The Salem City Council has given Economic Development Director Leah Dellicarpini permission to pursue the purchase of a vacant lot at 203 West McMackin Street provided the cost is not over $45,000.
She anticipates the lot becoming the centerpiece of downtown activities since Broadway and Main Street are off limits because they are state highways.
“We’ve talked about the park. We don’t have a covered stage out there so looking at some sort of venue that can be multi-purpose for concerts, art contests, farmers markets, those types of things. A space we can drive foot traffic to and hopefully get them downtown and enjoying it. With the goal of spurring more retail development downtown in the future. The more foot traffic we direct that way, the more likely that becomes.”
Dellicarpini says the city may look at construction of some sort of structure that could provide a shaded area on the lot that is directly west of the city’s new downtown parking lot.
In other action:
- Police Chief Kyle Ambuehl was given permission to add a fifth new squad car in next year’s budget to a lease-purchase agreement with Enterprise Leasing.
- Three more cameras will be purchased from Security Alarm for the city hall at a cost of $4,732.
- A $25,000 fireworks display was approved for the 4th of July over the Salem Reservoir. Salem Tourism will pay $10,000 of the cost.
- The council tabled a request from Library Director Kim Keller for a no-interest $50,000 loan to replace five aging HVAC units. Keller was questioned about the need to replace all the units now and was told a three percent interest rate is normally paid on inter-fund loans.
- The council approved the placement of blue ribbons on light poles and planters downtown in April to raise awareness of child abuse during Child Abuse Prevention Month.
