Category City Hall
Union Street would become pedestrian walkway under Salem city councilor’s proposal
Cyclists cross the Union Street Railroad Bridge on Thursday, July 30. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Salem City Councilor Virginia Stapleton wants Salem to imagine having a dedicated bicycle and pedestrian lane on Union Street that people could use to travel from west Salem or downtown to…
Salem area officials worry bill to decriminalize homelessness will just lead to more litigation
Dogs stand outside of a camp at Cascades Gateway City Park on March 2, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Marion County officials say a bill making its way through the Legislature aimed at decriminalizing homelessness would create more legal headaches for local governments. House Bill 3115,…
As Salem begins budget process, strategic plan will help guide priorities
For Courtney Knox Busch, the mark of a good strategic plan is that Salem residents can see their input and feel they have an impact on city operations. The city of Salem strategic initiatives manager was tasked with funneling hundreds of pieces of input on…
Salem climate survey finds differing priorities between task force, survey takers
Salem’s Climate Action Plan task force held its first workshop Wednesday, Nov. 17. Salem residents recently surveyed preferred community improvement strategies like repairing sidewalks and planting more trees over more aggressive measures to combat climate change. Their responses stand in contrast to priorities from a…
Salem City Council approves temporary managed camp for unsheltered people on Portland Road
The Salem City Council on Monday approved a resolution which created a managed camp on Portland Road. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) Expect to see a row of small, white buildings when traveling on Portland Road in the coming weeks. It’s the city’s latest effort to address…
How the pandemic is frustrating Salem library patrons
Angela Rodman holds her daughter, Harper, 3, while teaching a geography lesson to her older children, Bennett, 9, left, and Ainsleigh, 7, during homeschooling on Friday, March 12, 2020. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) In recent months, Angela Rodman has driven 30 minutes from Salem to libraries…
Local governments in Salem area prepare for unexpected $115 million infusion of federal cash
The floodgates on the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act have been lifted and Marion and Polk counties are expecting money to begin pouring in. Local governments will soon find themselves flush with cash they were unsure would be approved just a few months ago.…
Mayor points to city efforts to reduce homelessness in annual address
Salem Mayor Chuck Bennett films a video acceptance for a literacy award on Thursday, April 9. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Salem has emerged from a year of fire, ice, pandemic and protest with much to be proud of, Mayor Chuck Bennett told residents during his State…
City survey finds residents support sustainable parks maintenance, efforts to address affordable housing gaps
Salem City Hall. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Salem residents think identifying gaps in affordable housing and opening a sobering center would be helpful to addressing key issues identified in a strategic plan update the Salem City Council will vote on Monday, according to a recent survey.…