BRIDGE STREET NECK REVITALIZATION IMPLEMETATION
IMPLEMENTATION
DRAFT Salem Bridge Street Neck Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Implementation
The Cecil Group • GLC Development Resources • Peter Smith Associates • Tetra Tech Rizzo Page 26
The implementation of the proposed revitalization vision and planning strategies will
require a multipronged effort including substantial efforts, participation and support
from all interested parties.
A detailed action plan is included at the end of this section (Table 5), which lists
available programs, tools and mechanisms that could be applied to the implementation
of the recommended planning strategies. The action plan also lists initial steps, priority
actions, and a proposed timeframe.
Implementation Tools
The following is a list of the key programs and mechanisms that are applicable to the
implementation of the proposed revitalization strategies:
y Assistance programs to homeowners facing risk of foreclosure.
y Business loans, façade and storefront improvement programs.
y Local neighborhood business and resident associations.
y Shared marketing and promotion initiatives.
y Technical and feasibility studies to initiate improvement projects.
y Zoning changes to support multi-family residential and mixed use
development, and neighborhood businesses.
y Zoning mechanisms to allow for the redevelopment of large properties.
y Design guidelines aimed at maintaining the historical character, and
improving the overall design and image quality of the district.
y Relocation tools to assist businesses interested in moving to a more
advantageous location.
Descriptions of these tools and specific recommendations about their application to the
revitalization of the Bridge Street Neck neighborhood are provided below.
Homeowner Assistance Programs
The City of Salem offers access to a series of homeowner and homebuyer assistance
programs through its Department of Planning and Community Development.
Information on these programs is posted on the City’s website, which also provides
links to additional state and federal resources. The list of available programs includes
the following:
y First Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Loan Programs
y Housing Rehabilitation Loan Programs (Owner-Occupied and Landlord
programs)
y Get the Lead Out Program
y Foreclosure Prevention, Predatory Lending and Legal Resources
Additional information on available resources for housing revitalization and
stabilization is provided in Section 4, Appendix A and Appendix C of this document.
DRAFT Salem Bridge Street Neck Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Implementation
The Cecil Group • GLC Development Resources • Peter Smith Associates • Tetra Tech Rizzo Page 27
Business Assistance Programs
The City of Salem offers access to a series of small business assistance programs
through its Department of Planning and Community Development. Information on
these programs is posted on the City’s website, which also provides links to additional
state and federal resources. Available programs include the following:
y Small Business Loan Program
y Storefront Improvement Program
Additional business development technical assistance is available through the following
resources:
y The Enterprise Center at Salem State College
y Salem State College Small Business Development Center
y Salem Chamber of Commerce
y MassDevelopment
y Massachusetts Alliance for Economic Development
y North Shore Workforce Investment Board
y Small Business Administration
Neighborhood Associations
It has become apparent through this planning process that the achievement of some of
the recommended strategies will depend to a great extent on the shared effort and
initiative of local residents and businesses.
Main Street programs throughout the nation have contributed to develop an
organizational model that allows local businesses to work together in advancing shared
goals and initiatives. These are always volunteer-driven efforts with the support and
participation of a variety of public and private stakeholders. Successful and attractive
business districts have been created and maintained through the years as a result.
The Bridge Street Neck business community is probably too small to initiate and
maintain a Main Street program comparable to the one that already exists in Downtown
Salem. However, a local business association, or a business committee of a
neighborhood association could join the efforts of several individuals into a more
powerful outreach to accomplish the neighborhood vision (e.g. a business association
could “adopt” certain public spaces in need of beautification and maintenance, or it
could organize a jointly sponsored street festival in the summer to attract visitors and
potential new customers).
In a similar manner, residents could work together through a neighborhood association
to advance and achieve neighborhood improvement goals, such as the recommended
streetscape improvements and desired beautification of residential areas (e.g. neighbors
could get together to plant flower beds along East Collins Street, Collins Cove
Playground and other locations in the neighborhood).
DRAFT Salem Bridge Street Neck Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Implementation
The Cecil Group • GLC Development Resources • Peter Smith Associates • Tetra Tech Rizzo Page 28
Shared Marketing and Promotion
Marketing the inherent qualities of the Bridge Street Neck as a residential neighborhood
and local business district, and its potential to become an even better and more livable
neighborhood is one of the plan recommendations that has been repeated often during
the planning process.
