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BRIDGE STREET NECK PUBLIC MEETING PRESENTATION NOTES- MAY 5, 2009 MEETING NOTES Meeting Date: May 5, 2009 Meeting Topic: Small Group Discussions of Issues, Opportunities and Constraints during the Public Meeting Meeting Location: Carlton Elementary School, Salem, MA Project: Salem Bridge Neck Neighborhood Planning Study Attendees: Community members, The City of Salem Department of Planning and Community Development, The Cecil Group and subconsultants Prepared by: Margarita Iglesia and Meghan Grafton Copies: Department of Planning and Community Development Project File Over 100 people attended these group discussions, which were held at the Carlton School. This was the first public meeting for the Salem Neck Neighborhood Planning Study. During the meeting the members of the Consultant Team were introduced, and the findings of an initial assessment of current housing, commercial and planning conditions in the neighborhood were presented to the participants. Additionally, the participants were divided into five small groups. A mapping exercise and discussion to share the neighborhood’s issues, opportunities, and constraints took place in each group. Goals and priorities for the neighborhood were also discussed. Section I of these notes is a summary of the concerns shared by the participants of the small groups, in which we have tried to reflect our findings and learning from the discussions as closely as possible. Section II contains a comprehensive list of the issues, opportunities, and constraints as they were noted by the group facilitators during the small group discussions. Section I Issues: • Utilities are an eyesore, especially some Verizon poles in which they added a new pole and attached the old one to it which makes them stand out even more. • Some houses are in disrepair and some properties have absentee landlords, which is often reflected in their exterior condition. • Sidewalks and street crossings need to be improved, ideally beyond the boundaries of the traffic and streetscape improvements planned for Bridge Street. • Parking needs to be improved; in particular there is a lack of on-street parking for businesses. • The neighborhood should become a destination, in order to retain and expand the business customer base. Opportunities: • Historic character, this was the first settlement in the City. • Commuter Rail access within walking distance. • Pride in history and architecture, with many buildings contributing to the neighborhood historical character. • A certain number of properties available for purchase present an opportunity for homeownership and building improvements. • The neighborhood is located within walking distance to everything and close to downtown. • Friendly neighborhood. • The neighborhood is changing for the better. Constraints: • Power lines cross the Neck in the vicinity of the Clippership Inn. • Utility Corp/Appearance [?] of the industrial uses. • Absentee landlords and rundown buildings detract from the general quality of living. • Bureaucracy [?] • High commercial real estate taxes may pose an obstacle for some businesses. • Lack of a controlled signage program detracts from the overall design and image quality. • Decisions sometimes seem to be based on money and not on what is best for the neighborhood. • Traffic is heavy at some times, although commercial activity has decreased since the Bypass Road was built. • Bridge Street divides more than connects the east and west sections of the neighborhood. • Overcrowding of some properties • [already listed above]Perception of security is not good in some areas (car break-ins, graffiti, some people are afraid to walk at night). • Vandalism of vacant properties and landscaping contribute to detract from the neighborhood’s image and appeal. Goals and Wishes: General themes for goals and wishes were attracting business and tourists, improving the appearance of the area, improving green space, and zoning concerns. The following is a summary list of the goals and wishes compiled at the meeting, grouped by categories. It is intended as a condensed version of the goals and wishes listed in Section II, and it has been edited to clarify some of the ideas based on our recollections as group facilitators. However, this summary should not be assumed to be comprehensive. Please refer to Section II for a complete list of goals and wishes. Appearance and Maintenance: • Get Verizon to fix the poles • Relocate utilities underground • Cleaning • Reuse of empty buildings, good maintenance • New and wider sidewalks • [doesn’t say where]Great signage - remove bad signs • Gateway to Salem – make it beautiful • Historic marker sign • New name - Harbor View? • Bridge Street beautification • Solve traffic problems, especially at Webb Street • Discourage graffiti • Clean and orderly - less graffiti – less traffic Attract business and tourism and improve the neighborhood feel: • Welcoming signs • Outdoor restaurant/ café seating • Nice like "Cabot Street" • Destination - not a pass through • Destinations to attract visitors • Marketing of businesses on Bridge Street • New businesses for tourists • Period lighting • Ice cream shop/ stand • Tourist destination - Antique shops • Self-guided walking tour • Fishing destination • Parking on Bridge Street allowed • Retail and transportation signage • Better connections to Beverly, other Salem neighborhoods • Better signage for directions • Fix Swampscott