Neighborhood News is a monthly Salem Reporter feature to highlight news or issues of concern to each Salem 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.

Central Area Neighborhood Development Organization

Join us for our monthly meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 19, at 6:00 p.m., at the Neighbor to Neighbor Office (347 Union St. N.E.) and on Zoom.  We’ll hear about last month’s emergency declaration to protect Salem’s water supply, new construction on Southeast Ferry Street, Salem Bike Vision, and more. If you live, work, or own property in downtown Salem, you are a member of CANDO and are welcome to attend! For questions or requests to present, reach us at [email protected]. 

-Submitted by Spencer Rosenau, chair

Grant Neighborhood Association

Grant Community Park got some love! Thank you to city of Salem Parks Department for replacing our old game table — and for the other upgrades and fixes that went along with the funds awarded from the Salem Parks Improvement Fund. And, it’s soccer time! Thanks to Salem Parks Foundation funds, there are now two new soccer goals in the playing field.

• We hosted about 120 visitors to our National Night Out celebration in partnership with Seed of Faith Ministries. BBQ, bouncy house & bubbles – oh my!
• Neighbors from CANDO joined us for an enjoyable day at our tent at Saturday Market on July 26.
• We had 26 neighbors and friends attend our Aug. 5 meeting, including representatives from the fire department, the Dome Building Revitalization Initiative, and the local Grocery Outlet property owner (the store is closing). We were so grateful and relieved that Councilor Linda Nishioka and Interim City Manager Krishna Namburi were able to attend and share important city initiatives with us.
• Concerns: Illegal drone activity. Unhoused squatters. 
• Annual goals: Strengthening GNA relationship with Grant Community School and local businesses.
• New board member and Officers elected.

The minutes from the August meeting will be posted before the Sept. 4 meeting. Find the location and link to our hybrid meetings on the GNA website and in the GNA newsletter. Follow GNA on Instagram and Facebook. Contact us at [email protected]

-Submitted by Susan Napack, vice chairnes

Northeast Salem Neighborhood Association

NESCA is excited to share two events of interest to our neighbors! First, please join us at our August monthly meeting (Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Jory Apartments, 909 Park Ave. N.E.)! We’ll be joined by representatives from the Dome Building Community Coalition, to discuss potential reuse of the Dome Building. This is something near and dear to the hearts of many in NESCA – come learn about the coalition’s proposed plans and provide feedback to help shape the future of the Dome Building!

Second, NESCA will be hosting its second annual NESCA Neighbor Open House on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. Join us at the Jory Apartments and learn how to make an impact in our neighborhood through NESCA, what city and community resources are available to you, and maybe even meet a neighbor or two!

-Submitted by Stacey Vieyra–Braendle, chair

Northgate Neighborhood Association

August started off busy for Northgate Neighborhood Association when we were supposed to be relaxing, we were not.

One of our executive board members, Jess Cruz, community liaison chair, was adamant that Northgate is not to be forgotten by the city of Salem especially about something that most officials would consider significant, as the new installation of an entry sign. You may already know from our previous article, it took over six long years for this sign to finally come to fruition. But this time, although we wanted a ribbon cutting ceremony in the spring soon after installation, we could not for various reasons. However, we were not giving up as this is the gateway to the capital, Salem being capital of Oregon and this sign, belated or not, deserved to have a ribbon cutting event. 

Although we asked our mayor first, as usually mayors cut ribbons for openings, but unfortunately, our mayor was unavailable. Therefore, we looked for another prominent figure and we were more than lucky to have Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell kindly accept to do the honors. The ceremony will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 13 at noon. We invited state Reps. Kevin Mannix and Lesly Muñoz for the occasion. We prefer something neutral such as this to be bipartisan, that all parties should enjoy it together and be in unison with each other.

On the left and right top corners of the sign, are two closeups of Oregon state bird, the western meadow lark. The male is calling out to the female which is about to take flight. These birds have big lungs as they are songbirds. This whole theme is based on spring with cherry blossoms blooming on branches. 