The City could market residential opportunities in the Bridge Street Neck and other
parts of the city through its website, possibly with the assistance of MassHousing, as
part of the recommended housing revitalization strategies discussed in Section 4 of this
document.
A neighborhood business association could be proactive in marketing the local
businesses through shared advertising, funding and maintenance of local wayfinding
signage, the organization of festivals or events to attract visitors, and other promotional
activities.
Zoning Mechanisms
Zoning is the regulatory tool that allows municipalities to control and manage land use.
The following zoning recommendations are proposed for the implementation of this
plan.
Changes to Current Zoning
A detailed description of the current zoning in the Bridge Street Neck neighborhood is
provided in Appendix A of this document. A total of nine zoning districts and one
overlay district are located within the planning area, and are shown in Figure A9.
A review of the current zoning as it applies to the Bridge Street Neck is recommended
in order to provide for a more consistent distribution of neighborhood compatible uses
throughout the planning area. In particular, the application and geographical
distribution of business districts should be reviewed, and modified if needed in order to
enhance business compatibility with the neighboring residential areas.
The following changes to the current Zoning Map and district allocation are proposed:
y Change zoning in the areas currently designated as Wholesale and
Automotive (B4) district to Business Neighborhood (B1) district
designation. As the name indicates, the B4 district is intended for
businesses that require large lots and open space storage areas such as
wholesale and automotive service, repairs and trade. The B4 district does
not allow for residential uses.
The proposed revitalization vision for the neighborhood is one of a mixed
use, walkable neighborhood with a stable residential community and
compatible commercial businesses. The assessment of market trends and
conceptual development feasibility studies indicate that infill residential
and moderate-scale multi-family residential development could be an
appropriate and desirable use at these locations. Changing the zoning
designation from B4 to B1 district would allow for a mix of residential and
DRAFT Salem Bridge Street Neck Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Implementation
The Cecil Group • GLC Development Resources • Peter Smith Associates • Tetra Tech Rizzo Page 29
neighborhood-scale commercial uses that would be more appropriate and
compatible with the adjacent residential areas.
Although the existing businesses that could be affected by this zoning
change would be able to remain on location as nonconforming uses, the
new zoning designation would allow for the future use of those parcels to
be more compatible with the surrounding neighborhood.
y Expand the current Business Neighborhood (B1) district to include the
properties currently occupied by the Coffee Time bakery and the Mobile
gas station at the intersection of Bridge Street and Pearl Street. These
properties are currently zoned as Residential Two Family (R2), which
renders them as non-conforming uses and consequently hinders their
possibilities to alter, expand or reconstruct their facilities at their current
location.
Figure 6 represents the modified Zoning Map that would result from these proposed
changes should they be reviewed and found appropriate for adoption through a public
rezoning process.
Planned Unit Development
Planned Unit Development (PUD) is a “floating zone” mechanism available under
Section 7-15 of the Salem Zoning Code. This means that it could be applied to any site
as long as it meets a set of criteria described in Section 7-15, independently of the
underlying zoning or basic zone district designated in the map. One of the key criteria
for application is a requirement that the site area be the lesser of 60,000 sf, or five times
the minimum lot size of the zoning district that the property is in.
The purpose of the planned unit development district, according to Section 7-15 is to
allow for various types of land use to be combined in a compatible relationship with
each other as part of a totally planned development. PUDs are intended to ensure
compliance with the master plan and good zoning practices while allowing certain
desirable departures from the strict provisions of zoning classifications (e.g. the PUD
review process could allow for changes to setbacks, residential densities higher than the
ones allowed by the code, shared parking solutions, and other reasonable variations
from the standard provisions as long as it is demonstrated during the process that no
detrimental impact is caused). Zoning approvals are granted by the Planning Board
through a Special Permit.
Special Public Interests and Innovative Zoning Tools
The City may consider establishing and using special zoning tools to accomplish certain
objectives associated with some commercial properties in the Bridge Street Neck
neighborhood. In particular, there are several public interests that may not be met if
traditional zoning is applied.
y Advantageous relocation – In some instances in the neighborhood, existing
commercial uses are located on sites that are not fully compatible with adjacent
and nearby uses.
