Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan - August 2013
Creating a Vision, Strengthening a Community:
A Vision and Action Plan for the
Point Neighborhood in Salem
2013 – 2020
August 2013
A collaboration between the City of Salem, the people who live, work and play in
the Point neighborhood, the North Shore Community Development Coalition
(NSCDC), and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC)
Prepared for the City of Salem, Massachusetts
Technical assistance provided by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC)
Funded by the Metro Boston Consortium for Sustainable Communities
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 1
Acknowledgments
The Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan was produced with input from over 300 members
of the Salem community. Thank you to all who participated throughout the planning process. This
vision and action plan builds on the diverse hopes, dreams, and ideas these individuals have in
creating a vibrant Point neighborhood.
The Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan was made possible with funding from the Metro
Boston Consortium for Sustainable Communities. This consortium of more than 125 local, state, and
nonprofit partners—funded by the Federal Partnership for Sustainable Communities and a
Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant from the Department of Housing and Urban
Development—works toward the implementation of MetroFuture, a 30-year plan to create a
sustainable, equitable, and economically competitive Boston Region. MetroFuture is a regional
vision and plan consistent with the federal government’s six Livability Principles. This project
advances the MetroFuture goals of Sustainable Growth Patterns, Housing Choices, Regional
Prosperity, and Transportation Choices. This project also advances federal livability principles
pertaining to transportation choices, equitable, affordable housing, enhancing economic
competitiveness, support for existing communities, and valuing communities and neighborhoods.
Professional planning and technical assistance was provided by the Metropolitan Area Planning
Council. Outreach and engagement assistance was provided by the North Shore Community
Development Coalition. Community PlanIt game development assistance was provided by the
Emerson Engagement Game Lab.
Honorable Mayor Kimberley Driscoll
Salem City Council
Jerry L. Ryan, President, Ward 4 Councillor
Kevin R. Carr, Jr. Councillor At Large
Thomas H Furey, Councillor At Large
William H. Legault, Councillor At Large
Arthur C. Sargent, III, Councillor At Large
Robert K. McCarthy, Ward 1, Councillor
Michael Sosnowski, Ward 2 Councillor
Todd A. Siegel, Ward 3 Councillor
Josh H. Turiel, Ward 5 Councillor
Paul C. Prevey, Ward 6 Councillor
Joseph A. O'Keefe, SR., Ward 7 Councillor
Salem Planning Board
Charles Puleo, Chair
Ben Anderson
Randy Clarke
Mark George
George McCabe
Tim Ready, Alternate Vice Chair
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 2
Kirt Rieder
Helen Sides
City of Salem Departments and Offices
Assessor, Council on Aging, GIS and Mapping, Health, Inspectional Services, Mayor’s Office,
Planning and Community Development, Police, Recreation, Recycling and Trash, Public Works
City of Salem Department of Planning and Community Development
Lynn Goonin Duncan, AICP, Director
Tom Daniel, AICP, former Economic Development Manager
Andrew Shapiro, Economic Development Planner
Frank Taormina, Planner/Harbor Coordinator
Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC)
Jennifer Erickson, Regional Planner – Project Manager
Joan Blaustein, Land Resources Planner
Christine Madore, Associate Planner
Clay Martin, Research Analyst
Holly St. Clair, Data Services Director
Emily Torres, Community Liaison
Bill Wang, GIS Analyst
North Shore Community Development Coalition (North Shore CDC)
Mickey Northcutt, Chief Executive Officer
Kristin Anderson, Chief Program Officer
Jackie Giordano, Director of External Affairs
Joy Winkler, Community Engagement Coordinator
Christina Conti, Massachusetts Promise Fellow
Volunteer Research Assistance
Research assistance and public meeting support was provided by students from a Salem State
University GIS class led by Professor Keith Ratner: Harley DeMars, Jennifer Titus, and Jakub Sitek.
Research assistance and public meeting support was also provided by a team of Harvard
University students, who completed a parcel and submarket analysis of the Point neighborhood as
part of a spring 2013 course: Kseniya Benderskaya, IIina Dubey, Hillary Harnett, Alykhan
Mohamed, and Jay Willis.
Volunteer Support for Public Meetings
The following individuals provided volunteer public meeting support: McKenzie Rieder, Katherine
Blaisdell, Rachel Schmied (SSU), Gianella Flores (SSU), Duna Dumel (SSU), Carline Michaud (SSU),
Jeanne Emmanuel (SSU), Stephanie Infante (SSU), Claudia Paraschiv, Ana Nuncio, Elsabel Rincon,
and Judy Bernardez.
Salem Point Neighborhood Advisory Committee
City and Grant Partners:
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 3
Mayor Kimberley Driscoll
Robert McCarthy, Ward 1 Councillor
Chief Paul Tucker, Salem Police Department
Jennifer Erickson, Regional Planner, MAPC
Mickey Northcutt, Executive Director, North Shore CDC
Neighborhood Representatives:
Lucy Corchado, President, Point Neighborhood Association
Laura Sanchez, Point Neighborhood Association
Deanna Arsenault, Salem Community Charter School Graduate
Scarlett Gonzalez, Salem Point Resident, Endicott College Student
Billie Phillips, Vice President of Marketing, Harbor Sweets
Workforce Development, Training, and Education:
Linda Saris, Director, Salem Cyberspace
Mary Sarris, Executive Director, North Shore Workforce Investment Board
Rosario Ubiera-Minaya, Executive Director, Salem Education Foundation
Dr. Elizabeth Duclos-Orsello, Associate Professor, Salem State University
Various:
Arts: Claudia Chuber, Director of Community Affairs, Peabody Essex Museums
Health: Margaret Brennan, CEO, North Shore Community Health Center
Business: Rinus Oosthoek, Executive Director, Salem Chamber of Commerce
Environment and Social Justice: Pat Gozemba, Writer/Advocate
Food Security: Sharon Driscoll, Owner, Milk & Honey Green Grocer
Sponsors
The following businesses generously contributed donations to the project, which enabled provision
of donations to area businesses and game players as part of the “What’s the Point” Community
PlanIt game:
Beverly Cooperative Bank
Orange Leaf
RCG
Salem Chamber of Commerce
Shetland Park
Cover Credits
North Shore Community Development Corporation, MAPC, and Emerson Engagement Game Lab
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 4
Table of Contents
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ..................................................................................................................................................... 1
COVER CREDITS ................................................................................................................................................................. 3
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................................................................................... 8
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................... 10
RECENT CITY OF SALEM PLANNING INITIATIVES ............................................................................................................. 10
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................................ 11
CHAPTER II: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ................................................................................................................. 13
CHAPTER III: EXISTING CONDITIONS ......................................................................................................................... 18
NEIGHBORHOOD BOUNDARY ........................................................................................................................................ 18
POPULATION................................................................................................................................................................... 19
ETHNIC DIVERSITY ........................................................................................................................................................... 20
EDUCATION .................................................................................................................................................................... 21
HOUSING ....................................................................................................................................................................... 22
Housing Stock.......................................................................................................................................................... 22
Housing Quality ...................................................................................................................................................... 23
Income and Affordability ...................................................................................................................................... 23
Housing Cost Burden .............................................................................................................................................. 25
ZONING AND LAND USE ................................................................................................................................................ 25
OPEN SPACE .................................................................................................................................................................. 27
STREETSCAPE AND PUBLIC REALM ................................................................................................................................... 27
PARCEL CONDITIONS ...................................................................................................................................................... 27
ECONOMY AND EMPLOYMENT ....................................................................................................................................... 28
PUBLIC SAFETY ................................................................................................................................................................ 29
COMMUNITY ASSETS AND RESOURCES .......................................................................................................................... 31
CHAPTER IV: POINT NEIGHBORHOOD VISION ....................................................................................................... 32
CHAPTER V: POINT NEIGHBORHOOD ACTION PLAN ........................................................................................... 34
VISION ELEMENT #1: SAFETY AND SECURITY ................................................................................................................. 34
VISION ELEMENT #2: NEIGHBORHOOD PRIDE AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT ..................................................................... 35
VISION ELEMENT #3: JOB TRAINING, JOB PLACEMENT, AND EDUCATION AND CAREER PATHWAYS ........................... 36
VISION ELEMENT #4: ENVIRONMENT, OPEN SPACE, AND RECREATION ........................................................................ 37
VISION ELEMENT #5: HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ................................................................................ 38
VISION ELEMENT #6: INFRASTRUCTURE .......................................................................................................................... 39
CHAPTER VI: POINT NEIGHBORHOOD VISION AND ACTION PLAN MATRIX .................................................. 41
ACTION PLAN OVERSIGHT AND IMPLEMENTATION ........................................................................................................ 51
APPENDIX A: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MATERIALS: AGENDAS + PARTICIPANT DEMOGRAPHICS ... 52
APPENDIX B: FOCUS GROUP, COMMUNITY PLANIT, AND PUBLIC MEETING HIGHLIGHTS .......................... 65
APPENDIX C: WHAT’S THE POINT? COMMUNITY PLANIT PLAYER STATISTICS ................................................ 79
APPENDIX D: 2013 SALEM POINT NEIGHBORHOOD PARCEL CONDITIONS SURVEY RESULTS .................. 81
APPENDIX E: SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS IN SAFETY & SECURITY .................................................................. 83
APPENDIX F: SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS IN ENVIRONMENT, OPEN SPACE, AND THINGS TO DO ....... 84
APPENDIX G: SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS IN INFRASTRUCTURE ..................................................................... 85
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 6
Tables and Figures
Figure 1: Salem Point Vision and Action Plan Elements .............................................................................................. 8
Table 1: Community Engagement Overview .............................................................................................................. 11
Figure 2: CPI Game Mission and Challenge Interface ............................................................................................. 14
Figure 3: CPI Challenge Responses .............................................................................................................................. 15
Figure 4: Empathy Characters ...................................................................................................................................... 15
Figure 5: CPI Community Causes .................................................................................................................................. 16
Figure 6: Point Neighborhood Boundary .................................................................................................................... 18
Figure 7: Population Density ......................................................................................................................................... 19
Table 2: Population by Age .......................................................................................................................................... 19
Figure 8: Foreign Born Population ................................................................................................................................ 20
Table 3: Country of Origin ............................................................................................................................................ 20
Figure 9: Educational Attainment.................................................................................................................................. 21
Table 4: Occupied Housing Units by Tenure and Number of Units in Building ................................................... 22
Table 5: Housing Types and Property Values by Unit ............................................................................................. 22
Table 6: Housing Stock Year Built ................................................................................................................................ 23
Figure 10: Median Household Income ......................................................................................................................... 24
Figure 11: Salem Rentals Snapshot, Point vs. South, North, and Downtown Salem ........................................... 24
Figure 12: Housing Cost Burden ................................................................................................................................... 25
Figure 14: Commercial & Industrial Land Use ........................................................................................................... 26
Figure 13: Residential Land Use ................................................................................................................................... 26
Figure 15: Open Space.................................................................................................................................................. 27
Table 7: Percent of Population 16 and Over in Labor Force* or Unemployed by Age .................................. 28
Table 8: Businesses by Type .......................................................................................................................................... 28
Figure 16: City of Salem: Crimes per Capita, Calendar Year 2012 ................................................................... 29
Figure 17: Point Neighborhood Community Assets ................................................................................................... 31
Table 9: Salem Point Neighborhood Action Plan Matrix, 2013-2017 ................................................................ 42
Table 10: Salem Point Neighborhood Action Plan Matrix by Partners................................................................ 47
Uses by Type in Point Neighborhood Priority Investment Zone ............................................................................. 81
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 8
Executive Summary
he Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan outlines a vision to improve the quality
of life in the Point neighborhood and an action agenda that the City of Salem and
community partners will work together to implement over a seven-year period from 2013-
2020. This Plan is a product of a year-long grassroots, neighborhood-level visioning process
where city officials and community leaders, residents, students, service providers, property
owners, and others engaged in a series of conversations to consider practical approaches for
building upon the assets of the Point and making it an even better place to live, work, study, and
visit.
This Plan is consistent with the City of Salem goal of undertaking neighborhood planning that
augments the Salem Five-Year Consolidated Plan released in May 2010. This Plan also builds
upon recommended actions outlined in a number of citywide planning activities the City has
engaged in. While previous plans have yielded valuable baseline knowledge about challenges
and opportunities facing the City of Salem as a whole, this Plan provides context-specific
information about the neighborhood and detailed implementation strategies.
The Action Plan guides municipal priorities for local capital and operating improvements and
community development and planning to be undertaken by the city working closely with
community partners including the North Shore Community Development Coalition, the Point
Neighborhood Association, and others. The Action Plan addresses six vision elements that the City
and its partners will work to advance over the next seven years.
Figure 1: Salem Point Vision and Action Plan Elements
Point
Neighborhood
Vision
Safety +
Security
Neighborhood
Pride +
Civic
Engagement
Job Training
+ Placement,
Education and
Career
Pathways
Environment,
Open Space,
and
Recreation
Housing +
Economic
Development
Infrastructure
T
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 9
The vision for each element of the Vision and Action Plan:
Safety and Security: The Point neighborhood is a safe and secure neighborhood for
residents and visitors alike.
Neighborhood Pride and Civic Engagement: Point neighborhood residents have pride in
the neighborhood and people of all ages have a role in improving the neighborhood and
changing misconceptions
Job Training, Job Placement, and Education and Career Pathways: The Point
neighborhood has resources and connections to public and private sector entities that
enable residents of all ages to connect to job opportunities, education and career
development resources.
Environment, Open Space, and Recreation: The Point neighborhood provides a variety
of quality recreational options for people of all ages.
Housing and Economic Development: Point neighborhood residents have access to both
affordable rental and ownership opportunities in the neighborhood that meets their needs
and stage in life, housing stock is compliant with applicable codes and standards, and the
neighborhood has different recreational options that appeal to residents of all ages.
Infrastructure: The Point neighborhood offers residents and visitors a clean environment
and safe options for getting to where they need to go – whether it is by foot, by bike, or
by car.
To successfully carry out the Salem Point Neighborhood Vision, a working group consisting of
public officials and community partners will meet regularly over the next seven years to check in
on roles, progress, and to troubleshoot challenges in advancing activities outlined in the Plan.
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 10
Chapter I: Introduction
The Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan is a component of ongoing planning
activities conducted by the City of Salem Department of Planning and Community Development.
The Vision and Action Plan was developed with lead assistance provided by project partners: the
North Shore Community Development Coalition (North Shore CDC) and the Metropolitan Area
Planning Council (MAPC). Additional assistance was also provided by MAPC partner Emerson
Engagement Game Lab and teams of undergraduate students from Salem State University and
graduate students from a Harvard University graduate studio course.
The vision, goals, and action items communicated in this document reflect the input and
participation of the Point neighborhood community. The first section provides a broad overview of
existing conditions in the Point, highlighting some of the assets and opportunities in the Point. The
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision provides a guide for continued planning and community
development. The Salem Point Neighborhood Action Plan matrix outlines specific tasks that will be
advanced by the City of Salem in concert with community partners over the next seven years.
