The board of the Salem Area Mass Transit District, often known as Cherriots, may decide the future home of the city’s next transit hub Thursday evening.
Cherriots staff are asking the board to pick one of three finalist sites for the project, which will take several years to complete. The hub has long been a goal of the transit agency, but stalled in 2019 after Cherriots failed to reach a deal with Walmart to build in their parking lot.
The hub is intended to provide better transit service to the growing south Salem area so riders won’t have to travel downtown to transfer between routes.
The board in June gave the transit agency’s management a green light to do a cost analysis and talk to land owners after an outside firm study identified three possible locations along Southeast Commercial Street.
Now, the board will again consider those sites, using a report that estimates the cost of building at each and the willingness of property owners to sell. The sites are:
-The southwest corner of Fabry Road Southeast and Commercial Street Southeast, which has several existing businesses, potentially complicating acquiring the property. Development of a transit center would cost about $13.46 million.
-The northwest corner of Wiltsey Road Southeast and Commercial Street Southeast, where the owner may not be willing to sell, and some businesses would need to be relocated. Development of a transit center would cost about $18.58 million.
-The northeast corner of Wiltsey Road Southeast and Commercial Street Southeast, which likely has a willing seller and some protected tree species which could complicate design. Development of a transit center would cost about $13.45 million.
More details about the sites are available starting on page 125 of the board packet.
The board on Thursday will also consider adopting a strategic plan for diversity, equity and inclusion; and hear reports from Cherriots management about agency operations.
To participate: The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 28 in the Senator Hearing Room on the ground floor of Courthouse Square, 555 Court St. N.E. Members of the public can attend the meeting in person, or watch a livestream via Zoom, on CC:Media, channel 21, or YouTube. Public comments can be made live during the meeting on Zoom, or via email to [email protected].
-Rachel Alexander