The Cecil Group GLC Development Resources Peter Smith Associates Tetra Tech Rizzo
DRAFT RepoRT
FIGURE 6
Bridge Street Neck Neighborhood Revitalization Plan
FIGURE 6: PRoPoSED zoNING mAP
DRAFT Salem Bridge Street Neck Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Implementation
The Cecil Group • GLC Development Resources • Peter Smith Associates • Tetra Tech Rizzo Page 30
y Business retention – In some cases, relocation of existing businesses could
unlock redevelopment of certain sites, and the resulting shift in use would have
positive benefits in terms of quality of life and property values for nearby
residential properties. However, the City benefits from the employment and
tax base associated with existing businesses. If zoning can provide incentives
for businesses to relocate to other more suitable sites within the neighborhood
or within Salem while the original site is redeveloped, then the public interest
would be well served.
y Productive and compatible interim use of existing properties – In view of the
existing market conditions but with the prospect of higher value
redevelopment as conditions improve, property owners have an interest in
holding onto land and buildings with minimal improvements. In some cases,
the property owners can afford to hold onto the land and buildings with
minimal business income, while they await changes. This tendency results in
unsightly and underutilized buildings that detract from the attractiveness of the
area and depress values for other nearby properties. A mechanism that incents
higher quality interim uses and property improvements would have both direct
and indirect economic and community benefits that are clearly in the public
interest.
There are several methods that might be employed to help meet the purposes of
advantageous relocation, business retention, and productive interim use of properties.
The City should consider special zoning programs such as the following:
Contract Zoning
“Contract zoning” refers to a practice through which a property owner and the City
establish a binding contract that fulfills clear public purposes, and which accompanies a
zoning change that is also advantageous to the owner of the site and the City. This
mechanism can allow the City to advance very specific priorities and opportunities. It is
essential to note that, once granted, the zoning becomes established as the governing
regulatory standard, even if the owner does not fulfill the obligations in the contract.
For this reason, the contract must be carefully drafted, so that the contract enforcement
methods are contained within it and are separate from the zoning itself.
Contract zoning might be applied as part of the Bridge Neck Neighborhood
improvement initiative in several ways. One scenario could involve the establishment of
a contract in association with the conditions required from the proponent for the
approval of a PUD Special Permit. Another scenario might be as follows:
y Step One: Establish a special Commercial Property Improvement category
as a “floating zone” – This zone designation would be eligible for
properties that meet certain standards, such as location within the Bridge
Street Neck neighborhood, proximity to residential properties. The floating
zone would specify the public interests in providing for relocation and
redevelopment of eligible properties. The zoning provisions would provide
for the ability to redevelop the property for other desirable uses such as
housing, mixed-use commercial, or other commercial uses deemed more
productive and compatible with the neighborhood.
DRAFT Salem Bridge Street Neck Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Implementation
The Cecil Group • GLC Development Resources • Peter Smith Associates • Tetra Tech Rizzo Page 31
y Step Two: Negotiations – The City would negotiate an agreement with the
owner that would accompany a change in zoning designation for the
property to the new “Commercial Property Improvement”. This
agreement could provide terms and conditions in the public interest, such
as relocation of the business to another site within the neighborhood or
the City, provision for productive interim use, provision of interim
property and site improvements, or the like. Performance requirements
such as bonding to allow the City to undertake interim site improvements
if the owner does not perform as expected would be built into the
agreement.
y Step Three: Simultaneous Approvals, Zone Change and Contract – Once
the negotiations are complete, the City would need to simultaneously
approve the zoning change and the negotiated contract with the property
owner.
Special Bonus Provisions
Similar purposes might also be achieved through special bonus provisions that address
the public interests in productive relocation and interim uses. It may be possible to
create an overlay zoning district for this area of the City that would provide enhanced
benefits (such as increased density) if the property owner provides for business
relocation within the City, for example, or provides for interim property improvements
as a condition of approval of a bonus. This approach would need to carefully calibrate
the scale and type of density or use bonus to ensure that the outcome would also be
appropriate for the neighborhood and clearly in the public interest.
MGL Chapter 43D
Consideration was made about the applicability of Chapter 43D to the Bridge Street
Neck neighborhood. Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 43 (c.43D) is a state law
and grant program that allows communities in Massachusetts to designate priority
development sites and establish rules and regulations to streamline the permitting
process. After a review of the criteria that apply to the designation of a 43D District, it
was concluded that the Bridge Street Neck neighborhood and the recommended
revitalization strategies do not match the criteria necessary to participate in this
program.