Recent City of Salem Planning Initiatives
The City of Salem has undertaken a number of planning projects over the last ten years that have
components that pertain to the Point. The following documents were reviewed and select content
from each has been considered and referenced in the action plan:
2006 Point Neighborhood Historic Resources Survey and Preservation Plan
2010 Citywide Consolidated Plan – Housing Needs Assessment section
2007 Citywide Open Space and Recreation Plan
2010 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Study
Salem Pedestrian/Bike Plan
Peabody Street Park Plan
Harborwalk Plan
Salem Downtown Renewal Plan
2011-2012 Salem Annual Consolidated Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER)
These plans have guided investments in the Point in recent years, including:
In 2010, the city constructed a small new playground at Peabody Street Park.
In 2010 the city constructed the Harborwalk, linking the Point Neighborhood to the South
River
In 2011 the city made improvements at Palmer Cove Park at the southern end of the
neighborhood, including adding new netting for a baseball field.
In 2011, the city made a number of “street improvements” including sidewalk installation
at Perkins Street, Harbor Street, Lafayette Street, and Congress Street. On Harbor Street
and Lafayette Streets, the roadway and pedestrian improvement project utilized an
additional grant from the MassDOT Public Works Economic Development in addition to the
relevant federal funds. (Salem 2011-2012 CAPER)
In the past five years, the city has expended approximately $570,000 in housing
rehabilitation and affordable housing creation, including the St. Joe’s redevelopment
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 11
project; and approximately $26,000 in first-time homebuyer assistance. Housing
Rehabilitation Loan Program – Multi-family
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is a federal grant program
that provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community
development needs. The City of Salem is a CDBG entitlement community and receives
annual grants that support decent housing, a suitable living environment, and opportunities
to expand economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons.
CDBG investments in the Point: $149,850.00
HOME is the largest federal block grant to state and local governments designed
exclusively to create affordable housing for low-income households. HOME funding for
affordable housing in the Point: $421,995.00
Community Engagement Overview
Content for the Vision and Action Plan was collected between September 2012 and May 2013
through the activities outlined below. View copies of the focus group and workshop agendas as
well as reports on participant demographics in Appendix A.
Table 1: Community Engagement Overview
Salem Point
Visioning Advisory
Committee
Meetings
August, December,
March, June
A nineteen-member Advisory Committee met quarterly to provide input
at key points during the process. The August meeting was a kick off of
the planning process. Subsequent meetings provided opportunities for
input on the structure of the March public visioning workshop, input on
the outline of the Vision and Action Plan, and to discuss comments on
the draft Vision and Action Plan and next steps for implementing the
vision.
Focus Groups
September 2012 –
January 2013
North Shore CDC held nine focus groups to reach people who live and
work in the Point. Focus groups were held in English and Spanish.
Participants included property managers, property owners, tenants in
North Shore CDC-owned properties, business owners, service providers,
members of the Point Neighborhood Association, students in the North
Shore CDC English as a Second Language program, and residents at
the Senior Center. Over 60 people participated in the focus groups.
What’s “the Point?”
A Community
PlanIt Game
January 25 – February
18, 2013
MAPC, North Shore CDC, and Emerson Engagement Game Lab worked
with CDC youth leaders to launch the “What’s the Point?” Community
PlanIt game. Community PlanIt (CPI) is an interactive social media
game that offers an alternative way of collecting information about the
interests and preferences of participants on a range of community
issues. Over 200 people played “What’s “the Point”? including city
officials, students, residents, educators, service providers, and others.
Salem Point
Visioning
Workshop
The purpose of the Visioning Workshop was to obtain input from
people who live, work, go to school in, and play in the Point on
neighborhood strengths, challenges, opportunities, and improvements
they would like to see. Participants provided feedback on opportunities
and improvements people would like to see made in the neighborhood.
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 12
March 7, 2013 Over 50 people participated in the workshop.
Salem Point Action
Planning Workshop
May 13, 2013
The purpose of the Action Planning Workshop was to obtain input from
people who live, work, go to school in, and play in the Point
neighborhood on suggested topics and related action items to be
included in the neighborhood action plan. The meeting helped identify
priority action items and new action items to include in the final plan.
Over 40 people participated in the workshop.
Final Report
Development
June – August, 2013
The draft Vision and Action Plan was posted on the City of Salem,
North Shore CDC, and MAPC websites for public review and comment
over a two-week period. The final Vision and Action Plan was
submitted to the City of Salem in August 2013.
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 13
Chapter II: Community Engagement
The Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan was built on a robust public engagement
process led by the North Shore CDC in partnership with MAPC and the City of Salem. Below are
fuller descriptions of each engagement method.
Focus Groups
North Shore CDC held nine focus groups with members of the community in English or Spanish to
understand neighborhood issues and opportunities. Each focus group was asked to consider the
following questions:
Name two (2) things you like best about the Point
Name one (1) thing you would like to change about the Point.
Why does this exist? What is standing in the way of change? Write your ideas for a
solution:
What’s “the Point?” A Community PlanIt (CPI) Game
CPI is a tool and a game that provided another way for people to participate in the planning
process by weighing in on planning options remotely if they
had access to the internet. CPI also created a more
accessible way for people of all ages and levels of
planning knowledge to grasp community planning concepts.
Partners used CPI to gather meaningful stories and data
about people’s thoughts and ideas about the Point
neighborhood, to educate the community about planning
topics and the Point neighborhood, and to facilitate
dialogue among players.
Emerson Engagement Game Lab developed the platform for the game. North Shore CDC youth
leaders worked with MAPC to develop the game content, which was informed by information
emerging from the focus groups.
Goals and objectives: Complete all three game missions and gain as many coins as
possible from answering each question. Challenge and trivia questions prompted players
to share personal thoughts and stories.
Outcomes: All feedback submitted through the game was used to structure the first public
meeting – the Salem Point Neighborhood Visioning Workshop. Feedback was also
considered when drafting the elements in the Vision and Action Plan.
Game structure: The game experience is structured around three missions, and each
mission contained 14 questions. Each mission had a video introduction. The three missions
were:
o Exploring the Point
o Living, Working, and Studying in the Point
Image credit: North Shore CDC
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 14
o Playing in the Point
Empathy characters: North Shore CDC youth leaders interviewed 20 members of the
Point neighborhood community to develop several characters that made an appearance in
the game.
Community causes: Players can view a Project Bank, where they can pledge coins
earned to pre-loaded and player-submitted real-life causes that will benefit the Point
community. The three causes with the most coins earned a real donation of $500. Cause
awards were donated by Point neighborhood businesses and organizations.
Access to the game: The game was available for play during a three-week period.
Anyone with access to the internet was able to play the game. The game website was in
English with the option of using Google Translate to play it in other languages.
Game Launch Party: Community partners sponsored a Community PlanIt Game Launch Party
on January 25, 2013, which was attended by over 100 people and covered by the Salem
News.
Figure 2: CPI Game Mission and Challenge Interface
Image credit: Emerson EGL
Image credits: MAPC
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 15
Figure 3: CPI Challenge Responses
Image credit: Emerson EGL
Figure 4: Empathy Characters
Image credit: Emerson EGL
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 16
Figure 5: CPI Community Causes
Image credit: Emerson EGL
Salem Point Visioning Workshop – March 27, 2013
The goal of the Visioning Workshop was to engage people who live, work, study, and/or play in
the Point neighborhood in identifying strengths, challenges, opportunities, and improvements they
want to see. The Visioning Workshop format built on feedback obtained through the focus groups
and the CPI game. Participants broke out into table discussions.
The meeting was held primarily in English with
interpretation available for those whose primary
language was Spanish. Meeting materials were
available in English and Spanish. Two interpreters
were present to assist individuals speaking
primarily Spanish during the table discussions. The
workshop also served as the “What’s the Point?”
CPI game finale party. Awards were given to the
three top scoring community causes, the three top
scoring players, and the “most liked” player.
MAPC also used keypad polling technology to collect data on the demographics of participants
and to poll people on some of the key issues we asked people about in the CPI game. Many of
the priorities voiced by people who played the game mirrored the concerns of people at the
public meeting. Please see Appendix A for a report on keypad polling results.
Salem Point Action Planning Workshop – May 13, 2013
Image Credit: MAPC
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 17
The goal of the Action Planning workshop was to engage people who live, work, study, and/or
play in the Point neighborhood in refining a starter list of action plan ideas and to identify
additional ideas that could be included. The Action Planning workshop content and format built on
feedback obtained through the focus groups, the CPI game, and the Visioning workshop.
Participants broke out into table discussions by topic using the “World Café” meeting method,
which enabled people to participate in two different table discussions during an hour. The
meeting was held primarily in English with interpretation available for those whose primary
language was Spanish. Meeting materials were available in English and Spanish. Two interpreters
were present to assist individuals speaking primarily Spanish during the table discussions.
MAPC also used keypad polling technology to collect data on the demographics of participants
and to poll people on their top two action item priorities under each of the six elements in the
action plan. Please see Appendix A for a report on keypad polling results.
Image Credit: MAPC
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 18
Chapter III: Existing Conditions
The Point neighborhood is approximately 195 acres located just south of the downtown and
wharf neighborhoods of Salem, and includes approximately 4,100 people. The Point is
distinguished from surrounding neighborhoods by its geography, density, high proportion of multi-
family housing and masonry apartment blocks, and high concentration of immigrants.
Neighborhood resources include rich architectural assets, a significant supply of affordable
housing, immigrant-owned small businesses, easy access to Salem Harbor and public transit, and
close proximity to Salem State University. It is also a vibrant, ethnically diverse community that has
long been a settlement destination for new immigrants.
This section provides context to the Vision and Action Plan strategies by reviewing select
characteristics of the Point in the areas of population, ethnic diversity, education, income, housing,
zoning, land use, parcel conditions, economy and employment, public safety, and community
resources.
Neighborhood Boundary
The Point neighborhood is located in
north Salem, adjacent to the Salem
waterfront. In the north, it begins on
Dodge Street, extends to the
waterfront to include the Shetland
Park Business Park property, and in
the south it extends from Salem
Street, to Chase, Cedar, and Cypress
streets. Main thoroughfares in the
neighborhood include Congress and
Lafayette streets. For the purposes of
this Plan, the priority investment zone
for the neighborhood is a smaller
portion of the neighborhood
boundary and concentrates on 17
streets in the neighborhood, from
Peabody Street in the north, Salem
and Chase streets in the South, and
Lafayette Street on the west.
Figure 6: Point Neighborhood Boundary
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 19
Population
The Point is the densest neighborhood in the city of Salem, with approximately 33 people per
acre living in a majority of the neighborhood (Census 2010). This is significant when compared to
the density of the City of Salem as a whole, which is 8 people per acre. The high density of the
neighborhood means that the majority of parcels has little green space, and open space is limited
and consists of a mix of midsized and small pocket parks.
Figure 7: Population Density
The Point has a larger percentage of young people compared to the City of Salem – 32.4
percent of the population is aged 19 and under.
Table 2: Population by Age
Point Neighborhood City of Salem
Total Population 4,107 41,340
4 and Under 8.0% 5.6%
5 to 19 24.4% 17.0%
20 to 34 26.5% 24.0%
35 to 54 24.7% 28.2%
55 to 64 9.3% 12.3%
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 20
Point Neighborhood City of Salem
65 and Over 8.0% 12.3%
Source: Census 2010
Ethnic Diversity
The current population in the Point is 63 percent non-white, consisting of mostly Latino immigrants
and second and older generations as well as newer arrivals from Haiti and African countries
(Census 2010). The demographic makeup of the Point contrasts to that of the City as a whole,
which is 75 percent white. A majority of the foreign born population of Salem also resides in the
Point, consistent with its history as a settlement for new immigrants.
Figure 8: Foreign Born Population
A majority of Point residents emigrated from the Dominican Republic. Other immigrants came from
countries in Central and South America, Africa, Asia, Canada, and England. Approximately 35
percent of households in the Point do not speak English as a primary language; this contrasts to
26 percent of households who do not speak English as a primary language in the city of Salem as
a whole (ACS estimates 2006-10).
Table 3: Country of Origin
Country Percent
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 21
Country Percent
Dominican Republic 46.22
Guatemala 8.54
Vietnam 8.00
Honduras 6.20
Brazil 4.29
Kenya 3.90
Canada 3.61
England 2.05
Jordan 2.05
Russia 1.85
Source: American Community Survey 2007 - 2011
Education
The Point has a much higher percentage of residents without a high school diploma when
compared to the City of Salem as a whole – 22 percent of residents are without a high school
diploma as compared to 11 percent of all Salem residents. Some of this is accounted for by the
fact that the Point also has a larger population of people aged 19 and under. The percent of
Point residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher is similar to that of the City of Salem as a
whole – 36 percent of Point residents and 38 percent of Salem residents have college degrees.
Figure 9: Educational Attainment
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 22
Housing
A majority of housing units in the Point are renter-occupied – 64 percent of housing units as
compared to 49 percent of housing units in the city of Salem. Only 17 percent of households in
the Point are owner-occupied as compared to 51 percent in the city of Salem. The following table
shows owner- and renter-occupied housing units by unit type.
Table 4: Occupied Housing Units by Tenure and Number of Units in Building
Point Neighborhood Salem
Owner-
Occupied
Renter-
Occupied
Owner-
Occupied
Renter-
Occupied
Percent of Occupied Units 36.0 64.0 51.7 48.3
Detached, One-Unit 21.5 0.0 45.3 5.1
Attached, One-Unit 9.1 1.2 12.6 2.7
Two Units 19.5 15.3 16.5 19.1
Three to Four Units 21.1 31.7 14.1 26.3
Five to Nine Units 12.1 22.0 5.7 12.6
10 to 19 Units 5.7 13.1 1.5 8.9
20 to 49 Units 9.9 11.5 2.5 11.4
Greater than 50 Units 1.1 5.2 1.8 13.9
Mobile Homes 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Other 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Source: Census 2010
Housing Stock
The City of Salem has approximately 18,000 total housing units of which 1,738 units are located
in the Point neighborhood (Census 2010). The Point neighborhood is primarily residential in
character but with pockets of commercial development. While single-family homes are the most
common housing type in Salem, the Point consists mostly of large multifamily three- and four-story
masonry structures. A study of housing in the Point by residential type indicates that nearly two-
thirds of the units in the neighborhood are in apartment buildings. Units in three-family homes
make up an additional 21% of the housing stock. Single-family homes account for only 3% of all
residential units.
