Developments energize health of downtown

Projects include housing, offices and a grocery store

January 3, 2008

This is an exciting time to be part of Salem. In one December week, this community learned of two projects that will transform downtown:

SP Development's $50 million proposal for two buildings housing a grocery store, residences, retail and office space on the site of the vacant Wells Fargo bank branch and parking lot on Chemeketa Street NE.

• Developers Larry Tokarski's and Dan Berrey's purchase of Boise Cascade's 13-acre riverfront property and their plans to develop it as a mix of housing, office and retail space, with public pathways and plazas.

  Meanwhile, the state parks department wants to buy Boise Cascade's land on Minto-Brown Island. A long-held dream of a footbridge to the island from Riverfront Park looks to be within reach. Willamette University, the city and a private developer have cooperated on an office/residential project rising at 295 Church St. SE.

  You'd think an unseen hand was going check -- check -- check -- to the City Council's list of goals.

  Of course, all these announcements didn't just happen. Mayor Janet Taylor, city councilors and newly retired City Manager Bob Wells have been plugging away for years to turn these dreams to reality. They deserve credit for setting clear priorities and seeing them through.

  That helps explain why Willamette University has committed to closer ties with downtown Salem in its own ambitious long-range plan. It helps explain why Salem Hospital is undertaking a huge overhaul of its campus in the city's core.

  These projects -- and the private money they pump into the local economy -- will energize the health of downtown.

  They also should encourage Salem Vision 2020, a community process to set long-term goals for the core area. This is not some feel-good study that will sit on a shelf when completed. Already it is possible to imagine the city center that Vision 2020 participants have said they want to see: "a vibrant, year round destination for employees, visitors and residents. ... A diverse array of shopping, dining, cultural activities and entertainment attract people at all hours of the day. ... Pedestrian, bicycle and streets connect the adjoining neighborhoods to and from the City Center, Willamette River, meandering waterways, parks, green spaces, trails, and play spaces."

  At the start of 2008, Salem is much closer to that goal than it was a year ago. Assuming that the plans announced last month proceed, in five to 10 years Salem will be a very different place indeed.
  
  Links
  
  For links to the Salem City Council goals, click: www.cityofsalem.net/export/departments/citygov/mayor_council/goals.htm
  
  For a link to information about Vision 2020, click: www.cityofsalem.net/export/departments/scdev/cityplan/Vision2020/Vision-2020.html