Streets and Sidewalks: $157 million

As funding generated from Salem's 2008 voter-passed Streets and Bridges bond measure is expended, ongoing costs for planned transportation projects exceed available funding. Included in the bond are projects to: provide pedestrian crossings and install sidewalks and bicycle routes; construct new streets and replace or add signals for traffic flow; and repair bridges. Davis Road SE, Fisher Rd NE, and McGilchrist St SE are some roadways included in the approved bond proposal. The bond also includes funding to complete the Union Street bikeway project.

Streets and Sidewalks - Proposed Projects

Bicycle / Pedestrian Access

• State Street:  13th St NE to 17th St NE Bike Lanes and Pavement; Pavement repair and striping reconfiguration to one travel lane in each direction with a center turn lane and bike lanes.  This would include a pedestrian crossing at 15th Street and associated streetscaping such as lighting, curbs, sidewalks and landscaping, and a new traffic signal at the 17th Street intersection.
• Pringle Creek Path - Civic Center to Riverfront Park (half bond funding, grant funding is anticipated for the other half); construct a pedestrian bridge crossing of Pringle Creek under the Commercial Street bridge, and a new path along Pringle Creek from Commercial Street under the existing railroad bridge to the Riverfront Park. This would include creek overlooks and art wall. This would complete a pedestrian corridor from Willamette University and downtown, along Pringle Creek to Riverfront Park and Minto Island Park across the Peter Courtney Bridge.
• Union Street Bikeway. The bond includes funding to extend bicycle facilities on Union Street NE between Summer Street NE and the 12th Street Pedestrian Promenade, which would complete the “Union Street Family Friendly Bikeway”.  The Commercial Street NE to Summer Street NE portion of the work is currently funded in the City’s Capital Improvement Program.

Sidewalks

• Pedestrian Crossings projects would include median islands, lighting, rapid flashing beacons in some areas, and new curb ramps and sidewalks consistent with the ADA.  Specific locations would be determined at a later date. If the bond is passed, community outreach would be conducted and Council would approve the projects.
• Sidewalk infill or construction of new sidewalks for pedestrian connectivity.   Locations would be determined at a later date. Community outreach would be conducted and Council would approve the projects.
• Replacement of sidewalk sections/panels.  Locations would be determined at a later date. Community outreach would be conducted and Council would approve the projects.

Pavement Repair  

Bond funds would be used for roadway projects, and include curb ramps consistent with the ADA at the following locations:

• Commercial Street SE: Fabry Rd SE to Interstate 5 interchange and 12th St Cuttoff to Boone Rd SE; Center Street NE
• Center Street NE:  17th St NE to 24th St NE
• 12th Street SE:  Mill St SE to Hoyt St SE
• Silverton Road NE:  17th St NE to Williams Ave NE and Beacon St NE to Fisher Rd NE
• Doaks Ferry Rd NW:  Brush College Dr NW to Emerald Dr NW
• Portland Road NE:  Beach Ave NE to Northgate Ave NE
• Liberty Street SE:  Mill St SE to Trade St SE
• Madrona Avenue SE:  Peck Ave SE to Commercial St SE

Upgrade to Urban Street Standard

• McGilchrist Street SE:  12th St SE to 25th St SE (would include realignment and a new traffic signal at 22nd Street, upgrades to two creek crossings, and installation or expansion of rail crossing warnings or barriers)
• Fisher Road NE:  Silverton Rd NE / East-West Curve (includes a traffic signal replacement at Sunnyview Road and pedestrian crossings at Beverly Avenue and Devonshire Avenue)
• Pringle Road SE:  McGilchrist St SE to Georgia St SE (includes four pedestrian crossings near transit stops)
• Davis Road S: Skyline Rd S to Liberty Rd S (includes a new traffic signal at Davis Road and Liberty Road)

New Street: Marine Drive NW

• This first part of this proposed project for Marine Drive would run from Harritt Drive to Taybin Road and include a new multi-use pedestrian path connected to Wallace Marine Park.  There would be a new road at a 'collector street standard' with two travel lanes, including a new curb, a sidewalk on the westerly side, a 12' multi-use path on the easterly side, stormwater treatment, and streetlights.  This would include connector streets at Harritt Drive, Beckett Street, and 5th Avenue.   This proposed project would cost approximately $23 million of the $157 million estimated for transportation in the bond measure.