Table 5: Housing Types and Property Values by Unit
Residential Asset
Type
% of Total
Housing Stock Median Value Bottom
Quintile Top Quintile
Single Family 3% $211,900 $180,940 $249,620
Condominium 3% $115,200 $115,200 $182,700
Two-Family 11% $114,975 $105,290 $122,410
Three-Family 21% $88,167 $78,773 $98,853
Apartment building 63% $77,392 $66,267 $90,850
Source: City of Salem Assessors data / MassGIS Level 3 Parcel Data
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 23
A study of sales data for core streets in the Point from the City Assessor reveals that about 63
percent of all real estate in the Point has exchanged hands on the market since 2000. A closer
look at the sales information reveals that about 33 percent of these buildings were bought by
people residing in other cities and 24 percent were purchased by Salem residents who live in a
different part of Salem. The fact that 57 percent of all the real estate that changed ownership in
the past 13 years belongs to non-residents of the Point suggests that there is a relatively
profitable rental market in this area. However, these data also have important implications for
the quality of rental stock offered to the community.
Housing Quality
Three out of four housing units in the Point were built before 1940, compared to 57% of units in
the City of Salem. Only 3% of Point Neighborhood units were built after 2000.
Table 6: Housing Stock Year Built
Area Point
Neighborhood* City of Salem
Housing Stock Year Built
Before 1940 75% 57%
1940 to 1969 13% 18%
1970 to 1999 10% 20%
After 2000 3% 5%
Source: MAPC Analysis based on Census Tract Level Estimates, ACS 2007 - 2011
High rates of absentee landlordism are often associated with housing maintenance concerns. A
review of fire, building, and health code violations from several City departments for the years
2008-2012 indicates that 46 percent of absentee properties were in violation of at least one of
the three aforementioned codes. Point property owners and those living in other Salem
neighborhoods are three times less likely to have code violations. Common concerns include
missing smoke detectors, obstructed exits, exposed sewerage, and excessive trash/hoarding.
Building department violations included disregard for proper zoning, construction and building
codes. The most common examples of building code violations included the addition of extra
living space to owners’ structures without proper approval from the Board of Appeals and/or
Planning Board or insertion of unwarranted commercial space into the ground floors of single-
purpose, residential buildings. Improving housing quality in the Point through better enforcement
of building, fire, and health codes is a major Action Plan priority.
Income and Affordability
The majority of housing in the Point is rental, and a look at average gross rents1 in Salem
indicates that the average gross rent for all apartments in the Point is 13 percent lower than
average gross rent in the City of Salem, according to 2007-2011 American Community Survey
data. A review of a catalog of current rental properties, as well as brief conversations with local
real estate agents indicates that the asking rent for a 2 or 3 bedroom apartment in the Point is
1 “Gross” rent refers to rent including all expenses, such as utilities, and not only the rent paid to landlords, which is
the “contract” rent.
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 24
the lowest in Salem. In addition, the average time listed for properties in The Point is over 100
days, significantly higher than adjacent neighborhoods. Rents and prices in the neighborhood are
well below those of the adjacent neighborhoods. In addition, a larger percentage of households
in the Point versus the City of Salem as a whole meet federal poverty guidelines – 20 percent of
households in the Point versus 11 percent of households in the City of Salem (Census 2010 tract
level median estimates).
Figure 10: Median Household Income
The neighborhood’s proximity to Salem’s historic downtown and the MBTA commuter rail station is
a major asset, and the current rents do not reflect this. The area along Washington Street and
Lafayette Street, from Downtown Salem near the commuter rail station, reveals a striking
correlation between proximity to the station and average rents. Measures must be taken to ensure
that future development occurs to mitigate displacement and ensure housing affordable to a
range of incomes.
Figure 11: Salem Rentals Snapshot, Point vs. South, North, and Downtown Salem
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 25
Source: Trulia.com rental prices search in May 2013
Housing Cost Burden
The significant stock of affordable housing in the Point is an asset to the City of Salem, however
when we look at households spending more than 30 percent of income on housing – what the
federal government calls “cost-burdened” households – there is a significant population of cost-
burdened households in the Point. According to Census estimates, 62 percent of renters in the Point
are cost-burdened, as compared to 49 percent of renters in the City of Salem; 39 percent of
homeowners are cost-burdened, as compared to 38 percent of owners in the City of Salem.
Figure 12: Housing Cost Burden
Zoning and Land Use
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 26
The majority of the Point Neighborhood is zoned as R3 (multi-family residential), while an area
defined by Congress Street, between Lynch Street and Palmer and Lafayette streets is zoned as
B1 (business neighborhood). Most properties in the Point are residential duplex and multi-family
dwellings and no property is permitted to be taller than five stories in height. Most residential
structures in the Point neighborhood occupy parcels less than 1/10th of an acre. Shetland Business
Park on the east side of The Point is zoned as an industrial site (I) and currently houses a charter
school and adult day care center which are both allowed by-right. The south side and west end of
the neighborhood is zoned as B4 (Wholesale and Automotive) and R2 (Two-Family Residential)
respectively.
Figure 13: Residential Land Use Figure 14: Commercial & Industrial Land
Use
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 27
Open Space
The Point neighborhood is home to four
parks: Mary Jane Lee Park, Lafayette Park,
Palmer Cove Park and Playground, and
Peabody Street Park. Mary Jane Lee Park
is in the heart of the neighborhood and is
actively used by children of all ages.
Palmer Cove provides a baseball field and
basketball courts. Peabody Street Park is
programmed with activities and play
equipment for children of all ages and
adults, with seating and a performance
canopy making it a location for gatherings.
Improving amenities at all of the parks is a
major Action Plan priority.
Streetscape and Public Realm
One of the most striking qualities of the
Point is the character of its street grid.
While its residential and commercial blocks
between Chase and Palmer Streets are
appropriately sized for both “heels and
wheels,” the central and northern sections of
the Point consist of oversized street blocks
that are not human scale and difficult to
navigate on foot. Though the east-west
streets make the community quite porous for people travelling from the Lafayette corridor to
Shetland Park on the other side, the north-south avenues are not nearly as fluid. For instance, both
Salem Street and Prince Street end at their intersection with Harbor Street, and the entire
northern section of the Point forms narrow, horizontal superblocks. Instead of cutting vertically
through Harbor and Ward Streets to get to Peabody Street, pedestrians (and cars for that
matter) would have to make their make their way around the circumference of the superblock,
which discourages foot traffic in this location.
Another aspect of spatial organization that impacts the overall residential character of the
neighborhood is its parcel shapes and sizes, with many lots that are less than one tenth of an acre
in area. While this level of density is desirable in urban settings, it also necessitates access to
more open spaces and semi-private spaces. The majority of the Point’s homeowners and tenants
do not have private backyards, and the quality of the public realm becomes particularly
important for recreation and social interaction.
Parcel Conditions
In spring 2013, a parcel analysis was conducted of the 251 parcels located in the designated
priority investment zone of the Point neighborhood. Parcel and building conditions and the
streetscape adjacent to each parcel were surveyed. Information collected will be used to inform
infrastructure investment decisions and code enforcement in the Point neighborhood.
Figure 15: Open Space
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 28
Key findings:
Building conditions: 66 percent of occupied parcels are well-maintained; 25 percent of
occupied parcels were identified as being in poor condition
Streetscape conditions in front of parcels: 37 percent are categorized as well
maintained but with few amenities; 35 percent are categorized as poorly maintained,
with cracked sidewalks and litter; 28 percent are categorized as well maintained with
trees, benches, trash cans, or other amenities
Parcel uses by type: 86 percent of parcels are residential; 6 percent are commercial,
and 4 percent are parking lots; 2 percent are mixed use and 2 percent are vacant lots
Residential parcels: 4 percent of residential buildings have between 2-4 units
Businesses: 90 percent of businesses are independently owned
Parking: 47 percent of parcels had surface parking; of those, 82 percent have between
1-5 parking spots
Detailed information on the location of properties in need of building and/or streetscape
rehabilitation is on file with the City of Salem.
Please see Appendix D for a full report of findings from the 2013 Salem Point Neighborhood
Parcel Conditions Survey.
Economy and Employment
The percent of the Point neighborhood population that is in the labor force is comparable to the
City of Salem. A higher percentage of younger people ages 16 to 35 are employed or looking
for work, which is consistent with interests in more job training opportunities. Increasing skills
training and access to jobs that pay a living wage are both major Action Plan priorities.
Table 7: Percent of Population 16 and Over in Labor Force* or Unemployed by Age
Point Neighborhood Salem
In Labor
Force Unemployed
In Labor
Force Unemployed
16 to 25 74.0 23.4 65.5 18.2
25 to 35 95.9 6.7 91.0 8.4
35 to 45 89.9 17.0 90.9 10.9
45 to 65 76.5 14.8 79.3 7.9
Over 65 13.0 7.1 20.4 5.3
Source: American Community Survey, 2007 - 2011
*To be in the labor force a person must either be employed or looking for
work
Table 8: Businesses by Type
Sector
Count of
Businesses
Sum of
Employees %
Construction 6 13 4%
Education and health services 18 436 13%
Financial activities 12 92 9%
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 29
Sector
Count of
Businesses
Sum of
Employees %
Information 4 23 3%
Leisure and hospitality (includes
arts, entertainment, food) 8 80 6%
Manufacturing 7 259 5%
Other Services 12 32 9%
Professional and business services 29 108 21%
Public Administration 11 371 8%
Trade, transportation, and utilities
(includes retail) 25 165 18%
#N/A 7 21 5%
Grand Total 139 1600
Public Safety
An analysis of crime data obtained from the Salem Police Department for all Salem
neighborhoods during calendar year 2012 indicates that the Point had the largest number of
recorded crimes; however it also had a lower crime per capita ratio when compared to
Downtown Salem. While the Downtown area had a higher crime per capita ratio, the Point
neighborhood had a higher crime per acre ratio. Both neighborhoods were significantly higher in
terms of reported crimes in both regards when compared to other neighborhoods in the city.
Media coverage often covers reported crimes in the Point. An analysis of crimes by type in all
Salem neighborhoods indicates that violent crimes were reported in many neighborhoods in the
city and were not concentrated solely in and around the Point neighborhood. A spatial analysis of
crime data found that the majority of reported crime was found within a connected area spanning
Federal Street in Downtown to Leavitt Street in the Point neighborhood. A look at crime density in
and around the Point neighborhood during four seasons – January-March, April-June, July-
September, and October-December also indicate that the most active timeframe for crime
happens between the months of April and June.
Figure 16: City of Salem: Crimes per Capita, Calendar Year 2012
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 30
Source: Salem Police Department, Salem State University GIS Class Analysis
Community Assets and Resources
The Point neighborhood is home to public and private sector individuals, organizations, programs, and institutions that collectively form the
community assets needed to implement the Vision and Action Plan.
Figure 17: Point Neighborhood Community Assets
Point
Neighborhood
Vision
Safety + Security
•Organizations, city
departments and boards,
citizen groups
Neighborhood Pride +
Civic Engagement
•Organizations, city
departments and boards,
citizen groups, media,
service learning programs
Job Training +
Placement, Education
and Career Pathways
•Organizations, city
departments, businesses,
citizen groups
Environment, Open
Space, + Recreation
•Organizations, parks,
community spaces,
activities
Housing + Economic
Development
•Tenant groups, real estate
agents, city departments,
landlords, property
owners, organizations,
businesses
Infrastructure
•City departments,
transportation resources,
housing, parking
Chapter IV: Point Neighborhood Vision
The Point neighborhood is home to a strong, tight -knit community of
residents, students, and businesses and it is a welcoming neighborhood
where people from different cultures and different generations can meet,
connect, and build community. The City, the North Shore Community
Development Coalition, and other community partners are committed to
building upon the Point’s assets, including its history as a destination for
newer immigrants, and to advance an action agenda that maximizes
future opportunities for the people who live, work, study, and play here.
Safety and Security: The Point neighborhood is a safe and secure neighborhood for residents
and visitors alike.
The City of Salem, working with community partners and residents, is committed to strengthening
relationships with the police to create a neighborhood where everyone feels safe, welcome, and
respected. Existing resources include the OnPoint Teen Resource Center, which offers a safe
recreational alternative for youth involved with the Department of Youth Services and the Essex
County District Attorney’s Office, and it is administered by the Salem Police Department and the
Plummer Home for Boys, a Salem-based non-profit organization. The neighborhood is also served
by officer bike patrols.
Neighborhood Pride and Civic Engagement: Point neighborhood residents have pride in the
neighborhood and people of all ages have a role in improving and changing misconceptions
of the neighborhood and becoming involved in civic life.
The Point neighborhood is home to great people and organizations like the Point Neighborhood
Association, which meets monthly and connects residents of all ages with opportunities to advocate
for changes and resources that will improve the quality of life in the neighborhood. The City of
Salem and community partners are committed to strengthening relationships with neighborhood
organizations and working to dispel misconceptions about the Point by elevating the many assets
of the neighborhood and creating ways for Point residents to become more involved in civic life
through leadership development and better access to city resources.
Job Training, Job Placement, and Education and Career Pathways: The Point neighborhood
has resources and connections to public and private sector entities that enable residents of all
ages to connect to job opportunities and education and career development resources.
The Point neighborhood is home to a diversity of locally-owned stores and a large business park,
which attract people from near and far to restaurants and businesses. The Point has a “big city
feel, but not big city prices.” The City of Salem and community partners are committed to
strengthening relationships between residents, students, and businesses and creating education
and workforce development opportunities that build on assets that already exist in the
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 33
neighborhood and match the needs of the population in terms of providing training resources
targeted at increasing wages and earning potential.
Environment, Open Space, and Recreation: The Point neighborhood provides a variety of
quality recreational options for people of all ages.
The Point neighborhood includes the Salem Harborwalk entrance and is home to several parks
including the Palmer Cove Park and community gardens, the Peabody Street Waterfront Park
and Mary Jane Lee Park at the heart of the neighborhood. The Point also provides multiple
recreational options for people of all ages, including parks, access to the waterfront, and
restaurants. The Point is home to the OnPoint Teen Resource Center, which offers a safe
recreational alternative for neighborhood youth. Organizations in the Point also provide spaces
for people to take classes and meet others. The City of Salem and community partners are
committed to making improvements that enhance the quality of public spaces, parks, and
playgrounds in the Point, enhancing the resources that already exist so people who live and play
in the Point can fully enjoy these resources, and supporting the creation of more opportunities for
people of all ages to engage in athletic, educational, and creative activities in the neighborhood.
Housing and Economic Development: Point neighborhood residents have access to both
affordable rental and ownership opportunities in the neighborhood that meets their needs
and stage in life, housing stock is compliant with applicable codes and standards, and the
neighborhood has different recreational options that appeal to residents of all ages.
The Point neighborhood is home to the largest stock of affordable rental housing in Salem and
diverse amenities for residents and visitors alike. The City of Salem and community partners are
committed to enforcing regulations pertaining to housing quality and public health, connecting
residents with existing housing resources, and securing new resources that will improve the
diversity and quality of housing available for rent and for ownership as well as improving the
diversity of amenities available to people of all ages.
Infrastructure: The Point neighborhood offers residents and visitors a clean environment and
safe options for getting to where they need to go – whether it is by foot, by wheelchair, by
stroller, by bike, by bus, or by car.
