The City of Salem will be applying for two grants. A nearly $4,000,000 ITEP State Transportation grant would provide streetscape improvements downtown and a $484,900 grant would fund more improvements to Bryan Memorial Park.
The proposed improvements were outlined in public hearings before Monday’s city council meeting.
Milano and Grunloh Engineer Michael Hardick gave a brief description of each grant before public comments were taken.
He says the ITEP grant would cover a number of downtown improvements.
“Doing the boulevard, the storm sewer, the sidewalk,” Hardick said. If you have an ADA access ramp you need, you’ll have access there eventually. There will be a lot of lighting downtown.”
The project area would be bounded by U.S. 50 from Pearl to Jefferson, McMackin Street from Pearl to Broadway and Broadway from Alley to Church Street. If approved, the city would have to provide a 20-percent match or $791,997. Questions were asked about getting bikes off sidewalks and help for the blind in using crosswalks. Hardick said nothing was included for bike traffic but if the grant is approved consideration could be given to assist the blind.
Hardick says several improvements are included in the Bryan Memorial Park improvements.
“The project will be including a pickleball court, a playground shelter, some restrooms, and other items. As far as the storybook goes, you’ll have platforms throughout the sidewalk that tell the story of Salem, that will be a good addition for the park. There will be some paint markings, trash cans, benches, all of that would be included.”
The new restrooms and pavilion would be next to the inclusive playground where some have complained of the inconvenience of having to pack up kids to take them to the bathrooms near the band stage. Questions were raised about tree care and its impact on disc golf and about providing a cover for the Bryan Park stage. The city would have to provide 50-percent matching funds if the grant is approved.
The city feels letters of support will help the applications.