sign • Get rid of Orange Street cleaning sign • Events at new Bridge Park • More family/park/block party events • Safe for walking and bikes • Keeping a mix of types and affordability • Consolidated Business District • Control the wildlife (squirrels, skunks) • Bring a flower shop, Trader Joe's • Feel connection to Salem Common • Slower traffic • A more affordable neighborhood • Market / shop • Movie theater • Motel redevelopment • Carts/restaurant/ice cream parlor • [already listed]Boat access (ideally to Collins Cove) • Fishing pier • Safety - Tracy walk-way [?] Green Space: • More green space • Walk all the way to the restaurants and the park • Bike path used in a better way • Better sidewalks • More pedestrian friendly • Better landscaping • More trees • Natural features and views / parks and trees Zoning: • Density - maintain lower level density • Worried about zoning changes - avoid big project City Action: • City to show that they have heard Citizen’s input, follow up and act on recommendations • See action spreading fast - no more meaningless studies Section II Issues Utility construction Development at Bridge Park North End Street Walk Late night businesses Disrepair of houses on Bridge St Redundant light posts/phone polls Unfinished pier - not accessible Traffic coming off new bridge Lack of parking-whole neck Northey / Bridge St. Intersection is dangerous (mentioned 3 times) Need better restaurants Better retail corridor Need a laundromat Absentee landlords Proximity of aura-related businesses to residential Dangerous crossing for kids Sidewalks are bad Verizon telephone poles-double telephone poles Salem building and properties - need redevelopment Need for trash barrels Parking is lacking / invading residential area Blight Need to improve conditions at dilapidated properties Clustered foreclosures Deserted buildings on Bridge Street Snow removal problems Constraints Power lines Rundown buildings Utility Corp/ industrial uses appearance Absentee landlords Dealing with utilities and wires crossing streets Bureaucracy High commercial real estate taxes Getting more open space Lack of controlled signage program Lack of care for houses businesses Decisions based on money-not on what is best Traffic Bridge Street divides more than connects Overcrowding of some properties Graffiti need to clean Run down properties Car break-ins Some people are afraid to walk at night Vandalism of landscaping Vandalism of vacant properties Snowy sidewalks on Bridge Street Opportunities Building South Bridge Street Power lines underground Webb Street Park Better lighting Water on both sides Water views and water smell Historic homes/ beautiful houses Walkable 1st settlement Commuter rail Collins Cove Great potential to be beautiful Electrical utilities buried Pride in history and architecture Local restaurants Jail renovation Park on one end (gateway, green) Properties available (need to steer to owners vs. investors) Streetscape, sidewalks Bike path (Committee meeting on May 13) Walking distance to everything Local to downtown Very friendly Neighborhood is changing- for the better Have a hospitality place (could be improved) Park at the end of Bridge Street Goals and Wishes City to listen City to act on recommendations City to show that they have heard and follow up Density - maintain lower level density Worrier about zoning changes - means big project See action fast - will spread - no more meaningless studies See what other groups said Cleaning New sidewalk Walk all the way to the restaurants and the park Reuse of empty buildings, good maintenance More green space Welcoming signs Wider sidewalks Outdoor restaurant cafe Nice like "Cabot Street" Bike path used in a better way Get Verizon to fix the poles Send utilities underground Control the wild life (squirrels, skunks) Fishing destination Flower shop, Trader Joe's Feel connection to Salem Common Better sidewalks More pedestrian friendly Better landscaping Destinations More trees Cleaned up Slower traffic Marketing of businesses on Bridge Street New businesses for tourists Affordable for us Keeping a mix of types and affordability Better connections to Beverly, other Salem neighborhoods Better signage for directions Fix Swampscott sign Get rid of Orange Street cleaning sign Events at new Bridge Park More family/park/block party events Consolidated Business district Market / shop Movie theater Motel redevelopment Carts/restaurant/ice cream parlor Parking on Bridge Street Bridge Street beautification Retail and transportation signage Discourage graffiti Clean and orderly - less graffiti – less traffic (Webb street) Safe for walking and bikes Natural features and views / parks trees Parking Boat access New sidewalks Fishing pier Period lighting Ice cream shop/ stand Tourist destination - antique shops Self-guided walking tour Great signage - remove bad signs Gateway to Salem - beautiful Historic marker sign New name - Harbor View Improved appearance Safety - Tracy walkway Destination - not a pass through Incentive for more retail and restaurants that will support foot traffic More like Rantoul Street - small businesses Cleaner improved utilities Bridge Street as a walking place Water oriented park at Bridge end Day care at Commonwealth and Bridge Street - pedestrian crossing Small business assistance Slow traffic on Bridge Street Improved business aesthetics Diverse retail Bike Lane-improved access Urban wilds Small retailers Pleasant walks on Bridge New park