The Point neighborhood has good access to transportation resources and is well served by bus
routes and recent improvements including bike lanes. The City of Salem and community partners
are committed to making infrastructure improvements that improve the quality of infrastructure in
the Point, improving the cleanliness of the streets and the experience for people who use various
modes of transit, including those who walk and bike to where they need to go. Improvements in
sidewalks and lighting will also enhance safety and security.
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 34
Chapter V: Point Neighborhood Action Plan
This chapter outlines specific actions the City of Salem and community partners will pursue to
implement the six elements of the Salem Point Neighborhood Vision during 2013 – 2020.
An Action Plan Matrix provided in the next chapter summarizes the partners involved in
advancing each action and the timeframe to commence work on each action.
Vision Element #1: Safety and Security
The Point neighborhood is a safe and secure neighborhood for residents and visitors alike.
Goal: Community partners and residents will strengthen relationships between the police and local
residents to create a neighborhood where everyone feels safe, welcome, and respected.
Actions:
1. Support better communication between Salem Police Department and the Point
neighborhood and increase public safety investments in the neighborhood. Work
toward the inclusion of at least one bilingual police officer in the Community Impact Unit
and assign bilingual police officer(s) for bike patrols in the Point to the degree feasible.
Increase bike patrols in the neighborhood subject to CDBG funding availability. Outline
schedule for regular communication between Salem Police Department and Neighborhood
Watch group through PNA monthly meetings.
2. Improve lighting, signs, sidewalks, and camera surveillance to make the bike and
pedestrian experience safer at all hours. Ensure pedestrian-scale lighting is installed at
areas of the neighborhood with low visibility at night and ensure signage is placed at key
intersections to ensure that vehicles stop and/or observe speeds. Monitor low tree
branches on key streets like Palmer Street to ensure safer pedestrian experience. North
Shore CDC will install video surveillance cameras at strategically identified properties.
Department of Public Works staff will attend one Point Neighborhood Association meeting
annually to provide a status update on issues logged and the timeframe for planned
improvements. Focus on sidewalk improvements in identified hotspots: Harbor Street
(between Congress and Lafayette streets) and Palmer Street (between Congress and
Lafayette streets).
3. Reactivate the Salem Problem Properties Task Force. Assign a staff person from the City
of Salem Planning and Community Development Department as the coordinator of the
Task Force so a central city contact is accessible to the neighborhood. Expand the
composition of the Task Force to include municipal department heads and key community
stakeholders. Charge the Task Force with ensuring city inspection of problem properties
and establishing a goal of bringing code violations in the Point in line with or below the
city average for code violations. Include members of the Salem Point Working Group on
the Task Force.
Start a neighborhood crime prevention/community policing group and strengthen
communications between Point Neighborhood Association and Salem Building
Inspections. Work with the PNA to create a Neighborhood Watch group that will monitor
safety in public places and document illicit activity. Salem Police Department will offer
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 35
training to all residents serving in street captains roles. Use the PNA network as an avenue for
residents to confidentially or openly report needed improvements to ensure public safety, e.g.,
areas in need of pedestrian-scale street lights, damaged signs, adding signage to promote
safety and reduce vehicle speeding and stops at key intersections, and fixing hanging
electrical wires.
Please see Appendix E for a list of suggested safety issues and improvements emerging from the
May 13th Action Planning Workshop.
Vision Element #2: Neighborhood Pride and Civic Engagement
Point neighborhood residents have pride in the neighborhood and people of all ages have a role
in improving and changing misconceptions of the neighborhood and becoming involved in civic
life.
Goal: Community partners will strengthen relationships with neighborhood organizations and work
to dispel misconceptions about the Point by elevating the many assets of the neighborhood and
creating ways for Point residents to become more involved in civic life through leadership
development and better access to city resources.
Actions:
1. Develop leaders in the Point by offering leadership training for residents. Community
partners including the Latino Leadership Coalition and North Shore CDC will organize
training opportunities for residents modeled after the Mel King Institute training model for
community developers.
2. Increase voting and civic participation in the Point. Increase voter turnout in the Point.
Community partners including the North Shore CDC and the Latino Leadership Coalition
will work to increase civic engagement and voter turnout in tandem with leadership
training efforts. To increase access to city resources, partners will host “welcome” events or
programs in the Point to connect newcomers and existing residents to city and non-profit
resources and information. “Welcome” events may be hosted by community-based
organizations and schools located in the Point neighborhood. Events will provide access to
resources and information such as health screenings and on the spot business license
renewals. These events will be coordinated by the City of Salem Latino Affairs
Coordinator in cooperation with community partners such as Migrant Advocacy and North
Shore CDC.
3. Adopt City of Salem language access policy to ensure immigrant access to city
services. The city will adopt a language access policy that will help ensure that
immigrants are able to access critical services and information in the most common ly-
spoken languages. This policy would guide the development of customized language
access plans for departments and agencies that interact with residents. A priority is
ensuring multi-lingual ballot accessibility at all of Salem’s polling locations. The City will
also create and maintain a list of languages spoken by staff so the city is able to
accommodate basic interpretation needs to ensure that residents with Limited English
Proficiency can access city services. The City of Salem will also investigate procurement of
an on-demand, over the phone interpretation service that gives businesses and
government agencies access to interpretation at every municipal access point for residents.
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 36
4. Promote a vibrant and welcoming Point neighborhood to residents and visitors by
improving signs, landscaping, and public art to make the Point a more welcoming
place. Improve signage and landscaping at key thoroughfares including Congress and
Lafayette streets and install other special markers that symbolize arrival in the Point.
Replace historic placard about the Point neighborhood with a new sign. Install bulletin
boards for neighborhood news in the sides of new recycle bins that will be maintained by
Point Neighborhood Association and the City of Salem. Implement the Salem Public Art
Master Plan recommendations for the Point neighborhood.
5. Create a City of Salem Diversity Task Force. Responsibilities of the Task Force can
include developing a municipal affirmative action policy and organizing annual events
that create positive programming in the Point neighborhood.
6. Market the assets of the Point to Salem residents, visitors, and tourists. Work with
Destination Salem, Essex County National Heritage Commission and Historic Salem, Inc. to
promote the assets of the Point to visitors. Partners will develop a marketing strategy to
promote assets in the Point neighborhoods to other Salem residents, visitors from
elsewhere in the North Shore, and tourists and consider instituting art and architecture
walking tours.
Vision Element #3: Job Training, Job Placement, and Education and Career
Pathways
The Point neighborhood has resources and connections to public and private sector entities that
enable residents of all ages to connect to job opportunities, education and career development
resources.
Goal: Community partners will pursue activities to strengthen relationships among residents,
students, and businesses and foster education and workforce development opportunities that build
on assets that already exist in the neighborhood.
Actions:
1. Survey Point resident job skills and interests to guide planning of future job training
and placement programs. The City of Salem and community partners including the North
Shore Workforce Investment Board will conduct a sample survey of Point residents to
inventory skills, qualifications, and interests. This information will guide planning of
workforce development connections between residents and major educational institutions
and nonprofit organizations like Salem State University and Salem Cyberspace and local
employers.
2. Work with community partners to hold career exploration workshops in the Point for
young people and adults of all ages. Work with area colleges and the North Shore
Workforce Investment Board to organize workshops with meeting formats and materials
adapted to ensure that they are accessible to residents with different levels of English
proficiency. Workshops may include reviews of career options and how to become self-
employed in fields in demand such as childcare.
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 37
3. Work with businesses and colleges to pursue workforce partnerships that enhance the
variety of local employers and promote the hiring of Point residents in local
businesses. The North Shore CDC will convene institutions in and around the Point
including businesses, the North Shore Adult Education Partnership, the Salem Chamber of
Commerce, and Salem State University for a symposium to discuss results from the
inventory of Point resident skills, qualifications, and interests. The symposium will discuss
opportunities for strengthening the education and workforce pipeline for residents in the
Point so area businesses can have a larger pool of talent, enabling them to hire local.
4. Implement a small business education series in Spanish and English for current and
aspiring Point business owners. The City of Salem will work with the Salem Chamber of
Commerce, the North Shore Latino Business Coalition, and other community partners
including the Enterprise Center at Salem State University to pilot biannual workshops in the
Point neighborhood on business education topics like finance and marketing.
Vision Element #4: Environment, Open Space, and Recreation
The Point neighborhood provides a variety of quality recreational options for people of all ages.
Goal: The City of Salem and community partners will make improvements that enhance the quality
of public spaces, parks, and playgrounds in the Point – enhancing the resources that already exist
so people who live and play in the Point can fully enjoy these resources, and supporting the
creation of more opportunities for people of all ages to engage in athletic, educational, and
creative activities in the neighborhood.
Actions:
1. Improve parks, open spaces, natural resources by making small and large
improvements like planting trees, fixing benches, and installing lights. The City of
Salem will continue to implement Open Space and Recreation Plan actions in the Point and
include improvements identified through the vision and action planning process. This
includes creating revitalization plans for Mary Jane Lee Park and Palmer Cove Park and
implementing improvements in Lafayette Park. The City will also accept 15 Ward Street
and maintain it as public green space and explore a planning process to revitalize the lot
at 38 Palmer Street in partnership with the North Shore CDC.
The City will work with partners including the Point Neighborhood Association and the
Salem Public Spaces Project to stay up to date on emerging needs related to open
spaces, natural resources, and recreational opportunities. Partners will document and
implement small and large-scale improvements annually. Opportunities to explore include
better neighborhood access to the waterfront behind Shetland Park, fixing benches,
replacing sand in parks, and planting trees in strategic areas in the neighborhood.
Improvements will aim to serve the needs of diverse users including youth, elders,
immigrants, and single and young adults. Residents and university students will also be
engaged through service-learning projects.
2. Organize more activities in parks and open spaces to expand knowledge of and
access to natural resources in the Point. Program more activities in the parks, e.g., games
by the Latino Baseball League, an annual block party, a farmer’s market, and an
expanded Youth Get to the Point Day neighborhood cleanup. Highlight the resources of
the neighborhood including the waterfront access and community gardens. Work with
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 38
community partners including Salem Sound Coastwatch, Salem Community Gardens, the
Department of Planning and Community Development, the Parks and Recreation
Department, and community-based organizations and community banks in the
neighborhood. The City of Salem will also place preference on hiring Point neighborhood
youth for summer park programs.
3. Create a resource center/community center. The City of Salem and community partners
will consider the suitability of sites in the neighborhood with redevelopment potential to
include a community center that can be used by residents of all ages including young
people and seniors. The City of Salem and community partners will work together to
investigate funding sources to enable construction and programming in the space, tapping
existing programmatic resources in the Point. The City of Salem will also continue to
support city and nonprofit program partnerships like the OnPoint Teen Resource Center,
which is supported by the Community Impact Unit using Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) funds. The North Shore CDC will also expand its community room space to
accommodate larger Point neighborhood community meetings.
Please see Appendix F for a list of suggested improvements pertaining to environment and open
space emerging from the May 13th Action Planning Workshop.
Vision Element #5: Housing and Economic Development
Point neighborhood residents have access to both affordable rental and ownership opportunities
in the neighborhood that meets their needs and stage in life, housing stock is compliant with
applicable codes and standards, and the neighborhood has different recreational options that
appeal to residents of all ages.
Goal: The City of Salem and community partners including the Salem Problem Properties Task
Force will enforce regulations pertaining to housing quality and public health, connect residents
with existing housing resources, and help secure new resources that will improve the diversity and
quality of housing available for rent and for ownership in the Point.
Actions:
1. Assess resident needs in rental and homeownership opportunities to inform city
housing investments and education opportunities in English and Spanish. The City of
Salem will work with community partners including the Salem Landlord Association and the
Point Neighborhood Association to hold focus group meetings with residents to better
understand housing needs. Focus groups will include residents interested in homeownership,
first-time homebuyers, seniors, and individuals in protected classes including low-income
households and people with disabilities. Collected information will inform the city’s housing
planning in the Point and guide the provision of housing workshops on topics like fair
housing law, tenant and landlord rights. Workshops may be led by outside groups with
expertise in these topic areas.
2. Identify areas of the Point with redevelopment potential and prioritize CDBG funding
and City Housing Rehabilitation funds. Expand commercial investment opportunities by
developing a Congress Street corridor revitalization plan. Develop an inventory of
underutilized parcels in the Point, conduct site assessments, and invite public input through
the Point Neighborhood Association regarding reuse potential and any constraints that
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 39
would limit redevelopment. The Salem Problem Properties Task Force will meet quarterly
to target code enforcement of blighted properties. Work with community partners such as
North Shore CDC, via their YouthBuild-North Shore program, to offer reduced cost
rehabilitation to landlords to bring cited properties up to code. Funding toward the
rehabilitation of CDC-owned properties is committed for FY14.
3. Make information about affordable rental and ownership opportunities and housing
resources readily accessible to residents within and outside of the Point and available
in Spanish. Create accessible materials and communication methods and market
available rental and ownership units to residents in neighborhood who meet income
eligibility requirements. The City will pursue partnerships with nonprofits in the
neighborhood to ensure that housing opportunities are accessible to residents in the
neighborhood, such as home rehabilitation loans and fuel assistance for qualified
homeowners.
4. Support development that includes a mix of housing, business, and offices uses in the
Point and housing that is affordable to different incomes. Work with public and private
developers to promote property reuse and redevelopment that is consistent with goals to
provide affordable housing to people of different incomes and with respect to historic
assets. The North Shore CDC will identify, purchase, and rehabilitate critical, blighted
properties. Community partners will encourage and advocate that new developments in
other parts of the City of Salem include on-site affordable housing units to off-set the
disproportionate presence of affordable housing in the Point neighborhood while still
meeting the housing needs of the community.
5. Support designation of the Point neighborhood as a place on the National Register of
Historic Places. Explore the opportunity to have the Point neighborhood listed on the
National Register of Historic Places to both recognize the Point’s contribution to Salem’s
history as well as to qualify the neighborhood for investment via state and federal historic
tax credits.
6. Pursue economic development planning in key commercial corridors in the Point
neighborhood. Activate the lower Lafayette Street and Congress Street commercial
corridors by promoting tourism, economic activity and inclusivity with the booming
downtown economy. The City of Salem will capture resident interests in uses like clothing
shops, cafes and cultural venues with live music and take them into account when
undertaking economic development planning and determining plans for city-owned
property in the Point. This could include a satellite Salem Farmer’s Market location in the
Point neighborhood, bringing the 'red line' guiding tourists into the Point to highlight the
historic architecture, immigrant history and waterfront, promoting walking tours of the
Point neighborhood, and expanding the Salem Main Streets program to include a focus on
Lower Lafayette (also known as LOLA) to bridge downtown Salem and the Point.
Vision Element #6: Infrastructure
The Point neighborhood offers residents and visitors a clean environment and safe options for
getting to where they need to go – whether it is by foot, by wheelchair, by stroller, by bike, by
bus, or by car.
