Two members of the Salem City Council said at Monday night’s meeting they were not ready to surplus Edith Kell Park on South Washington Street for possible residential development. Royce Bringwald and Gerald Molenhour said they favored keeping the eight-acre park as it is for now.
Councilman Frank Addison noted parkland on the south side was inadequate, but Edith Kell Park is too far south, and he was not in favor of holding it.
Mayor Nic Farley is interested in surplussing the property and seeking bids to determine interest from developers. One potential developer has expressed interest in the land, resulting in the issue being brought up. Farley doesn’t feel the eight-acre park could be a large residential development but could have room for several homes. Part of the park is in the flood plain, limiting development there. Farley promised they would not look at the land for a mobile home park that was proposed the last time the city was looking to surplus the property.
Farley plans to bring the issue up again at a council meeting in October, when councilman Craig Morton is in attendance.
At least four members of the council have to agree to any sale of land.
At one time, Edith Kell Park had baseball fields but now has only a single basketball hoop and two concrete pads.