Design Guidelines
Design guidelines, as their name indicates, are intended to guide the design expression
and quality of physical improvements (such as buildings and landscaping) toward the
achievement of certain aesthetic goals specific to a particular location. These goals may
include the protection of an existing design character.
Commercial Design Guidelines
The City of Salem has prepared and enacted Commercial Design Guidelines to
encourage the highest quality design in its commercial areas. These guidelines apply to
the Bridge Street commercial area through an Entrance Corridor Overlay District,
which extends through the entire length of Bridge Street. The guidelines are focused on
DRAFT Salem Bridge Street Neck Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Implementation
The Cecil Group • GLC Development Resources • Peter Smith Associates • Tetra Tech Rizzo Page 32
signage, parking lots, fences and new nonresidential construction over 2,000 sf. These
guidelines are used by the Department of Planning and Community Development
(DPCD), the Building Department, and the Planning Board during the project review
and approval process.
An overview of the guidelines indicates a strong focus on traditional urban design
qualities and architectural features characteristic of a historic center such as Downtown
Salem. A similar focus is used in regard to the use of materials, signage and lighting.
While this approach has proven to be very appropriate and successful in the downtown,
it raises questions regarding its applicability to Bridge Street and, in particular to the
envisioned restaurant “cluster” north of Pierce Avenue. This area is zoned as a Business
Highway (B2) district, and includes businesses located on the waterfront. Some of the
guidelines, such as the placement of buildings close to the street and the traditional
design character of downtown storefronts may need to be qualified when they are
applied to these buildings (e.g. the restaurants located along the waterfront would
benefit from expanding toward the water and the harbor views, not toward the street).
Also, some of the guideline provisions concerning high quality materials and finishes
could result in costs higher than what might be reasonably affordable to some of the
smaller property owners, even with the assistance of the City of Salem Storefront
Improvement Program, which offers matching funding grants up to $5,000 to eligible
projects for storefront and signage improvements.
A review of the applicability of the Commercial Design Guidelines to Bridge Street
business is recommended, working together with the existing businesses in order to
determine which guidelines are appropriate to the local business character and which
may need to be reconsidered. The following suggestions could inform the courses of
action to be chosen by the City, depending on the results of the review:
y Waiving some of the guideline requirements for the Bridge Street
neighborhood businesses (to ease cost of improvements).
y Writing alternative design guidelines that would specifically address the
particular location and design character of the waterfront parcels.
Neighborhood Preservation District
The Bridge Street Neck neighborhood has enough historic character and resources to
possibly enable the creation of a Local Historic District (LHD). This would provide a
basis for a historically based neighborhood design expression, which could in turn
contribute to define and enhance the neighborhood’s historic identity. However, the
tight regulatory controls empowered to Local Historic Districts have made this an
unpopular idea with many neighborhood residents. In search of an alternative, the City
has been studying innovative tools for neighborhood character preservation, such as
the Neighborhood Preservation District (NPD).
The establishment of a NPD in the Bridge Street Neck was considered a few years ago,
but it didn’t become implemented at the time. Perhaps this is a good time to revisit the
initial NPD study and reconsider its application to the Bridge Street Neck, in order to
create guidelines for the protection of the neighborhood’s historic character. A NPD
DRAFT Salem Bridge Street Neck Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Implementation
The Cecil Group • GLC Development Resources • Peter Smith Associates • Tetra Tech Rizzo Page 33
would allow a good amount of flexibility and choice for local residents in the selection
of the specific design features that should be protected.
The possibility of using the NPD as a vehicle for the creation of neighborhood-specific
design guidelines for commercial properties (as a complement or a substitute to the
existing Commercial Design Guidelines) could also be explored during the preparation
of the guidelines.
Action Plan
Table 5 in the next page lists the available programs, tools and mechanisms that could
be applied to the implementation of this plan, and a proposed timeframe for
completion.
