Welcome to The Salem Partnership's website. The partnership differs from other business organizations as its role is to focus on large economic development projects. Presently, its focus is on:
The renovation and expansion of the Courts Complex in Salem
This has been a longtime project for The Partnership. We are happy to report that the renovation and expansion of the J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center is now complete and in full use by district, juvenile, superior and housing courts. The former Baptist Church is now the Law Library and is the cornerstone of the new courts complex. The Law Library is open to the public. We encourage you to visit it as it is truly magnificent.
Two remaining components of this project are:
- Renovation of the Family and Probate Court. This project is scheduled and hopefully will begin soon.
- Reuse of superior court and county commissioners buildings. A feasibility study is being finalized and it is hoped that reuse of these historic structures will happen in the near future.
The Salem Port Development Project
- An important part of this project is the ferry service from Salem to Boston. The Nathaniel Bowditch is now in its seventh year of operation. A new company, Boston Harbor Cruises, is operating the ferry this year. Details on price and departure times can be found at www.salemferry.com.
- A $20 M plan is underway to improve the site. Phase I is completed. The next phase, estimated at $3 M will include construction of the approach section, the first 200 ft. of dock, installation of floating docks & accessible gangways and partial dredging. This phase is scheduled to begin soon.
- When completed, the port facility will include a permanent terminal building, a harbor walk, dock facilities not only for the Salem Ferry but also for cruise ships, and commercial and pleasure boats. The goal is to return the waterfront to an economic resource and provide a pleasant venue on Salem Harbor for visitors and residents alike.
The Creative Economy
- The Salem Partnership and the Enterprise Center at Salem State University initiated the Creative Economy Initiative on the North Shore in 2004. It was and still is our belief that this segment of the Massachusetts economy is a powerful economic engine for our region and it is the consensus of all involved that this has been a most successful undertaking. See achieved goals under “current projects” elsewhere on this page.
- The Salem Partnership and the Enterprise Center at Salem State University have now entered into a collaborative agreement with Montserrat College of Art to move this initiative forward on a larger scale. The goal now is to grow existing creative economy companies, initiate new ones and to act as an economic catalyst between big businesses and entrepreneurs in the creative economy industry.
Parking Garage at the MBTA train station
- This project was reinitiated by the Salem Partnership in 2008. It was a natural follow up to the courts complex project. In 2012, the project is on a fast track. Three public meetings were held in February, April and June 2012. The design is at 30% and the MBTA will hold a fourth public meeting in September when the 60% design will be presented.
- On June 15, 2012, it was announced that an additional $5 M of funding has been secured for the Salem MBTA garage project. This vastly improves the previous plan, adding an extra level of parking, enhancing pedestrian and site conditions, and completing the external restoration of the historic signal tower which is located on the project site. Securing this additional funding adds a key component to the overall success of this project, as it will bring the total number of spaces in the garage from 553 to over 700. In addition, the funding affords opportunity for some aesthetic improvements to the original plan, which will be highlighted by the preservation of the longtime decaying signal tower.
Essex Street Pedestrian Mall
- The conceptual plan was approved by the SRA in April 2012. To minimize disruption from construction, the City has decided to implement the improvements in phases. The first phase consists of the proposed removal of landscaping beds, the circular concrete planter, and the bulletin board kiosk. These items will be replaced with brick to match the existing brick surface. This work will be done as soon as possible. The removal of the fountain at Washington Street, inclusion of a water element, adjustment of the cobblestones, and other elements will be addressed in future phases.
- During this past year, the City of Salem, PEM and The Salem Partnership have continued to pursue funding for this project. This spring, the city was awarded a grant by the National Endowment for the Arts to create policies and procedures for Public Art. This effort is being undertaken in conjunction with the redesign of the pedestrian mall.
Community Advisory Board for Salem Public Schools
- This is a new initiative for the Partnership. This committee was recently established to serve as a vehicle for community input into advancing the public schools. The goal of the committee is to serve as a resource for both businesses and residents to have their ideas and concerns heard and to obtain feedback on their efforts. The committee will also present ideas and make recommendations. Aiding in the turnaround and advocating for the Salem Public Schools is the ultimate objective.
- Membership of the Community Advisory Board is composed of a cross section of community leaders to more effectively serve as a liaison between the Mayor, Superintendent, School Committee and the greater Salem community. A list of members and the recent activities of the committee can be found under “current projects”.
The word "partnership" means collaboration and cooperation, and that is what The Salem Partnership is ----- a coming together of all segments of the community to better serve the Greater Salem area, and to thus make it a better place to live, work and visit. We hope that you, the residents and business people of greater Salem, will use this website to communicate with us. Please feel free to contact me at any time with comments or suggestions.
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Patricia H. Zaido
Executive Director