Neighborhood News is a monthly Salem Reporter feature intended to highlight news or issues of concern to each neighborhood association. Read previous editions here.
Salem is divided into 17 neighborhood associations that meet monthly. They serve as a conduit to city officials for things like park improvements, road projects and planning and building. Learn more and find your association here.
Leaders of each association are invited to submit a brief news item or report highlighting the association’s work, neighborhood concerns, upcoming activities or anything else of interest. Submissions are lightly edited for style and clarity.
Grant Neighborhood Association
Grant Neighborhood Association’s February meeting at Broadway Commons hosted 14 neighbors and friends and 13 board members. It began with a meet & greet with refreshments.
Highlights:
- Lynn Takata informed us about Englewood Forest Festival to be held on August 10.
- GNA is represented by 3 neighbors on the City’s Revenue Task Force
- GNA members are on the Budget Committee, Planning Commission and Public Art Commission
- Transportation Manager Julie Hanson asked for support of the City’s application for a federal grant for planning efforts on Front Street.
- City Emergency Manager Joe Hutchinson introduced himself, reminded us that Community Emergency Response Team classes commence on Feb. 22, and took questions about preparedness.
- Officer Matthew Groat announced a series of meetings beginning March 6 to examine Salem’s crime data.
- Highland Neighborhood Association board members updated us on their recent and upcoming activities including some that could be collaborations with GNA.
- Councilor Virginia Stapleton brought us up to speed on upcoming motions concerning pedestrian safety and public art; efforts underway to examine solutions to camping in Wallace Marine Park; and the Revenue Task Force. She lauded the opening of Sequoia Crossings and the success of Avelo Airlines at Salem Airport.
- GNA is looking to help repair a park bench on Grant School property.
- Board members reported on meeting with the Truitt Bros. Cannery Development Team.
- The Evergreen Church/DevNW project for veterans housing on Church & D is moving along.
- Our bylaws review is almost finished and will be voted on at our May general membership meeting.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and at www.grantneighborhood.org
The next GNA meeting is on March 7.
–Submitted by Susan Napack, vice chair
Highland Neighborhood Association
The Highland Neighborhood Association invites you to the Kids Clothing Swap on March 30th, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Center 50+. This event supports local families by providing a sustainable way to exchange clothing for children aged 0-12 years, reducing waste and fostering community connection.
Admission is free, and we encourage participants to bring gently used, clean clothing for the swap. This is a fantastic chance to declutter, find new treasures, and meet fellow community members. You can learn more via our Facebook event.
We’re also seeking volunteers to help ensure the event’s success. Volunteering offers a great opportunity to engage with neighbors and contribute positively to our community efforts. To get involved, please contact us at [email protected]
Don’t forget our monthly meetings take place on the second Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the North Neighbors Resource Center, 945 Columbia St NE, Salem. You can also join us virtually via Zoom. These gatherings are key for community engagement, discussing future initiatives, and planning events. We hope to see you at a future event!
–Submitted by Ryan Erickson-Kulas, secretary-treasurer
Northeast Neighbors
Applications will be accepted beginning Feb. 15 for the 6th annual Englewood Forest Festival held Aug. 10 in beautiful Englewood Park, 1260 19th St. N.E., Salem. Performers, artists, food vendors and environmental nonprofits are welcome to apply online at EnglewoodForestFestival.org.
Please call 503-877-4731 if you have any questions or would like to help sponsor our magical celebration of art, environmental and community.
Neighborhood Stop Sign Plan in the Englewood area
The City of Salem has selected the Englewood Neighborhood for a Neighborhood Stop Sign Plan. Join our Feb. 13 NEN Zoom Meeting at 6:30 p.m. to learn more.
Parks Grants!
Thank you to the City of Salem Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and our neighbors who wrote letters to support these projects. Our two neighborhood parks were both awarded a $3,500 grant! Englewood Park’s project includes creating a small camas meadow. McRae Park’s project will be to purchase two portable soccer goals. NEN will be raising funds to support the soccer goals as the total cost is estimated to be $7,000. If you are interested in being involved with either project, please email us [email protected].
Gun Violence in Northeast Salem
As some of you may know, a recent study showed that gun violence in Northeast Salem increased from 2018 to 2023. Part of our neighborhood was once considered a “hot spot” by the Salem Police Department but due to the reduction in shootings, our area is not considered a “hot spot’ any longer. We understand that much of the gun violence has been connected with gangs and drug sales. NEN Chair Lynn Takata will be sharing some of what our neighborhood has done to try to reduce gun violence. Learn more about this issue in Salem and what can be done to help prevent and address it at this free event.