Table 5. Action Plan DRAFT Salem Bridge Street Neck Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Implementation The Cecil Group • GLC Development Resources • Peter Smith Associates • Tetra Tech Rizzo Page 34 Concept/Strategy Recommendations Implementation Implementing Parties (Bold Indicates Lead Organization) Existing Programs/ Potentially Available Resources Timeframe/ Phasing HOUSING REVITALIZATION Stabilize the local housing market through a coordinated property owner assistance and marketing effort • Assist homeowners at risk of foreclosure • Assist new owners in rehabilitating foreclosed properties • Orchestrate a multipronged effort to assist homeowners at risk of foreclosure and attract new resident owners • Focus information and enhance outreach within the community to identify opportunities such as homeowner assistance programs (e.g. North Shore Community Action Program, MassHousing purchase and rehabilitation loans for eligible families) • Provide access and education regarding City and state sponsored homeownership and home rehabilitation programs • Salem Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) • Salem Problem Property Teams • Local lenders • North Shore American Dream Down Payment Initiative • The Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) MassHousing programs • Neighborhood Stabilization Program • Historic Preservation Tax Credits Immediate Action Support a healthy real estate market that has a diverse mix of housing prices, housing types and low vacancies • Attract new residents to available housing • Market the neighborhood as an opportunity for first-time buyers • Coordinate marketing efforts to bring new buyers, lenders and partners • DPCD • MHP • Local realtors • “Buy Worcester NOW” (example) • Special lending programs (MassHousing) Short Term (1 to 2 years)
Table 5. Action Plan (Continued) DRAFT Salem Bridge Street Neck Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Implementation The Cecil Group • GLC Development Resources • Peter Smith Associates • Tetra Tech Rizzo Page 35 Concept/Strategy Recommendations Implementation Implementing Parties (Bold Indicates Lead Organization) Existing Programs/ Potentially Available Resources Timeframe/ Phasing HOUSING REVITALIZATION Support the development of neighborhood-scale new housing • Support the development of low-rise multi-family/infill housing • Allow the conversion from commercial to residential use in appropriate locations • Undertake zoning and regulatory changes to allow mixed use and residential development along Bridge Street (e.g. change zoning from B4 to B1 district) • Consider special zoning strategies to promote appropriate and economically beneficial redevelopment (e.g. contract zoning) • DPCD • Property owners Short Term (1 to 2 years)Reduce unsightly housing conditions that impact the overall appearance of the neighborhood • Improve deteriorated properties • Work with property owners to seek grants, financial assistance when possible • Set up programs to help renovate foreclosed property • Help at-risk residents to seek loan modifications • Undertake additional, focused code enforcement • City of Salem: y Mayor’s Office y DPCD y Building Department • Neighborhood Stabilization Program • Massachusetts Foreclosed Properties Program (not approved yet) • Making Home Affordable Program Immediate Action
Table 5. Action Plan (Continued) DRAFT Salem Bridge Street Neck Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Implementation The Cecil Group • GLC Development Resources • Peter Smith Associates • Tetra Tech Rizzo Page 36 Concept/Strategy Recommendations Implementation Implementing Parties (Bold Indicates Lead Organization) Existing Programs/ Potentially Available Resources Timeframe/ Phasing COMMERCIAL REVITALIZATION Promote the improvement and commercial redevelopment of sites with location advantages such as visibility, size and proximity to the water • Support enhanced business and restaurant clusters along the waterfront • Promote additional hospitality uses (hotel/motel/bed & breakfast) • Enhance waterfront access and amenities • Work with business owners to identify potential for improvements and need for technical/financial assistance • Promote shared strategy for marketing, waterfront amenities • Work with business/property owners to provide public access along the water • Create partnership for funding and building 1st phase of walkway along waterfront (from planned park at the end of Bridge Street to the 99 restaurant) • DPCD and Salem Chamber of Commerce • Business owners• Business Loan Program • Storefront Improvement Program Mid-Term (3 to 5 years) Enhance the attractiveness and success of the waterfront area through new investment in a cluster of restaurants and destination uses • Create a focused redevelopment strategy suited to this tightly constrained area • Coordinate public access and use of the new park and waterfront edge • Create special zoning or other regulatory tools and processes to encourage redevelopment • Work with property owners to promote reinvestment • Work with property owners to create and implement a shared parking strategy • DPCD • Business/ property owners • National Grid • Business Loan Program • Storefront Improvement Program Mid-Term (3 to 5 years)