Bridge Reconstruction - Proposed Projects

Strengthen existing bridge to remove load restrictions to allow for safe crossing at:

• Liberty Street NE Bridge over Mill Creek
• 17th Street NE Bridge over Mill Creek
• Mission Street SE Bridge over Pringle Creek
• 15th Street NE Bridge over Mill Creek

Fire Engines and Equipment: $26 million

Purchased with bond funds in 2006, Salem's fire engines are 15 years old and have reached 450,000 "motor miles". This is at or past the expected life of the equipment according to the manufacturer and industry standards. The equipment has been maintained, but there has been an increase in the frequency and cost of repairs. The fire engines, ladder trucks, and other equipment such as various types of saws or breathing equipment will be replaced with bond funding.

New Fire Engines and Equipment

The bond would fund:

• Replacement of Salem’s 15-year old fire engines 

• Purchased with bond funds in 2006

• Average 450,000 "motor miles" 

• Replacement of ladder trucks, rescue tools like the “jaws of life” and defibrillators, medic units, vehicles for needs specific to heavy rescue, medium rescue, airfield rescue and firefighting, air support, and wildland grass fire. 

Two Additional Fire Stations: $14 million

Bond funds would be used to purchase property for and construct up to two new fire stations. The City may explore whether it would repurpose existing property or otherwise relocate a station.

Sites for Future Development: Branch Libraries and Affordable Housing: $7.5 million

Bond funds would be used to acquire two properties for branch libraries on those same sites as future affordable housing.

Park Upgrades: $28.4 million

Projects included in Salem’s park system would replace restrooms at Cascades Gateway, Northgate, McKay School, Bush’s Pasture, and Wallace Marine Parks and construct new trails, covered areas, playgrounds, pickleball courts and dog parks.

Proposed Parks Projects

Replace Playground Equipment

• Royal Oaks
• Livingston
• McKay 
• Morningside
• Aldrich
• Riverfront
• Woodmansee
• Brush College
• Minto Brown Island 
• Clark Creek

Restroom Facilities

• McKay School Park - new four-stall
• Bush's Pasture Park – replace eight-stall
• Cascades Gateway Park – replace four-stall
• Wallace Marine Park - replace eight-stall
• Northgate Park - new four-stall

Athletic Courts

• New tennis/pickleball courts at Highland, Hoover, and River Road parks
• Replacing multi-use athletic courts at Hoover, Morningside and Sumpter parks

Paths and Trails

• Park paths and trails throughout parks system. If the bond is approved, community outreach would be conducted and Council would approve the projects. 

Installation of Upgrades at Sport Fields

• Geer Park
• McKay School Park
• Orchard Heights Park

New Fenced Dog Parks

• At Geer and Fairview Parks

Park Shelters

• Bush's Pasture Park
• Geer Park
• Orchard Heights Park
• McKay School Park

Install or Repair Paved Parking Lots

• Minto-Brown Island Park, Parking Lot 2 (dog park area) and 3 (river access area)

Upgrades to Peace Plaza Park 

• Peace Plaza at Civic Center.  Bond funds would restore fountain, add greenspace, a sculpture, and parking to park space.

Affordable Housing Opportunity Fund: $10 million

Bond funds will provide funding to public and private developers for the construction of multi-family housing that would be accessible to lower-income individuals or families.

Programs typically target rents at the 80% Average Median Income level for the county.

Technology and Cybersecurity: $17.6 million

City services to residents and businesses are delivered using technology. Bond funds would be used to replace outdated financial and accounting systems, create a second data center for recovery after a disaster, and install a redundant fiber ring which would provide resiliency if primary systems were to become nonoperational.

This money would:

• Bring business systems up-to-date and update cybersecurity for personal data.
• Replace financial reporting and accounting systems.
• Provide for a second data center for recovery after a disaster and build redundant fiber ring to ensure on-going City services in the event of an emergency.

Civic Center Seismic Upgrades: $39.5 million

The Civic Center was built 50 years ago. To meet current earthquake standards bond funding will be used to reinforce all three buildings which would allow visitors and staff exit options in the event of an earthquake. Funds would be used to replace and support skylights, windows, roofs and other systems, with abatement of hazardous materials and restoration of areas impacted by structural work.

Civic Center is the last 1972-era City building without seismic improvements.