Goal: The City of Salem and community partners are committed to making infrastructure
improvements that improve the quality of infrastructure in the Point, improving the cleanliness of
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 40
the streets and the experience for people who use various modes of transit, and making
improvements that enhance safety and security.
Actions:
1. Improve trash and recycling resources. Install solar compactors and recycling bins on
every block alongside trash bins. Address trash issues in the parks by providing sturdy,
secure lidded trash barrels and recycling bins in the parks and empty them on a timely
basis. Reach the goal of installing ten (10) new trash barrels throughout the neighborhood.
Expand trash pick-up to twice per week and street sweeping schedule to four times per
year in the Point in light of the neighborhood’s population density and documented litter
problems. Should a City Council decision on recycling be approved, the City of Salem and
community partners will prioritize implementation of solar compactors and recycling bins in
the Point neighborhood and undertake a recycling education campaign in the
neighborhood once bins are installed. Ensure implementation by hiring a recycling
coordinator for the City.
2. Implement infrastructure improvements in main commercial corridors in the Point
neighborhood: lower Lafayette Street and Congress Street. Promote investment, tourism
and economic vitality by carrying the historic character of downtown Salem up into the
Point neighborhood by installing bricked sidewalks, historic acorn lighting, improved
curbing and landscaping. Repave streets and sidewalks identified as priority needs in the
V & A Plan. Focus on improving key areas including Peabody, Congress, and Lafayette
streets.
3. Invest resources in improving building structure facades and historic corridors in the
neighborhood. Continue to implement the City of Salem Storefront Improvement Program
and adapt publicity materials so they are accessible to business owners who may have
limited English proficiency. Focus investments in the Lower Lafayette and Congress Street
corridors and in parcels flagged in the 2013 Salem Point Neighborhood Parcel Conditions
Survey. Address hanging wires and façade conditions at utility substation. North Shore
CDC will partner with Historic Salem, Inc. to identify key historic buildings in the Point with
appropriate historical markers beginning in 2014.
4. Update City of Salem five-year Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) plan to
reflect improvements documented through the vision and action planning process.
Engage the Point community in the CDBG five-year action planning process.
5. Evaluate staffing needs of Building Inspection and Health departments to ensure code
enforcement standards are met and consider adoption of code enforcement ordinance.
Develop city strategy and communications plan to reach Salem landlords and absentee
landlords on code violations and building condition issues noted during the 2013 Salem
Point Neighborhood Parcel Conditions Survey. Consider adoption of ordinance requiring
landlords to register with the city and mandating periodic inspections of problem
properties in the Point Consider adoption of a code enforcement ordinance.
Please see Appendix G for a list of suggested infrastructure improvements emerging from the
May 13th Action Planning Workshop.
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 41
Chapter VI: Point Neighborhood Vision and
Action Plan Matrix
Lead partners for each action item in the matrix are highlighted in bold.
The following list of acronyms is used to abbreviate the names of project partners.
Boys and Girls Club of Salem (BGC of Salem)
Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston (FHCGB)
Friends of Essex National Heritage Commission (Friends of ENHC)
Friends of Mary Jane Lee Park (Friends of MJL Park)
Latino Leadership Coalition (LLC)
National Park Service – Maritime Site (NPS)
Point Neighborhood Association (PNA)
North Shore Business Association (North Shore BA)
North Shore Community Development Coalition (North Shore CDC)
North Shore Community Health Center (North Shore CHC)
North Shore Workforce Investment Board and Career Center (North Shore WIB and CC)
Salem Chamber of Commerce (Salem COC)
Salem Community Gardens (SCG)
Salem Council on Aging (Salem COA)
Salem Department of Planning and Community Development (Salem DPCD)
Salem Department of Public Services (Salem DPS)
Salem Engineering Department (Salem ED)
Salem Building Inspections Department (Salem BID)
Salem Health Department (Salem HD)
Salem Salem Parks, Recreation & Community Services (Salem PRCS)
Salem Police Department (Salem PD)
Salem Problem Properties Task Force (Salem PPTF)
Salem Mayor’s Office (Salem MO)
Salem Sound Coastwatch (SSC)
Salem State University (SSU)
Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA)
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 42
Table 9: Salem Point Neighborhood Action Plan Matrix, 2013-2017
Tasks with an asterisk (*) were voted as high priorities for implementation at the May 13th Action Planning Workshop.
Safety/Security Vision: The Point neighborhood is a safe and secure neighborhood for residents and visitors alike.
Activity Partners
1-2
years
2013-
2015
3-4
years
2015-
2018
5 -7
years
2018-
2020
Support better communication between Salem Police
Department and the Point neighborhood and increase
public safety investments in the neighborhood.
Salem PD
PNA
x
Improve lighting, signs, and sidewalks, and camera
surveillance to make the bike and pedestrian experience
safer at all hours.*
Salem DPS
Salem PD
North Shore CDC
PNA
x x x
Reactivate the Salem Problem Properties Task Force. Salem MO
North Shore CDC
x
Start a neighborhood crime prevention/community policing
group and strengthen communications between Point
Neighborhood Association and Salem Building Inspections.*
Salem PD
Salem MO
Salem PPTF
PNA
Businesses
x
Neighborhood Pride and Civic Engagement Vision: Point neighborhood residents have pride in the neighborhood and people of all ages
have a role in improving the neighborhood and changing misconceptions
Activity Partners
1-2
years
2013-
2015
3-4
years
2015-
2018
5 -7
years
2018-
2020
Develop leaders in the Point by offering leadership
training for residents *
North Shore CDC
LLC
x
Increase voting and civic participation in the Point. North Shore CDC
LLC
SSU
x
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 43
Host “welcome” events or programs in the Point to connect
newcomers and existing residents to city and non-profit
resources and information.
Salem MO
North Shore CDC
PNA
Salem PRCS
Salem COA
x
Adopt City of Salem language access policy to guide
changes to ensure immigrant access to city services. *
Salem MO
LLC
PNA
North Shore CDC
x
Promote a vibrant Point neighborhood to residents and
visitors by improving signs, landscaping, and public art to
make the Point a more welcoming place.
Salem DPS x
Create a City of Salem Diversity Task Force. Salem MO x
Market the assets of the Point to Salem residents, visitors,
and tourists.
North Shore CDC
Destination Salem
Historic Salem Inc.
Salem COC
x
Job Training, Job Placement, and Education and Career Pathways Vision: The Point neighborhood has resources and connections to
public and private sector entities that enable residents of all ages to connect to job opportunities, education and career development
resources.
Activity Partners
1-2
years
2013-
2015
3-4
years
2015-
2018
5 -7
years
2018-
2020
Survey Point resident job skills and interests to guide
planning of future job training and placement programs.
North Shore WIB/CC
Salem DPCD
North Shore CDC
x
Work with community partners to hold workshops on
careers for young people and adults of all ages. *
North Shore WIB/CC
North Shore CDC
PNA
Salem Cyberspace
x
Work with businesses and colleges to pursue workforce
partnerships that enhance the variety of local employers
North Shore WIB
Salem DPCD
x
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 44
and promote the hiring of Point residents in local
businesses. *
Salem COC
North Shore Latino Business Association
North Shore Adult Education Partnership
Salem State University and other
university partners
Implement a small business education series in Spanish and
English for current and aspiring Point business owners.
Enterprise Center at SSU/ Small
Business Development Center at SSU
North Shore WIB
North Shore BA
x
Environment, Open Space, Things to Do Vision: The Point neighborhood provides a variety of quality recreational options for people of
all ages.
Activity Partners
1-2
years
2013-
2015
3-4
years
2015-
2018
5 -7
years
2018-
2020
Improve parks, open spaces, natural resources by making
small and large improvements like planting trees, fixing
benches, and installing lights.
Salem DPCD
Salem P&R
Salem DPS
Salem Public Spaces Project
x x x
Organize more activities in parks and open spaces to
expand knowledge of and access to natural resources in
the Point.
Salem MO
Salem PRCS
Salem Public Spaces Project
BGC of Salem
YMCA
North Shore CDC
SCG
SSC
Friends of ENHC
Friends of MJL Park
House of Seven Gables
NPS
x
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 45
Create a Resource Center/Community Center * North Shore CDC
North Shore CHC
Salem DPCD
PNA
Salem MO
x
Housing and Economic Development Vision: Point neighborhood residents have access to both affordable rental and ownership
opportunities in the neighborhood that meets their needs and stage in life, housing stock is compliant with applicable codes and standards,
and the neighborhood has different recreational options that appeal to residents of all ages.
Activity Partners
1-2
years
2013-
2015
3-4
years
2015-
2018
5 -7
years
2018-
2020
Assess resident needs in rental and homeownership
opportunities to inform city housing investments and
education opportunities in English and Spanish. *
North Shore CDC
FHCGB
The Homebuying Mentors
Salem DPCD
x x x
Identify areas of the Point with redevelopment potential
and prioritize CDBG funding and City Housing
Rehabilitation funds
Salem DPCD
North Shore CDC
Salem PPTF
x x x
Make information about affordable rental and ownership
opportunities and housing resources readily accessible to
residents within and outside of the Point and available in
Spanish.
Salem DPCD
North Shore CDC
Salem Landlords’ Association
x x x
Support development that includes a mix of housing,
business, and offices uses in the Point and housing that is
affordable to different incomes. *
Salem DPCD
North Shore CDC
Salem Housing Authority
x x x
Support designation of the Point neighborhood as a place
on the National Register of Historic Places.
North Shore CDC
Salem DPCD
x x x
Pursue economic development planning in key commercial
corridors in the Point neighborhood.
Salem DPCD x x
Infrastructure Vision: The Point neighborhood offers residents and visitors a clean environment and safe options for getting to where they
need to go – whether it is by foot, by bike, or by car.
Activity Partners 1-2 3-4 5 -7
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 46
years
2013-
2015
years
2015-
2018
years
2018-
2020
Improve trash and recycling resources. * Salem MO
Salem DPS
Salem ED
Salem Landlords’ Association
PNA
x x x
Implement infrastructure improvements in main commercial
corridors in the Point neighborhood: lower Lafayette Street
and Congress Street.
Salem DPCD
Salem DPS
Invest resources in improving building structure facades
and historic corridors in the neighborhood.
Salem DPCD
North Shore CDC
Historic Salem, Inc.
x x
Update City of Salem five-year Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) plan to reflect improvements
documented through the vision and action planning
process.
Salem DPCD
x
Evaluate staffing needs of Building Inspection and Health
departments to ensure code enforcement standards are
met and consider adoption of code enforcement
ordinance.
Salem MO
Salem PPTF
Salem City Council
Salem BID
Salem HD
x
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 47
Table 10: Salem Point Neighborhood Action Plan Matrix by Partners
Organizations highlighted in yellow are designated as lead organizations for each action item.
Safety/Security Vision: The Point neighborhood is a safe and secure neighborhood for residents and visitors alike.
North Shore
Community
Development
Coalition
Point
Neighborhood
Association
Latino
Leadership
Coalition
City of Salem Other Partners
Support better communication
between Salem Police Department
and the Point neighborhood and
increase public safety investments in
the neighborhood.
x
Police
Department
Improve lighting, signs, and sidewalks,
and camera surveillance to make the
bike and pedestrian experience safer
at all hours.*
x x
Department of
Public Services
Police
Department
Reactivate the Salem Problem
Properties Task Force. x Mayor’s Office
Start a neighborhood crime
prevention/community policing group
and strengthen communications
between Point Neighborhood
Association and Salem Building
Inspections.*
x
Mayor’s Office
Police
Department
Problem
Properties Task
Force
Businesses
Neighborhood Pride and Civic Engagement Vision: Point neighborhood residents have pride in the neighborhood and people of all ages have a role in
improving the neighborhood and changing misconceptions.
North Shore
Community
Development
Coalition
Point
Neighborhood
Association
Latino
Leadership
Coalition
City of Salem Other Partners
Develop leaders in the Point by
offering leadership training for
residents*
x x
Increase voting and civic participation
in the Point. x x Salem State University
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 48
Host “welcome” events or programs in
the Point to connect newcomers and
existing residents to city and non-
profit resources and information.
x x
Mayor’s Office
Salem PRCS
Adopt City of Salem language access
policy to guide changes to ensure
immigrant access to city services.*
x x x
Mayor’s Office
Promote a vibrant Point neighborhood
to residents and visitors by improving
signs, landscaping, and public art to
make the Point a more welcoming
place.
Department of
Public Services
Create a City of Salem Diversity Task
Force.
Mayor’s Office
Market the assets of the Point to
Salem residents, visitors, and tourists. x
Destination Salem
Historic Salem Inc.
Salem Chamber of
Commerce
Housing and Economic Development Vision: Point neighborhood residents have access to both affordable rental and ownership opportunities in the
neighborhood that meets their needs and stage in life, housing stock is compliant with applicable codes and standards, and the neighborhood has different
recreational options that appeal to residents of all ages.
North Shore
Community
Development
Coalition
Point
Neighborhood
Association
Latino
Leadership
Coalition
City of Salem Other Partners
Survey Point resident job skills and
interest to guide planning of future job
training and placement programs.
x Department of
Planning and
Community
Development
North Shore WIB/CC
Work with community partners to hold
workshops on careers for young
people and adult of all ages.*
x x North Shore WIB/CC
Salem Cyberspace
Work with businesses and colleges to
pursue workforce partnerships that
enhance the variety of local
employers and promote the hiring of
Department of
Planning and
Community
Development
North Shore WIB
North Shore Adult
Education Partnership
North Shore Latino
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 49
Point residents in local businesses* Business Assoc.
Salem Chamber of
Commerce
Salem State University
and other University
Partners.
Implement a small business education
series in Spanish and English for
current and aspiring Point business
owners.
North Shore WIB
Destination Salem
North Shore BA
Small Business
Development Center at
SSU
Environment, Open Space, Things to Do Vision: The Point neighborhood provides a variety of quality recreational options for people of all ages.
North Shore
Community
Development
Coalition
Point
Neighborhood
Association
Latino
Leadership
Coalition
City of Salem Other Partners
Improve parks, open spaces, natural
resources by making small and large
improvements like planting trees,
fixing benches, and installing lights.
Department of
Planning and
Community
Development
Department of
Public Services
Parks,
Recreation, and
Community
Services
Salem Public Spaces
Project
Organize more activities in parks and
open spaces to expand knowledge of
and access to natural resources in the
Point.
x
Mayor’s Office
Parks,
Recreation, and
Community
Services
Boy’s and Girl’s Club of
Salem
Friends of MJL Park
House of Seven Gables
National Park Service
Salem Public Spaces
Project
Salem Community
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 50
Gardens
SSC
YMCA
Create a Resource Center/Community
Center* x x
Department of
Planning and
Community
Development
Mayor’s Office
North Shore Community
Health Center
Infrastructure Vision: The Point neighborhood offers residents and visitors a clean environment and safe options for getting to where they need to go-
whether it is by foot, by bike, or by car.