Table 5. Action Plan (Continued) DRAFT Salem Bridge Street Neck Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Implementation The Cecil Group • GLC Development Resources • Peter Smith Associates • Tetra Tech Rizzo Page 37 Concept/Strategy Recommendations Implementation Implementing Parties (Bold Indicates Lead Organization) Existing Programs/ Potentially Available Resources Timeframe/ Phasing COMMERCIAL REVITALIZATION Improve the appearance of existing businesses properties • Undertake façade improvement • Improve signage • Improve landscaping of parking lots • Review current design guidelines for commercial properties, and determine appropriateness with local business/property owners • Consider updating the design guidelines to incorporate guidance on the use of innovative materials and technologies (e.g. LED signs) • Reach out and work with interested property owners to achieve individual business results • Undertake additional code enforcement activities • Undertake outreach to educate business owners about existing programs • DPCD • Business/ property owners • Local lenders • Business Loan Program • Storefront Improvement Program Short Term (1 to 2 years)
Table 5. Action Plan (Continued) DRAFT Salem Bridge Street Neck Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Implementation The Cecil Group • GLC Development Resources • Peter Smith Associates • Tetra Tech Rizzo Page 38 Concept/Strategy Recommendations Implementation Implementing Parties (Bold Indicates Lead Organization) Existing Programs/ Potentially Available Resources Timeframe/ Phasing COMMERCIAL REVITALIZATION Attract new small businesses and reinvestment in existing business properties • Promote new infill businesses and reinvestment for neighborhood-compatible businesses • Create a promotional program for leasing and reinvestment by organizing collaborations among property owners and the commercial brokerage community • Work with local property owners and technical assistance/business development programs to attract new businesses • Assess the conformability of existing business properties and adjust zoning if needed to support viable businesses • Salem Chamber of Commerce • DPCD • Business/ property owners • Local lenders • Business Loan Program • Salem State College Small Business Development Center (SBDC) • Salem State College Enterprise Center • North Shore Workforce Investment Board • U.S. Small Business Administration programs Short Term (1 to 2 years)
Table 5. Action Plan (Continued) DRAFT Salem Bridge Street Neck Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Implementation The Cecil Group • GLC Development Resources • Peter Smith Associates • Tetra Tech Rizzo Page 39 Concept/Strategy Recommendations Implementation Implementing Parties (Bold Indicates Lead Organization) Existing Programs/ Potentially Available Resources Timeframe/ Phasing COMMERCIAL REVITALIZATION Provide adequate and convenient parking for commercial uses • Protect and enhance the parking supply on- and off-street • Support the creation of shared and convenient parking • Manage on street parking along Bridge Street to ensure availability of convenient parking for business customers • Initiate conversations with business owners and utility companies to identify opportunities for new parking locations • If agreement is reached, establish partnership to initiate technical parking studies and a shared parking strategy • Support shared parking solutions through zoning • DPCD • Salem Parking Department • Business/ property owners Mid-Term (3 to 5 years) Enhance amenities to attract visitors to the Bridge Street Neck area • Enhance waterfront access and activities, including provisions for transient boat access • Promote the organization of summer festivals, program activities at the new park • Undertake feasibility study for public amenities and recreational programming • Undertake feasibility study for boat access • Seek additional public funding of waterfront access and amenities • Work with neighborhood businesses and residents to organize program of activities • DPCD • Salem Chamber of Commerce • Business/ property owners • Local residents Short Term (1 to 2 years)
Table 5. Action Plan (Continued) DRAFT Salem Bridge Street Neck Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Implementation The Cecil Group • GLC Development Resources • Peter Smith Associates • Tetra Tech Rizzo Page 40 Concept/Strategy Recommendations Implementation Implementing Parties (Bold Indicates Lead Organization) Existing Programs/ Potentially Available Resources Timeframe/ Phasing COMMERCIAL REVITALIZATION Enhance commercial identity and wayfinding • Complement the existing directional signage along the Bypass road (Route 1A) • Provide wayfinding and informational signage • Complement the existing directional signage along the bypass road (Route 1A) with signs directing to the Bridge Street businesses for vehicles leaving Salem • Create wayfinding and informational signage promoting the Bridge Street Neck businesses within the neighborhood and Downtown Salem • Provide identification signage at each end of Bridge Street for vehicles and pedestrians • DPCD • Salem Chamber of Commerce • Massachusetts Highway Department (Mass Highway) • Business/ property owners Short Term (1 to 2 years)Promote and facilitate neighborhood business stewardship • Promote the creation of a neighborhood business association or working group that incorporates local businesses and property owners • Continue working with local residents and business owners building upon the Working Group interaction generated during this planning process • Salem Chamber of Commerce • Business/ property owners • Ward II Social Club Immediate Action