TOWN HALL ON GUN VIOLENCE
Thursday, Feb. 15, at 6 pm. Doors open at 5 p.m.
Location: Elsinore Theater, 170 High St. S.E.
FREE TICKETS: Get them online for admission
–Submitted by Lynn Takata, chair
Northgate Neighborhood Association
Northgate Neighborhood Association is proud to say that we have two of our board members leading the CPR training program by City of Salem. This program will be performed by city fire station crew members. The two have been discussing this for a while already and want to make this materialize soon. Just got word from the City that we are good to go with this free training on Thursday, May 16, at 6 p.m. at North Annex of Northgate Wesleyan Church, 2405 Carleton Way N.E., in lieu of a regular monthly meeting.
The two leaders of these projects are Jess Cruz and Michael Hoselton.
Our Chair, Michael, and the Secretary/Park Chair went to see the supportive minister last Tuesday in the hope of being able to use the facility for this special purpose. Dane Giesdal, the minister from Northgate Wesleyan Church, is kindly allowing us to practice on the property.
We are ready to go if we get a minimum of five people and no limit on the maximum.
-Submitted by Kaethe Mentrum, secretary and parks chair
South Central Association of Neighbors
The February meeting of the SCAN neighborhood association falls on Valentine’s Day this year, so we are dedicating the evening to our love of Salem. Specifically, we’re showing our love for our neighbors at the St. Francis Family Shelter.
SCAN is collecting donations of items (or cash or check) that residents at St. Francis regularly need. We’re looking for individual sized laundry detergent, toilet paper, toothpaste and toothbrushes, paper towel, women’s deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, bar soap, liquid dish soap, full size sheets, twin sheets, kitchen trash bags and shower curtains. Donations can be brought to our February meeting – Wednesday, Feb. 14, 6:30 p.m. at South Salem High School – or neighbors can contact SCAN Vice Chair Evan West at: [email protected] to arrange pickup.
Readers interested in what’s happening in SCAN are encouraged to follow our Instagram account, where the most up to date and accurate information is posted: @scansalemofficial.
–Submitted by Evan West, vice president
West Salem Neighborhood Association
Roth’s Community Room was buzzing with energy as the first WSNA meeting of the year kicked off in grand style. The room was packed, and the agenda was filled with an array of guest speakers. A full accounting of the meeting will be posted on our website soon, but we wanted to share a few highlights.
Police Report: Sergeant Asey of the Salem Police Department kicked off the meeting with a plethora of updates, but for West Salemites, one of the most alarming messages he delivered was about the rise of mailbox thefts in our area. We’re all acutely aware of the brazen “porch pirates” but may forget how susceptible our locked mailboxes can be. He presented some eye-popping statistics, then offered some simple ways we can help combat this offence:
- Pick up your mail promptly after delivery.
- Don’t leave mail in your box overnight. Ask a friend or neighbor to pick it up for you.
- Put a hold on your mail when you go out of town.
- Report all suspected mail theft to your Postal Inspector AND local police.
Land Use: Jorge Brambila, a long-time West Salem resident and business owner, presented a proposal to build a mixed-use apartment complex at 415 Moyer Lane (next to Victorico’s off Wallace Road). The project is still in the initial stages (no application has been filed yet), but Jorge wanted to introduce the proposal now, in order to solicit input from West Salem neighbors as he continues to develop his plan. This is Jorge’s first development project, and he is very mindful of the neighborhood and community. The owner of La Hacienda Mexican restaurant, and a family man from the West Salem community, his plan evolves around affordability levels, neighborhood needs, ADA requirements, green space, and traffic and parking safety issues. His plan is to build a 3-story, 23-unit apartment complex with small retail units on the bottom level that would provide services to the development and to the WS neighborhood at large. Jorge received a round of applause from the WSNA crowd. We’ll be looking forward to hearing more from him as his plans develop.
Please visit our website at https://westsalemna.com for more information from the February meeting: Salem Police Department, Councilor Micki Varney, Journeys Larry Dillenbeck, Ellen Stevens and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, and the Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan Update.
- Next meeting: March 7th at 6:30 p.m. at Roth’s in West Salem. The Community Room, located upstairs, is accessible by stairs and elevator.
- April Meeting Reminder: Scheduled for April 4th at 6:30 p.m. at Capital Manor. More information is coming soon!
-Submitted by Mo Zwicker, communications chair
Our next edition of Neighborhood News will run in mid-March. Submissions must be received by Monday, March 11 to be included.
Contact Managing Editor Rachel Alexander with submissions or questions: [email protected].
STORY TIP OR IDEA? Send an email to Salem Reporter’s news team: [email protected].
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