Improve trash and recycling resources
x Mayor’s Office
Department of
Public Services
Engineering
Department
Salem Housing
Authority
Implement infrastructure improvements
in main commercial corridors in the
Pint neighborhood: lower Lafayette
Street and Congress Street.
Department of
Planning and
Community
Development
Invest resources in improving building
structure facades and historic corridors
in the neighborhood.
x Department of
Planning and
Community
Development
Historic Salem Inc.
Update City of Salem five-year
Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) plan to reflect improvements
documented through the vision and
action planning process.
Department of
Planning and
Community
Development
Evaluate staffing needs of Building
Inspection and Health Departments to
ensure code enforcement standards
are met and consider adoption of
code enforcement ordinance.
Mayor’s Office
Problem
Properties Task
Force
Health
Department
Salem BID
Salem City Council
Action Plan Oversight and Implementation
The City of Salem and community partners will endorse the Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and
Action Plan by creating and signing a Compact. The Compact will be signed by the mayor of
Salem and the community partners who will have a role in implementing the plan over a seven-
year timeframe from 2013 – 2020.
The Compact will:
Endorse the Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan
Outline the establishment of a Salem Point Neighborhood Working Group that will meet
biannually during the timeframe for the implementation of this action plan – 2013 – 2020
Outline the City’s commitment to maintaining the Vision and Action Plan as a guide for use
in making decisions affecting future growth and development in the Point and to including
updates on the status of the Plan’s implementation in the Annual City Report
The Salem Point Neighborhood Working Group will consist of all partners tasked with helping the
City advance action items outlined in the plan. The goal of each meeting will be to discuss
successes and emerging barriers and to troubleshoot challenges to ensure continued advancement
of actions. City of Salem planning staff will schedule all working group meetings and the Mayor
of Salem will be invited to attend each meeting. In between working group meetings, the City of
Salem will maintain communication with the Point Neighborhood Association (PNA) so that updates
can be shared at monthly PNA meetings.
Working Group Members:
Mayor of Salem
City of Salem Planning and Community Development Director
Salem Police Department Representative
Salem Citizen’s Advisory Council Representative
Salem Neighborhood Improvement Advisory Council Representative
North Shore Community Development Coalition
Point Neighborhood Association
Salem Landlord’s Association
Salem State University
Salem Chamber of Commerce
North Shore Latino Business Association
North Shore Workforce Investment Board
Latino Leadership Coalition
Salem Community Health Center
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 52
Appendix A: Community Engagement Materials:
Agendas + Participant Demographics
Focus Group Participant Worksheet + Discussion Topics
Please take a few minutes to complete the following:
Part I: Visioning Exercise
Share your name:
_______________________________________________________________
Finish these statements:
My hope for the Point neighborhood is ________________________________________
My hope for my family is __________________________________________________
Part II: Discussion (Facilitator will assign a topic area to focus on)
1. Name two (2) things you like best about the Point:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. Name one (1) thing you would like to change about the Point:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
a. Why does this exist? _________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
b. What is standing in the way of change?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. Write your ideas for a solution:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 53
Salem Point Neighborhood Visioning Workshop
Thursday, March 7, 2013, 6:30 – 9:00 pm
Immaculate Conception Church
15 Hawthorne Boulevard, Salem, MA 01970
Objective: To obtain input for people who live, work, go to school in, and play in the Point on
neighborhood strengths and challenges, as well as opportunities and improvements they would
like to see
Desired Outcomes: By the end of this meeting, we will have input on opportunities and
improvements people would like to see made in the neighborhood; this will inform how we
structure the May action planning workshop
Time Agenda
6:30 – 6:50 pm Dinner and refreshments
6:50 – 7:00 pm Welcome and Overview
7:00 – 7:10 pm Keypads – Who’s in the room?
7:10 – 7:30 pm Community Involvement: Report-Outs
Focus groups
“What’s the Point?” Community PlanIt game report-out
7:30 – 8:15 pm
Table Discussions (up to 8)
8:15 – 8:35 pm Table Discussion Report-Outs
8:35 – 8:50 pm Awards
8:50 pm Keypad exit polling
9:00 pm Next Steps
Thursday, May 15, 6:30 – 9:00 pm: Action-Planning
Workshop
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 54
Salem Point Neighborhood Visioning Workshop
Meeting Participant Keypad Polling Results
Note: Over 50 people attended the visioning workshop, however not everyone participated in
keypad polling.
1.) What is your favorite food? (multiple choice)
Responses
(percent) (count)
Pastelitos 26.67% 12
Burgers and fries 8.89% 4
Rice and beans 26.67% 12
Frozen Yogurt 22.22% 10
Other 15.56% 7
Totals 100% 45
2.) How did you hear about this meeting? (multiple choice)
Responses
(percent) (count)
From a friend 11.90% 5
At a previous meeting organized by NSCDC 35.71% 15
In a newspaper 4.76% 2
In church 2.38% 1
Saw a flyer 0% 0
Other 45.24% 19
Totals 100% 42
3.) How do you identify yourself? (multiple choice)
Responses
(percent) (count)
White 41.67% 20
Asian 0% 0
Black or African American 2.08% 1
Hispanic or Latino 37.50% 18
Multiracial 14.58% 7
Other 4.17% 2
Totals 100% 48
4.) What language do you speak at home? (multiple choice)
Responses
(percent) (count)
English 52.17% 24
Spanish 34.78% 16
Portuguese 0% 0
Chinese dialect 0% 0
Haitian Creole 4.35% 2
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 55
Other 8.70% 4
Totals 100% 46
5.) What is your age? (multiple choice)
Responses
(percent) (count)
0 - 19 19.57% 9
20 - 34 36.96% 17
35 - 44 13.04% 6
45 - 54 17.39% 8
55 – 64 8.70% 4
65 or more 4.35% 2
Totals 100% 46
6.) What is your annual household income? (multiple choice)
Responses
(percent) (count)
$0 - $19,999 16.67% 7
$20,000 - $34,999 14.29% 6
$35,000 - $54,999 14.29% 6
$55,000 - $84,999 21.43% 9
$85,000 - $139,999 16.67% 7
$140,000 or more 16.67% 7
Totals 100% 42
7.) Do you own a home or rent? (multiple choice)
Responses
(percent) (count)
I own a single family home 30.95% 13
I own a multi-family home (e.g., triple-
decker) 19.05% 8
I own a condominium or townhouse 11.90% 5
I rent my home or apartment 28.57% 12
Other (none) 9.52% 4
Totals 100% 42
8.) How long have you lived in the Point neighborhood? (multiple choice)
Responses
(percent) (count)
1 year or less 0% 0
2-5 years 6.52% 3
6-10 years 4.35% 2
More than 10 years 26.09% 12
Not applicable 63.04% 29
Totals 100% 46
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 56
9.) Did you play the “What’s the Point?” Community PlanIt game? (multiple choice)
Responses
(percent) (count)
Yes 62.16% 23
No 37.84% 14
Totals 100% 37
10.) How well do you think the city government of Salem is doing to meet the needs of people
who live in the Point? (multiple choice)
Responses
(percent) (count)
Very Good 0% 0
OK 14.29% 6
Needs Improvement 50% 21
Poor 16.67% 7
Don’t Know 19.05% 8
Totals 100% 42
11.) If the city were to invest more resources into the Point for businesses and jobs, which do you
think they should prioritize? (multiple choice)
Responses
(percent) (count)
Business expansion loans 5% 2
Commercial business rehabilitation 7.50% 3
Job creation 30% 12
Job training and placement 57.50% 23
Totals 100% 40
12.) Some people believe housing quality is an issue in the Point. What do you think the housing
development funding priorities should be in the Point? Check all that apply. (multiple choice)
Responses
(percent) (count)
More affordable rental housing 26.32% 10
More affordable home ownership 34.21% 13
Assistance to rehabilitate homes 13.16% 5
Energy efficiency improvements 10.53% 4
Mitigating lead-based paint hazard 2.63% 1
Historic preservation 2.63% 1
Assistance with rent 10.53% 4
Totals 100% 38
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 57
13.) How would you rate the quality of the natural environment (open spaces, trees, parks) in the
neighborhood? (multiple choice)
Responses
(percent) (count)
Great 0% 0
Very good 7.50% 3
Needs improvement 50% 20
Poor 32.50% 13
Don’t know – don’t live in the
neighborhood 10% 4
Totals 100% 40
14.) Which group is your top choice for the fourth community cause to receive $100? (multiple
choice)
Responses
(percent) (count)
Salem Educational Foundation (Noticias en
Espanol) 15.91% 7
North Shore Community Development
Coalition (Point Recycles and Community
Mural Project)
43.18% 19
Give Out Loud (Point Beautification and
Youth Involvement) 40.91% 18
Totals 100% 44
15.) How well did the meeting meet your expectations? (multiple choice)
Responses
(percent) (count)
Very well 55.81% 24
Good 41.86% 18
Okay 0% 0
So-so 2.33% 1
Not well at all 0% 0
Totals 100% 43
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 58
Salem Point Action Planning Workshop
Monday, May 13, 2013, 6:00 – 8:15 pm
Salem Academy Charter School Cafeteria
49 Congress Street, Salem, MA, 01970
Objective: To obtain input from people who live, work, go to school in, and play in the
Point neighborhood on suggested topics and related action items to be included in the
neighborhood action plan.
Desired Outcomes: By the end of this meeting, we will have input on the topics and
related action items to be included in the neighborhood action plan
Time Agenda
6:00 – 6:30 pm Dinner
6:30 – 6:35 pm Welcome and Overview
6:35 – 6:40 pm Activity – Who’s in the room?
6:40 – 6:45 pm Action Plan Overview
6:45 – 7:45 pm Table Discussions
Choose Two Topics
7:45 – 7:55 pm Questions & Answers
7:55 – 8:10 pm Action Plan Preferences Activity
8:10 – 8:15 pm Next Steps
Action plan draft available for public review in June
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 59
Salem Point Neighborhood Action Planning Workshop
Meeting Participant Keypad Polling Results
Note: Over 40 people attended the action planning workshop, however not everyone
participated in keypad polling. Towards the latter half of the meeting, participants were asked to
pick their top two priorities under each of the action plan topics. Highlighted actions were the top
voted priorities under each action plan topic.
1.) What is your favorite food? (multiple choice) Responses
Pastelitos 5 15.62%
Burgers and fries 2 6.25%
Rice and beans 9 28.12%
Frozen Yogurt 3 9.38%
Other 13 40.62%
Totals
32 100%
2.) How did you hear about this meeting? (multiple choice)
Responses
From a friend 5 17.86%
At a previous meeting organized by NSCDC 12 42.86%
In a newspaper 0 0%
In church 2 7.14%
Saw a flyer 1 3.57%
Other 8 28.57%
Totals
28 100%
3.) How do you identify yourself? (multiple choice) Responses
White 16 47.06%
Asian 1 2.94%
Black or African American 2 5.88%
Hispanic or Latino 11 32.35%
Multiracial 0 0%
Other 4 11.76%
Totals
34 100%
4.) What language do you speak at home? (multiple choice)
Responses
English 24 66.67%
Spanish 8 22.22%
Portuguese 1 2.78%
Chinese dialect 2 5.56%
Haitian Creole 0 0%
Other 1 2.78%
Totals
36 100%
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 60
5.) What is your age? (multiple choice) Responses
0 - 19 0 0%
20 - 29 8 23.53%
30 - 39 10 29.41%
40 - 49 7 20.59%
50 – 59 6 17.65%
60 or better 3 8.82%
Totals
34 100%
6.) What is your annual household income? (multiple choice)
Responses
$0 - $19,999 6 19.35%
$20,000 - $34,999 1 3.23%
$35,000 - $54,999 7 22.58%
$55,000 - $84,999 8 25.81%
$85,000 - $139,999 6 19.35%
$140,000 or more 3 9.68%
Totals
31 100%
7.) Do you own a home or rent? (multiple choice) Responses
I own a single family home 4 11.76%
I own a multi-family home (e.g., triple-decke... 6 17.65%
I own a condominium or townhouse 5 14.71%
I rent my home or apartment 17 50%
Other (none) 2 5.88%
Totals
34 100%
8.) How long have you lived in the Point neighborhood? (multiple choice)
Responses
1 year or less 2 5.88%
2-5 years 2 5.88%
6-10 years 3 8.82%
More than 10 years 7 20.59%
Not applicable 20 58.82%
Totals
34 100%
9.) Did you play the “What’s the Point?” Community PlanIt game?