Table 5. Action Plan (Continued) DRAFT Salem Bridge Street Neck Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Implementation The Cecil Group • GLC Development Resources • Peter Smith Associates • Tetra Tech Rizzo Page 41 Concept/Strategy Recommendations Implementation Implementing Parties (Bold Indicates Lead Organization) Existing Programs/ Potentially Available Resources Timeframe/ Phasing COMMERCIAL REVITALIZATION Work with businesses that could benefit from moving from less compatible to more compatible sites • Promote and enable business relocation and site reorganization • Meet with property owners/businesses to consider opportunities and options • Investigate mechanisms for technical/financial assistance and zoning incentives • Investigate potential sites for business relocation within Salem • Undertake zoning and regulatory changes to promote feasible redevelopment when market conditions allow • DPCD • Business/ property owners Short Term (1 to 2 years)
Table 5. Action Plan (Continued) DRAFT Salem Bridge Street Neck Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Implementation The Cecil Group • GLC Development Resources • Peter Smith Associates • Tetra Tech Rizzo Page 42 Concept/Strategy Recommendations Implementation Implementing Parties (Bold Indicates Lead Organization) Existing Programs/ Potentially Available Resources Timeframe/ Phasing NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENTS Expand streetscape improvements along side streets, once the Bridge Street improvements are completed • Provide for sidewalk improvements and landscaping where possible • Connect improved sidewalks to waterfront, shared path and open space network • Seek and secure additional public funding and target local improvements in a strategic, step-by-step improvement program • Improve sidewalk conditions throughout the neighborhood • Study and implement traffic calming elements at selected locations along Bridge Street • Study the possibility and long term cost of undergrounding utilities • DPCD • Salem Department of Public Works (DPW) • Chapter 90 funding Mid-Term (3 to 5 years) Expand and improve open space connections and amenities • Expand and improve open space along the water • Promote the creation of open space connections through new development • Consider the provision of bonus incentives through zoning in exchange for the creation of open space and public amenities • Seek and secure additional public funding • DPCD • DPW • Chapter 90 funding Mid-Term (3 to 5 years)
Table 5. Action Plan (Continued) DRAFT Salem Bridge Street Neck Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Implementation The Cecil Group • GLC Development Resources • Peter Smith Associates • Tetra Tech Rizzo Page 43 Concept/Strategy Recommendations Implementation Implementing Parties (Bold Indicates Lead Organization) Existing Programs/ Potentially Available Resources Timeframe/ Phasing NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENTS Extend pedestrian and bicycle access • Extend pedestrian and bicycle access along the waterfront • Extend pedestrian and bicycle access through potential new development • Seek opportunities to generate a network of interconnected bike paths/shared paths, building upon the planned extension of the bike path along Route 1A • Initiate feasibility studies to provide for public use and access where there are opportunities associated with zoning, Chapter 91 regulations or other methods • Study feasibility to extend the existing bicycle path from Webb Street north to Collins Cove Park, and to the planned park and open space at the end of Bridge Street • Improve signage and markings for the dedicated pedestrian and bicycle paths • Seek and secure additional public funding • DPCD • DPW • Bike Path Committee • Chapter 90 funding Mid-Term (3 to 5 years) Promote neighborhood stewardship • Establish a stewardship and leadership group through the participation of area residents, and create programs and activities at a neighborhood scale • Build upon Working Group interaction generated during this planning process by convening a meeting of interested parties, and identifying leadership to move the stewardship effort forward • Salem Bridge Street Neck Working Group • Local residents and business/ property owners Immediate Action
Table 5. Action Plan (Continued) DRAFT Salem Bridge Street Neck Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Implementation The Cecil Group • GLC Development Resources • Peter Smith Associates • Tetra Tech Rizzo Page 44 Concept/Strategy Recommendations Implementation Implementing Parties (Bold Indicates Lead Organization) Existing Programs/ Potentially Available Resources Timeframe/ Phasing POTENTIAL REDEVELOPMENT SITES Support new development and renovations at key locations which could change because of their size, location, potential value and relationship to the surrounding neighborhood • Waterfront restaurant cluster • Brake & Clutch site • Clipper Ship Inn • Former plumbing facilities • Work with business/property owners to achieve shared goals and mutual benefits • DPCD • Business/ property owners Market Driven