The board of the Salem Area Mass Transit District meets Thursday, May 25, to consider applying to a federal grant to support its accessible shop-and-ride service, which takes people with disabilities to Fred Meyer and Walmart.
City News
YOUR GOVERNMENT: Council looks at grant to improve tree canopy
The Salem City Council meets Monday, May 22, at 6 p.m. to consider steps to promote wildfire prevention, a repeal of its sit-lie ordinance and new equipment at the Willow Lake Water Pollution Control Facility.
Yet to open, Salem’s homeless navigation center could be out of money by 2025
The city of Salem has invested millions of dollars into the navigation center, which promises to fill a missing link in vital services for people who are homeless. City leaders are banking on state help to keep the long-awaited center running.
State funding will pay for housing, shelter beds for hundreds in Salem area
Local service providers have until January to get 185 households rapidly into housing and add 207 new shelter beds in Marion and Polk counties.
What’s next for Salem sidewalks and parks
Upcoming projects planned for the coming year include improvements at Geer Community Park, added pedestrian safety and a community microgrid.
Library director resigns for job in Beaverton
After 13 months leading Salem’s libraries, Kim Carroll has accepted a job to be closer to her family. The city will again be hiring for a new top librarian for the second time in two years.
United Way plans affordable tiny home development for Salem seniors
The nonprofit is kicking off a fundraising campaign to build a $3 million village of 400-square-foot cottages near Swegle Elementary School in east Salem. Rent would be capped at $500 a month.
Salem Police Department seeks 15 new officers to focus on property crime, community patrols
City leaders say both a payroll tax and an increase in the city’s utility bill fee are needed if the city is to fund additional police officers. Chief Trevor Womack said the department’s budget increases over the past decade haven’t been enough to keep up with population growth.
City to buy former Boise Cascade lot downtown in hopes of redevelopment
The property at 295 Commercial St S.E. was slated for a rehabilitation facility before the company decided the improvement wasn’t financially feasible. Salem will spend $3.5 million on the purchase.
Salem waits for announcement from unnamed airline
The city of Salem is in the final stretch to bring commercial air service back to the state capital. Officials say the airline wants to be certain the terminal and federal approval will be ready in time before announcing a start date.