(multiple choice)
Responses
Yes 9 28.12%
No 23 71.88%
Totals
32 100%
10.) Topic: Safety and Security Select top priority # 1: (multiple choice)
Responses
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 61
Start a neighborhood watch group that will report to Point Neighborhood
Association and Salem Police 10 30.30%
Support better communication between Salem Police and Point, include
a bilingual officer in the Community Impact Unit, and increase bike
patrols 10 30.30%
Improved lighting, signs, and sidewalks so it is safer to walk at night 10 30.30%
Reactivate Salem Problem Properties Task Force to perform city
inspection of problem properties 3 9.09%
Totals
33 100%
11.) Topic: Safety and Security Select top priority # 2: (multiple choice)
Responses
Start a neighborhood watch group that will report to Point Neighborhood
Association and Salem Police 4 13.33%
Support better communication between Salem Police and Point, include
a bilingual officer in the Community Impact Unit, and increase bike
patrols 14 46.67%
Improved lighting, signs, and sidewalks so it is safer to walk at night 4 13.33%
Reactivate Salem Problem Properties Task Force to perform city
inspection of problem properties 8 26.67%
Totals
30 100%
12.) Topic: Neighborhood Pride and Civic Engagement Select top priority
#1: (multiple choice)
Responses
Improve signs and landscaping 3 10%
Install neighborhood bulletin boards 0 0%
Offer leadership training for residents 5 16.67%
Work with city tourism staff to market the assets of the Point, like holding
walking tours 4 13.33%
Hold city-staffed welcome events/programs in the neighborhood to
provide resources and information 2 6.67%
Adopt City language access policy to guide changes to ensure immigrant
access to resources 6 20%
Increase voting by removing obstacles and developing leaders 10 33.33%
Totals
30 100%
13.) Topic: Neighborhood Pride and Civic Engagement Select top priority
#2: (multiple choice)
Responses
Improve signs and landscaping 0 0%
Install neighborhood bulletin boards 0 0%
Offer leadership training for residents 14 50%
Work with city tourism staff to market the assets of the Point, like holding
walking tours 3 10.71%
Hold city-staffed welcome events/programs in the neighborhood to
provide resources and information 3 10.71%
Adopt City language access policy to guide changes to ensure immigrant
access to resources 2 7.14%
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 62
Increase voting by removing obstacles and developing leaders 6 21.43%
Totals
28 100%
14.) Topic: Jobs and Education and Career Pathways Select top priority
#1: (multiple choice)
Responses
Survey Point residents job skills and interests to guide city planning of
future programs between residents and educational institutions and
employers 3 11.11%
Work with Workforce Investment Board and Salem Cyberspace to hold
workshops on careers for young people and adults of all ages 7 25.93%
Implement small business education series in Spanish and English for
current and future business owners 7 25.93%
Work with businesses, colleges, and city to promote hiring of Point
residents in Point businesses 10 37.04%
Totals
27 100%
15.) Topic: Jobs and Education and Career Pathways Select top priority
#2: (multiple choice)
Responses
Survey Point residents job skills and interests to guide city planning of
future programs between residents and educational institutions and
employers 5 16.67%
Work with Workforce Investment Board and Salem Cyberspace to hold
workshops on careers for young people and adults of all ages 9 30%
Implement small business education series in Spanish and English for
current and future business owners 7 23.33%
Work with businesses, colleges, and city to promote hiring of Point
residents in Point businesses 9 30%
Totals
30 100%
16.) Topic: Environment, Open Space, Things to Do Select top priority
#1: (multiple choice)
Responses
Improve parks and natural resources by making small and large
improvements like planting trees, fixing benches, installing lights 6 19.35%
Organize more activities in the parks like baseball games in the park,
farmers market, block party, etc. 10 32.26%
When encouraging new businesses in the Point, promote needs like
places to shop for clothing and to eat and listen to live music 3 9.68%
Teen Resource Center / Community Center 12 38.71%
Totals
31 100%
17.) Topic: Environment, Open Space, Things to Do Select top priority
#2: (multiple choice)
Responses
Improve parks and natural resources by making small and large
improvements like planting trees, fixing benches, installing lights 16 53.33%
Organize more activities in the parks like baseball games in the park,
farmers market, block party, etc. 7 23.33%
When encouraging new businesses in the Point, promote needs like
places to shop for clothing and to eat and listen to live music 2 6.67%
Teen Resource Center / Community Center 5 16.67%
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 63
Totals
30 100%
18.) Topic: Housing Select top priority #1: (multiple choice)
Responses
Identify areas needing improvement (more housing, businesses,
community services, etc.) such as Congress Street corridor and set aside
CDBG funding and City Housing Rehab funds 7 24.14%
Support development that includes housing affordable to different
incomes and a mix of housing and business and office uses 11 37.93%
Understand resident interests in rent and homeownership opportunities
and offer classes on things like landlord and tenant rights in Spanish 5 17.24%
Make information about affordable rental and ownership opportunities
available in Spanish 2 6.90%
Collaboration between tenants and landlords 4 13.79%
Totals
29 100%
19.) Topic: Housing Select top priority #2: (multiple choice)
Responses
Identify areas needing improvement (more housing, businesses,
community services, etc.) such as Congress Street corridor and set aside
CDBG funding and City Housing Rehab funds 8 28.57%
Support development that includes housing affordable to different
incomes and a mix of housing and business and office uses 5 17.86%
Understand resident interests in rent and homeownership opportunities
and offer classes on things like landlord and tenant rights in Spanish 9 32.14%
Make information about affordable rental and ownership opportunities
available in Spanish 4 14.29%
Collaboration between tenants and landlords 2 7.14%
Totals
28 100%
20.) Topic: Streets, Sidewalks, Trash, Recycling Select top priority #1:
(multiple choice)
Responses
Put more resources into storefront improvement program and make
resources available in Spanish 2 7.41%
Improve cleanliness by providing trash barrels and recycling bins and
improve trash pick up to twice per week and street sweeping four times
per year 13 48.15%
City staff will make efforts several times a year to contact landlords who
violate health and safety codes 3 11.11%
City staff will communicate with Point Neighborhood Association to
prioritize infrastructure repairs, improvements, and replacements
projects as part of its five year plans that are funded with CDBG funds 4 14.81%
Clear storm drains (flooding problems on Prince & Palmer Streets) 2 7.41%
Culturally relevant litter campaign 2 7.41%
Establish/reactivate problem properties taskforce 1 3.70%
Totals
27 100%
21.) Topic: Streets, Sidewalks, Trash, Recycling Select top priority #2:
(multiple choice)
Responses
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 64
Put more resources into storefront improvement program and make
resources available in Spanish 3 10.71%
Improve cleanliness by providing trash barrels and recycling bins and
improve trash pick up to twice per week and street sweeping four times
per year 9 32.14%
City staff will make efforts several times a year to contact landlords who
violate health and safety codes 0 0%
City staff will communicate with Point Neighborhood Association to
prioritize infrastructure repairs, improvements, and replacements
projects as part of its five year plans that are funded with CDBG funds 7 25%
Clear storm drains (flooding problems on Prince & Palmer Streets) 1 3.57%
Culturally relevant litter campaign 6 21.43%
Establish/reactivate problem properties taskforce 2 7.14%
Totals
28 100%
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 65
Appendix B: Focus Group, Community PlanIt, and
Public Meeting Highlights
Point Neighborhood Strengths and Opportunities:
Summary Feedback from Focus Groups and Community PlanIt Players
Top words used to describe the Point:
community, strong, diverse, misunderstood, united, tight-knit, awesome
Best things about the neighborhood:
Ability to walk to places to buy things needed and locally owned stores, many restaurants
The murals, Palmers Cove, parks, waterfront view
Diversity of people (college students, longtime residents, immigrants, single people) (6)
Relationships between people / tight relationships in Latino community
Good resources like Health Center, Senior Center, Schools, bank, community organizations
Affordable place to live, affordable places to eat
Transportation (bus access)
Music playing (at the right times – not too late)
Close to downtown and university
Pride in the neighborhood and its history
Police security
Hopes for the neighborhood / things that need improvement:
Cleaner, more beautiful parks and streets – better trash collection and recycling
Less crime/more safety, peace, and harmony – better relations with and understanding of
police system/less fear to report/more confidentiality
More positive perceptions of neighborhood by people within and outside of
neighborhood/less negative stereotypes (by media, realtors, institutions)
Enforcement of building maintenance including shoveling and reinforcing no smoking rules
More fun things to do: more recreational activities for adults and young people, live music,
clubs, festivals and parades in the neighborhood
More retail – good grocery store and places to buy clothing
Integrating neighborhood with rest of the city – no invisible borders
Assistance to renters and homebuyers on things like assistance to rehabilitate homes,
energy efficiency improvements, affordable rents and homeownership
More city investment in neighborhood (fixing damaged signs, potholes, cracks in
pavement, and strengthening voter turnout)
Safer to get around (including running, biking, driving)
Job opportunities for young people and adults
More communication and respect between neighbors of different ethnicities – resolving
conflicts, and more opportunities to get to know people
Service providers who can speak Spanish so people in neighborhood can better access
resources
Improve coordination between neighborhood groups
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 66
Salem Point Visioning Workshop
Thursday, March 7, 2013, 6:30 – 9:00 pm
Small Group Discussion Notes
Over 50 people attended the Visioning Workshop. Participants in the meeting were invited to
discuss assets and opportunities for change in the neighborhood. Participants were also asked to
consider specific topics like: housing, jobs, the environment (health and safety), getting around
(transportation), and recreation (things to do). This document summarizes notes from seven small
group discussions that took place during the workshop.
What is your relationship to the Point (resident, work here, student, hang out here, etc.)?
Everyone has lived in The Point for at least 2 years
Works in Salem with the Point’s Senior Citizens (130 senior citizens)
Interested in The Point neighborhood.
Homeowner members of Salem planning.
Have volunteered
Lived in The Point many years, I’d like The Point to be improved.
I like the history and the unity and community. Like docked boats here.
Relating to the community because I am Spanish.
House of 7 Gables
Serves students
Salem High School
Owner of Tropicana, 25 years
Work with North Shore CDC
Interested in The Point neighborhood
Homeowner members of Salem planning
Have volunteered
Lived in The Point many years, I’d like The Point to be improved.
I like the history and the unity and community. Liked docked boats here.
Relating to the community because I am Spanish.
Proximity to the harbor and to downtown and family is very strong here and strong
community. Few remaining ethnic city.
Work in the Point
Running The Point program
CDC jobs program residents
Workers, live here
What do you like about the Point? Name three things.
Things are really close (schools, daycare)
Cohesiveness of community. Lots of people related to each other. People know their
neighbors.
“Big city feel, not big city prices.”
Family feel.
Lots of interesting places—willows, forest river, museums and 2 golf courses.
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 67
People put up their “boundaries.” Do planners have these boundaries in mind?
History is French Canadian. Diverse ethnicities first migrated here due to the mills
Spanish language, food, culture
Sense of ownership within the community, sense of community and sense of pride
Cyberspace
Parks, including park near Palmers Cove
Knowing everyone
The music
Everyone’s relationship with each other
Academics, distance, seeing it progress.
Social places like The Point act as a launching pad for immigrants. “Graduates” of The
Point are much better off when they leave.
Many residents eventually move away from The Point. But change has occurred and there
are people who are choosing to live there, (Billie). Revitalization.
Proximity to the harbor and to downtown and family is very strong here and strong
community.
Very welcoming people
Palmer’s Cove Park
The changes will be positive because people are buying houses.
Best things: businesses get what you want, food, parks, community gardens
Salem is a nice city (better than surrounding towns and cities).
University, peaceful place, safe.
Lots of activity
The Point is an influential part of the city.
Wendy’s, Cyberspace, NSCDC, The Exchange, family orientation, art (e.g. the murals),
resources, near everything, kids/teens, location/accessibility, bodegas.
Familiar to Lawrence and DC, Culture, Shopping w/ food—Salem El Tipico Restaurant on
Congress Street, Haitian Food, multi-family units, open space on peripheries, small parks.
Nearby access to needs, bodegas, great schools (charter), murals.
What would you change about the Point and why? What do you think would make the Point a
better place to live, work, study in or play in? Does anything that came up in the focus groups and
game surprise you? Tell us why.
Infrastructure – General:
More street lights
Electrical facilities on Congress Street. Facilities are off Peabody Street, maybe we should
change the building all together.
Fix hanging electrical wires
Better streetscape maintenance
lighting—more street lights
more trash cans
Parks in disrepair, broken fences, dark.
Security lights on public property
Snow clearing from sidewalks, immediate fires are city responsibility
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 68
The streets—put cops on every corner, street sweeping/cleanup, cameras to bust drug
dealers so kids aren’t influenced.
Cleaner streets
Hanging electrical wires, street maintenance, lighting
Fix sidewalks basic infrastructure that’s been neglected
Hypothetical: if there was money to be spent in the Point, what would you spend it on?
Roads and sidewalks (x2), safety (take stickers off Stop Signs, replace fallen wires),
business appearance upgrades (façade, lighting etc.), park and street trees.
Infrastructure – Transportation:
Streets are very narrow.
Down Street is very bad, very uneven.
Make the end of Congress Street a destination and bike friendly.
The sidewalks are uneven and I used to fall—they did fix some of the areas.
More parking space meters
Bussing to high schools (dislikes)
Cutting down street trees would make it seem less “stuffy” and improve sidewalks
Bike racks.
Streets—narrow, little sidewalks
Housing
Absentee land-lordism causes more investments to homes they own.
The changes will be positive because people are buying houses.
How do we build new home ownership when people can or cannot afford them?
Housing issues: mold, mildew—general apt. upkeep, afraid of landlord retaliation,
possums and skunks in neighborhood.
Landlords (dislikes)
Open Space/Environment:
Planting flowers for the lot activities and buildings.
More trees
Mary Jane Lee Park, please do something.
Green space, expand community parks, skating park.
Want a cleaner neighborhood
Make more space
Some parks are falling apart—you can get hurt.
I like the way it is but putting more things to do at the park would be good.
River does NOT equal a trash bin!
Underserved parks and open space—possibility of parks used citywide
More parks—fence around Mary Jane Lee Park, more lights and parks on streets.
Someplace for kids to gather (e.g. boys and girls clubs), have activities, sports.
Add water sports (the kind that comes out of the ground) to the park.
Maybe a city-wide park in the Point – to make more people feel welcome including youth
I like the way it is but putting more things to do at the park would be good.
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 69
Economic Development:
Food was important topic, Bodegas.
Employment opportunities around The Point (needs to change/be improved)
Sustainable employment
What can we do with the existing businesses?
More jobs for young adults
How can we get people to The Point? 1) Through businesses 2) (better) sidewalks 3)
landlords
Bring more people into the point to shop at local businesses; give more visibility to local
businesses
There are a lot of Bodegas and restaurants and barbershops and Laundromats—bring all
of these types of businesses in.
Maybe we should set up small shops and food trucks
Farmer’s market in The Point—attracting residents from other neighborhoods?
Change stereotypes to attract business and welcome tourists
One way streets mean little traffic for businesses
The walk from Wendy’s to Congress Street is nice—get people to utilize it better (e.g.
music concerts, picnics, free food).
Capitalizing on cultural capital of Salem. Need to integrate The Point into Salem
community.
Capitalize on cultural assets: food, jewelry, art, something to act like a major pull.
Block parties, more community events, parades
Fairs, Carnivals, Congress Street
Recreation/Things to Do:
Someplace to learn life skills or class for youth on how to find opportunities (housing, food
stamps, money management, self-awareness)
Perhaps there could be things to do late at night for students?
More activities (all ages)
Young/youth 14-15 soccer, baseball, basketball
Basketball courts
Community pool
Need organizations with things for young people to do; a place to learn, teaching
essential life skills to teens – social services in one place
YMCA should be built
Put together community orientation night or center
What can do we do with the existing schools?
“Make troublemakers feel uncomfortable.” Possible need for YMCA/community
organization/life skills.
Safety/Security:
Security response time (make it better)
Crime is not taken seriously in The Point—“it happens.”
To get the end of Congress Street is daunting.
Under-Utilized church torn down
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 70
Res id vs other uses for redevelopment parcel
Hear about how dangerous it is.
People in criminal activity need motivation/opportunity to change.
Police or security guards—ones who are trustworthy and on foot—involved in the
community.
Need neighborhood watch, guards on the street, cameras
Neighborhood watch to improve community responsibility.
less drug crime (and less smoking)
Perceptions/Ownership:
Misconceptions of The Point should be highlighted and eliminated
People don’t know the history of The Point.
Capitalize on the cultural assets of the Point. Cultural assets put to good use.
Point is a place of transition
Bring people from outside of the Point into the neighborhood with things like carnivals
(which they have in the Dominican Republic)
The income question was surprising. People make more than I thought. There’s a huge
income disparity.
Stereotypes: dangerous, dirty, drugs, poorly lit, decrepit, “smallest places in Salem: gets
least attention.”
Change stereotypes of drug, violence, “nobody in there cares” by inviting the wider
community in, breaking down barriers.
“Not our country” – neighborhood is off the radar. May like the community but no
ownership. Neighborhood seen as a place of transition.
Loitering youth
Very welcoming people but less trash please.
Could be seen as intimidating, Could be seen as vibrant.
People are scared of the Point because of stereotypes. It is scary because of the drugs.
Cluttered streets create a sense of heightened risk.