We hope the press will give this ceremony full coverage.

–Submitted by Kaethe Mentrum, secretary and park chair

North Lancaster Neighborhood Association

NOLA hosted its annual Night After National Night Out on Aug. 6.  The 2025 event saw an uptick in the number of participating organizations which resulted in an increase of attendees.  This year we had 18 social service and nonprofit organizations sharing resources and information at the event.  Matt from Miller’s BBQ came out to grill up some delicious hot dogs to feed the hungry crowd.  Enlace Cross-Cultural Commubnity Development Project brought folklorico dancers and singing performers.  Gemanereida Barragan Cruz sang several songs, she is a very talented young lady with an incredible singing voice.  

Among the attendees, we had visits from elected officials including Mayor Julie Hoy and Ward 6 Councilor Mai Vang.  We even got to see Salem Fire Chief Gerboth, Interim City Manager Krishna Namburi and Salem police officer Mark Jantz.  

The Oregon State Fair donated admission tickets for our attendees who also received raffle tickets to win a variety of prizes.  Thanks again to our generous sponsors: DaVi-Nails, Odd Moe’s Pizza, Professional Interpreters, Inc., Connect Insurance, Safeway, ACE Hardware, Walmart, MegaFoods, Dutch Bros, Starbucks and Enterprise Oil Change.

The weather may have dampened the ground, but not our spirits.  The event was a success even with a sprinkle of liquid sunshine.  We can’t wait to do this again next year.  Mark your calendars for Aug. 5!

NOLA Neighborhood Association now meets at Free Methodist Church, 4455 Silverton Road N.E.  Monthly meetings are the first Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Our next meeting will be Sept. 3rd. For more info on everything NOLA, visit www.cityofsalem.net/NOLA.

City Manager Namburi and Mayor Hoy visiting the Parks Planning booth staffed by Ray Joseph and Rob Romanek at the 2025 NANNO

-Submitted by Deanna Garcia, chair

South Central Association of Neighbors

While SCAN is taking a break for the month of August, we invite you to join us for our September meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 10 at South Salem High School, 1910 Church Street S.E.

In the meantime, give us a follow on Instagram @scansalemofficial and on Facebook at Facebook.com/scansalem. We help you stay connected to the neighborhood by highlighting events, volunteer opportunities and more!

– Submitted by Alma Whalen, SCAN neighbor

Southeast Association of Neighbors

State Rep. Tom Andersen will attend the Aug. 26 SESNA meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Richmond Park (bring a chair!), 540 Richmond Ave. S.E. We’re excited to re-connect with our state rep. for District 19 (and he wants to hear from YOU).

We’ll also learn how Salem is protecting its drinking water, from the city’s new public information officer for public works, Jason Roberts.

Concerned about airport noise while you’re sleeping? Learn a possible approach to reducing this noise. This is our last meeting in the park, back to Wesleyan Capital Park Church on Sept. 23.

–Submitted by Shannon Priem, chair

Southwest Association of Neighbors

Our next regularly scheduled meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 6:30 p.m.

Unless otherwise specified, all SWAN meetings are the first Tuesday of the month from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church 3737 Liberty Rd. S.

The Liberty Road entrance is easy to miss. This is a Google Maps link to what seems to be the best entrance: Winola Street off of Madrona – west of Liberty. 

Salem’s Southwest Association of Neighbors gives you a voice in your local neighborhood and the city as a whole. Everyone is welcome to attend the neighborhood meeting and be part of a team currently working on improving our community.

Want to speak at a neighborhood association meeting?  Want to ask that a topic be included for discussion? Send your request to the neighborhood association chair, Ted Burney  at [email protected].

-Submitted by Debbie Miller, board member

STORY TIP OR IDEA? Send an email to Salem Reporter’s news team: [email protected].

A MOMENT MORE, PLEASE– If you found this story useful, consider subscribing to Salem Reporter if you don’t already. Work such as this, done by local professionals, depends on community support from subscribers. Please take a moment and sign up now – easy and secure: SUBSCRIBE.