The Salem City Council and Mayor gave their input on what they see as strengths and weaknesses of the city at Monday night’s meeting.
The information will be used as a consultant works on a new ten-year comprehensive plan for the city.
The council members and mayor saw strength in the city’s location, a lot of land for development, affordability compared to other cities, relatively low crime, a good industrial base, good schools and a community college, the hospital and great parks.
Areas that needed improvement included westside development, rebuilding single family housing stock, filling vacant commercial buildings, finding help for those with mental illness, and dealing with the homeless population.
Threats to the city included aging infrastructure, reduced grant funding opportunities, and flooding.
The council set some goals as developing a new industrial park, expansion of industries, backfill of new homes onto vacant lots, and development of a new subdivision.
Meetings have already been held for citizens and the planning commission to give their input.
