Develop better connections between East and West Salem -  The City Center is uniquely positioned with activity on either side of the Willamette River and in close proximity to the wonderful community asset of Minto Island.  Salem Vision 2020 participants are seeking more ways to connect the City Center to West Salem for recreation, shopping, dining, and work.

               - Union Street Railroad Bridge Coversion Project

               - Minto Island Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge

Improve bicycle facilities; add more bike lanes and pedestrian bike paths - Salem Vision 2020 participants sought connections for bicycles to and through the City Center: more dedicated on street lanes leading to and through the City Center, off-street multi-use paths, use of alleyways for bike travel, and additional striping and visible barriers at key intersections to ensure adequate space for cyclists.

Enhance pedestrian friendly, clean and attractive sidewalks and streetscape - Salem residents, employees and visitors desire clean, uncluttered, and attractive streets in the City Center, and 97% of survey respondents ranked this project of highest importance.  To create a more welcoming and inviting walkable environment, Salem Vision 2020 participants envisioned protected pedestrian paths, lanes, wide sidewalks or alleyways with humanscale, attractive storefront windows, public art, and green pockets to enhance the pedestrian experience of the City Center.

Create more riverfront and creek side corridors and trails - Salem’s City Center is located along the banks of the Willamette River and Pringle Creek.  Mill Creek and Mill Race meander through downtown on their way to the Willamette River.  Recent public investment has created a new urban park, Riverfront Park, which draws people from the downtown business district to the Willamette River.  Community members suggested these and other natural assets within the City Center should be promoted with better signage and access.

Other:

Support a third Willamette River traffic bridge - Community input from Salem Vision 2020 suggests there is a lot of support for efforts to reduce vehicular congestion traveling between downtown and West Salem. The Salem River Crossing project is being coordinated by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and City of Salem and requires that decision making adhere to the federal National Environmental Policy Act process.

Develop a trolley, shuttle, or other people-mover with local/regional connections -Many Salem residents and employees have expressed interest in some type of frequent and reliable shuttle with dedicated service inside the City Center. As envisioned, a shuttle, trolley, or other “people mover,” would carry  residents, employees, and visitors to and from select locations in the City Center such as the Transit Mall, Capitol Mall, Salem Hospital, Willamette University, Salem Center, etc.

Actively manage City Center parking resources -  A vibrant City Center will balance vehicle access and parking with frequent, reliable transit service, bike, and pedestrian nodes. This idea supports coordinated efforts to provide suffi cient parking for visitors, residents, employees, and business owners.

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