Neighborhood Orientation, obvious idea I never thought of. Very frustrating to move into
a new area and not know where to go. There are transportation questions, parking
bans…information about these things will help make you feel at home, and people don’t
know these things, even if you’ve been here (in the neighborhood) awhile
Civic Engagement:
Consolidation of polling places
Need to engage Latino residents – more active / voice for change – how to engage
parents. Grassroots organizing. Point Neighborhood Association as a resource. There is
lots of misinformation.
City needs to reach Latino voice (effort), 100 students do not understand English. Need
more bilingual announcements, school and city. Reach out to parents in Spanish
Culturally specific outreach to Latino population, address school engagement etc.
Orientation center: community organizing leadership unification and persistence –
permissiveness, PNA, SSU, CDC
Find a way to engage a larger part of the community. This is your home.
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 71
Education—school for young people important to learn about the community to create an
identity.
Get people to shift from “glad I’m leaving that” to “I miss that.”
Changing the narrative
Getting and keeping young people involved
Bring more folks into the neighborhood.
Engage youth to clean up the neighborhood, do some community art, influence others
Outreach people in the community, playing with kids, become trusted authority figures
More connection with all: Salem orientation center
Feedback about the meeting and next steps:
Focus groups with young people. Good, large meetings are intimidating.
Process was good at bringing people together
Take results and talk to 10th Grade at SCA for service project.
Do small changes (from this project?) and report back.
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 72
Salem Point Action Planning Workshop
Monday, May 13, 2013, 6:00 – 8:15 pm
Table Discussion Notes
Over 40 people attended the Action Planning Workshop. Participants in the meeting were invited
to provide ideas of concrete actions that they would like the city and its community partners to
undertake over the next seven years and to also provide ideas for how to improve or expand
any of the action items already identified. Participants had the option of selecting two table
discussions to participate in. There were six available tables structured around the six action plan
topics. Each discussion table benefited from the ideas of two rounds of participants. This document
summarizes notes from the small group discussions that took place during the workshop.
General discussion questions:
Do you think these activities are priorities? Why or why not? If yes, who should be
responsible for making them happen?
Are there any activities you think should be added? If yes, who should be responsible for
making them happen?
TOPIC: Safety and Security
FACILITATOR(S): Kristen Anderson / Ana Nuncio
NOTES:
The top issue selected for inclusion in end-of-meeting polling on action plan priorities is in bold.
Group #1:
Mario – extending the eyes and ears of the community
Yoleny – camera system that can monitor all that happens. City Hall can install a system
on important streets
Velenia – Not accepting dogs or cats housing. Action item 4 the North Shore CDC is
responsible for its own buildings quarterly enforcement of Action item 4
Yoleny – More bilingual officers. Regular police patrols would eliminate loitering by
young people. Police department can become more involved with the community. Officers
on bikes to know the community and culture in addition to having vehicle patrols.
Mario – Clean streets boosts civic pride. Poor drainage not many sewer drains, paving
stretches of streets that have only one storm drain.
Increase street cleaning in high density areas of Point Neighborhood.
Increase yard waste pickups. City Hall has to “put order in the house”
Who’s responsible: Mayor should send letters to each resident or owner (Mayor, DPW,
CDC)
Group #2:
Most important factors start from home.
Children shouldn’t be on the street, need more police, summer programs.
Most people can’t afford private childcare programs.
Need more activities for teens
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 73
Who is giving us safety? Not just the police but also the surrounding community. Safety
belongs to everyone.
Spanish speaking police.
Neighbors call 3 times; we have to feel they are helping you
More night time personnel.
Problems across the street from one participant ; thinks police should break up groups
Neighborhood watch: People should call each other
Not enough street lighting
Need more youth programming, such as the Boys and Girls Club to keep them busy,
playing music or doing workshops.
Lots of abandoned properties and a sex offender in the neighborhood.
Security cameras should be placed on streets, kids can’t play in private park because
people smoke there.
Reinstitute street sweeping
Don’t want shooting shots every day
How could they bring rapist > 31 Salem Street everyday
Trash company makes a mess, trash falls out of the truck as it drives away
Yes : Extend eyes, better communities
Camera system is important (i.e. Lynn)
Make sure CDC is responsive to problem properties.
More Spanish speaking police are needed. Communication is vital. Bike patrols are also
essential.
Loitering: People congregate around business. Patrols disperse groups.
Police can involve the community for preventative measures
Clean streets are safe streets. Regular street sweeping, lighting and beautification needed
Enforcing parking
TOPIC: Neighborhood Pride and Civic Engagement
FACILITATOR(S): Joan Blaustein, MAPC / Ana Nuncio
NOTES:
The top issue selected for inclusion in end-of-meeting polling on action plan priorities is in bold.
Group #1:
Leadership training that’s more inclusive
More opportunities for greater community involvement
Increase civic engagement for greater community involvement / removing obstacles to
voting
Increase voting participation and moving of voting place
Address voting rights issues to increase participation
Challenging misconceptions (Diana)
History of the mills – Joanne Scott
Walking tour ideas
Salem State University
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 74
Getting point residents to become poll workers
Group #2:
Voting – hard to get to the polls, handicapped people need rides. Voters asked to show
ID, while there is a lack of bilingual poll workers
Improvement to parks – teenage hangout, more parks
Latino political leadership, leadership training state resources to find, nurture and support
leadership through the school system
Kids exposed to other areas, expectations
Faith based, use older residents as mentors
Multigenerational learning, do it intentionally
Increase voting by removing obstacles and developing leaders
Neighborhood pride and civic engagement
TOPIC: Job Training, Job Placement, and Education and Career Pathways
FACILITATOR(S): Andrew Shapiro, City of Salem / Elsabel
NOTES:
The top issue selected for inclusion in end-of-meeting polling on action plan priorities is in bold.
Group #1:
Point is characteristic by low levels of income and educational
We should think about the needs across educational and racial lines
There are differences in terms of what someone who is Dominican views the world versus
someone who is Puerto Rican
Leadership is needed to implement change.
o “The city is willing to help”
There is a disconnect between The Point and Shetland Park
o Business answers should make connections with Point Residents
The High School is missing in the “Partners”
o Businesses should be encouraged to take on interns to introduce young people
to office environments. North Shore Community College should be included as
well.
Group #2:
There needs to be more of a connection to higher education
There needs to be a pipeline from the point to higher educational institutions
Universities should partner with school districts and after school programs
o The Workforce Investment Board can help facilitate this by working with children
and adults
Programs should target students in middle school, in order to begin a discussion about
educational attainment and job training prior to getting into high school
Immigrants who attend college should go to schools to speak about educational
opportunities
Map the jobs in Shetland Park and greater Point and then survey Point residents to align
interests / needs
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 75
Missing:
o Helping immigrants / Point residents obtain small business loans. They need
help with process and to be aware of opportunities
o Offering more ESL classes and opportunities
Bridging the language gap is critical compliment to job training
Surveying residents is highest priority to begin with
TOPIC: Environment, Open Space, and Things to Do
FACILITATOR (S): Claudia Paraschiv and Emily Torres-Cullinane, MAPC
NOTES:
The top issue selected for inclusion in end-of-meeting polling on action plan priorities is in bold.
Group #1:
Fran – community garden: is one enough? Most popular community garden in Salem. Farmers
market. Extend the edge as a green shore walkway with businessses, restaurants, cigar shop and
dominoes, beer garden.
See map #1: Aaron – lights in Mary Jane Lee Park to light the park itself.
See map #2: Fran – directory of Point business > info booth for info on things like
restaurant walks and a farmers market to Palmer Cove Park –
See map #8: Aaron – Farmers market to Lafayette Street (because people walk)
Improve Lafayette Park
Peabody, Ward, Harbor > These give it the bad image (1)
Most dense / clean up and trash cans see map (1)
See map #12: Tom Furey – Move Boys & Girls Club in park. Coordination with school,
more activity in Palmer Cove. Connection to the water, with a boardwalk, and zone as
business to also enable fishing, kayaking, restaurants.
Group #2:
Judy, Dennis King – MJLP > make it stand out park. Functional “asphalt area” kiddie
bball park. Connect it to the park with Salem community child care center as a partner.
Partners: Aggregate industries – hold them to maintenance, Shetland Park for
fundraising, Home Depot – a good partner.
Dennis King – has a contact with Home Depot
Baseball field is great. Big green area not used, tennis court not used > enhance Palmer
Cove Park and Court.
Teen Resource Center > community space with the Plummer Home.
(Shaun Shay owns corner park)
Jerika, 5/12 years old, comment: a slide and merry go around in the park would be
great!
Mary Jane Lee Park needs light, new sand. It looks uninviting, which increases stereotype
that it is not a friendly place.
Open space to focus on to welcome people to the point -> Peabody Street and Congress
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 76
Re: maintenance: Sgt Dennis King noted that Aggregate Industries, who installed the sand
at the Mary Jane Lee Park playground, had a contract to maintain it, but this hasn’t
happened – due to the project manager leaving and no one following up on it.
Map comments:
See map #1a: Lights at Mary Jane lee Park
See map #5: Walkway and business on the ground / restaurants
See map #6: Community garden , Mary Jane across the street
See map #7: Trash and street sweeping often - > Peabody, Ward, Harbor
See map #9a: Ashley – Clean up Prince, Parks Salem. Plant trees.
See map #11: Farmer’s markets
See map #13: Underutilized park @ Congress and Peabody: Gateway Park. Open
space to focus on welcoming people to the Point – Peabody Street and Congress Street
TOPIC: Housing - Tenants and Landlords
FACILITATOR: Lynn Duncan, City of Salem and Joy Winkler, North Shore CDC
NOTES:
The top issue selected for inclusion in end-of-meeting polling on action plan priorities is in bold.
Group #1:
Take ownership of homes rather renters / owners: cultural differences, orientations: write
expectations, recycling information
Don’t have the money to be a homeowner
Don’t know how to become an owner
Living here 16 to 24 years in the Point respectively
Section 8 means no home ownership
Need senior housing, and can City Hall help with this?
Add a work piece (community service requirement) to Section 8 tenants’ lease. This helps
build pride in the neighborhood
Board of Health can help to communicate healthy living practices
Too hard to get funding from city to help out with repairs
Challenges with housing is connected to lack of parking
St. Joes workers taking up all parking on Dow Street
Cleaning up the Point
Group #2:
Very hard to get an apartment in Salem because it’s too expensive. There’s a renaissance
in Salem, and new citizens and students will gentrify the city and the Point neighborhood
overall.
Need to maintain affordable rental housing. Housing stock that is available is too
expensive.
People are aware of the opportunities at St. Joes.
Quality of CDC housing is OK, but there are problems with other tenants.
Landlords and tenants need to help each other
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 77
Need more signs about “no smoking” and “no trash”
Hard for tenants to directly talk to tenants about problems. Need landlord support.
Institute fines in building for leaving trash outside unit door.
Neighbors are very complacent. Very busy, no “ownership”…
Always worth asking tenants to step up, but you don’t always get a desired response.
Whenever you get a new tenant, you have to tell them to be considered of others.
Communication between landlords and tenants needed.
TOPIC: Streets, Sidewalks, Trash, and Recycling (Infrastructure)
FACILITATOR: Holly St. Clair, MAPC and ?
NOTES:
The top issue selected for inclusion in end-of-meeting polling on action plan priorities is in bold.
Group #1
Cleaning up after dogs
1. Harbor Street
2. Prince Street near Mary Jane Lee Park
3. Improving recycling pick up and adding more recycling bins in the Point
Neighborhood.
More public recycling bins and cans
More street signs
Speed bump on Lynch street between 8 and 9 needs repainting
Street paving : Park Street and Palmer Street / Prince Street (one is drawn on map)
1. Curbing your dog and enforcement
2. Recycling bins get stolen. Costs $5-6 = sticker available. Larger bins needed for
apartments and 3-families
3. More public recycling bins, like Cambridge
4. Trash – Wendy’s has more trash cans. Cigarette butts – trash cans needed at Mary Jane
Lee Park.
5. Pricing on garage during snow storm South Harbor garage on Congress and Harbor
6. Speed bump on Lynch St.
7. Enforcement for shoveling
8. Street paving at Park Street, Salem, Palmer Streets
9. Flooding of basements on Prince and Palmer Streets, clean storm drains. Sewer – only one
drain on Prince Street
10. Curb cuts and curb heights
Group #2
1. Lighting at Mary Jane Lee Park
2. Street sweeping and alternating days for sides of streets
3. Trash blocks gutters – need more trash cans and recycling bins
4. Community service / litter management plan for business
5. Check every cleaning on Tuesdays – once a year, two entrances
6. Communication around plowing
7. Plows to road, curb to curb
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 78
8. Outreach to business owners about snow removal
9. Congress, Palmer, Harbor, Prince, between Dow and Palmer
10. Education campaign for recycling
11. Trash cans – business owners survey. Collect trash every day.
12. Need a culturally relevant litter campaign (“Pride in the Point”. Big Papi, hoops on trash
cans)
13. Community Point
14. (#3 on map) needs Problem Properties Task Force, including walks and year round
awards for “Pride in the Point”
15. Street lights needed on Palmer Street
16. Fencing and sand at Mary Jane Park - replace Rules sign
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 79
Appendix C: What’s the Point? Community PlanIt
Player Statistics
What’s “the Point”? Community PlanIt Player Statistics
Players’ Affiliations:
City of Salem
Creative Salem
Go Out Loud
Engagement Game Lab
Highrock North Shore Church
Journeys of Hope
Metropolitan Area Planning
Council
Migrant Advocacy
North Shore CDC
Peabody Essex Museum
Point Neighborhood
Association
Rotary Club
Salem Academy Charter
School
Salem Boys and Girls Club
Salem Community Charter
School
Salem Chamber of
Commerce
Salem Public Schools
Salem High School
Salem Resident (current and former)
Salem State University
Salem Sound Coastwatch
Salem YMCA
Salem Chamber of Commerce
Salem City Council
Salem Cyberspace
Student
Workforce Investment Board
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 80
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 81
Appendix D: 2013 Salem Point Neighborhood
Parcel Conditions Survey Results
MAPC used the LocalData web-based surveying tool to collect data on parcel conditions in the
Salem Point neighborhood priority investment zone. Below are highlights of key findings. Detailed
data on each parcel has been supplied to the City of Salem. Learn more about the tool:
www.localdata.com
Uses by Type in Point Neighborhood Priority Investment Zone
# Parcels
% of
Total
Residential 216 86
Commercial 14 6
Parking Lot 11 4
Vacant Lot 4 2
Mixed Use 4 2
Industrial 1 .004
Unknown 1 .004
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 82
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 83
Appendix E: Suggested Improvements in Safety
& Security
This map reflects comments documented at the May 13th Action Planning Workshop.
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 84
Appendix F: Suggested Improvements in
Environment, Open Space, and Things to Do
This map reflects comments documented at the May 13th Action Planning Workshop.
Salem Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan 85
Appendix G: Suggested Improvements in
Infrastructure
This map reflects comments documented at the May 13th Action Planning Workshop.