have an electrical engineer on board, but would like to get a sense from the City as their anticipated electrical needs for the site. Ms. Newhall-Smith said she can pass on some ideas based on their experiences at Charlotte Fortin Park. Ms. Miller said it would be important to avoid needing a generator at events. Mr. Durand asked whether a private funding source could be considered if the project is more than the City Council wants to spend. Adjournment of Joint Public Meeting The DRB adjourned at 7:13pm. Roll Call: Durand, Perras, Tarbet, Miller, Leftwich, and Murray. 7-0 in favor DRB adjourned. The joint meeting with the DRB adjourned. Roll Call: Dunn, Larose, Madore, Rubin, and Napolitano. 5-0 in favor. SRA adjourned.