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2006 State of the City Address
Mayor Janet Taylor
Thank you. It is wonderful to see everyone here and I look forward to highlighting the many accomplishments our beautiful City has made in the last year.
First I would like to thank Salem Rotary and its President Spencer Taylor - Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and its Executive Director Mike McLaran and its President Kris Gorsuch, and Salem City Club and its President Carla Mikkelson for hosting this long tradition of sponsoring the State of the City.
I would also like to acknowledge the constant support I receive from my husband, Duane Taylor. He is a great listener - even though he really has little choice!!!!
This is my fourth State of the City – and it is an honor and privilege to continue to serve as your Mayor. Giving the State of the City report for the first time in Salem’s new Conference Center is very special to me. The one year anniversary of the official opening is only two weeks from now, and its success is greater than we could have hoped it to be:
· making a profit in the first year of operation;
· bringing heightened exposure to our beautiful historic downtown;
· and welcoming guests both local and out of the area.
The outstanding operation of this conference center is due to the excellent management of Vips Industries, and the many employees who work so professionally on every function. Our genuine thanks to them from the Salem community.
I see Salem as optimistic, energetic, and looking towards the future. Your Council has put their emphasis on public safety, economic development, infrastructure, downtown, and our neighborhoods. Progress is being made due to the efforts of your volunteer Councilors who represent a broad spectrum of views and a wide range of skills. You elected the very best in our community and I am honored to serve with them. Would those Councilors whose full time jobs allowed them to attend today please stand as I call your name and I ask that you hold your applause, please.
Frank Walker representing Ward 1 – Frank represents the NE area and part of downtown. He has diligently worked with the neighborhood associations in his Ward and with individuals who have benefitted from his city planning and land use knowledge to resolve some thorny issues.
Jim Randall representing Ward 2 – Jim is our current Council President. He represents part of downtown, and a portion of SE and South Salem. Jim works closely with the six neighborhood associations in his ward where he is a strong advocate for their concerns and for protection of the existing residential and historic areas.
Brad Nanke represents Ward 3 and is in his sixth year representing the South and Southeast part of Salem. He works very hard with his neighborhood associations, and is an advocate for government efficiency. Brad was just elected as Chair of the Budget Committee.
T. J. Sullivan represents Ward 4 in South Salem. T.J. was the force behind the successful efforts to build four new parks over the next two years, with potential maintenance partnerships with neighborhoods. His support for the expansion of Kuebler Road has resulted in the federal funding to move this project forward.
Rick Stucky represents Ward 5 and is beginning his sixth year on Council from the North – NE district. Rick is a strong advocate for workforce housing in our downtown and for continuing the excellent progress in developing the Hollywood Station project.
Bruce Rogers represents Ward 6, which is the NE area. Bruce understands the importance of City infrastructure and serves on several committees involving maintenance of our streets, sewers, and water sources. His continuing service on the Santiam Watershed Council is invaluable in protecting our pristine water source.
Brent DeHart represents Ward 7 in South Salem. Brent has been a stalwart supporter of Public Safety. He serves on the Marion County Public Safety Coordinating Committee, and was instrumental in the efforts to request that City employees agree to random drug testing. In addition, he is leading the effort to investigate making Salem a totally “WI-FI” city.
Dan Clem represents Ward 8, which is the West Salem area. Dan has been a strong advocate for a third bridge across the Willamette River to move freight, residents, and emergency vehicles more quickly. His efforts with our federal elected officials resulted in the earmark of $2.5 million awarded for the environmental study to be started this year. Dan also worked with Salem, Keizer, Marion and Polk counties to support the action to move forward with this important project with a unified voice.
My sincere thanks to all eight Councilors for your dedication to your community.
Council sets the policies and goals for the future, but it is the City Manager, staff and employees who implement the policies.
I would like to recognize our Department Directors and Division Heads. Please stand while I introduce you so that you can be recognized. I ask that you hold your applause, please.
City Manager Bob Wells
Assistant City Manager Linda Norris
Police Chief Gerry Moore
Fire Chief Mike Knode
Urban Development Director Rick Scott
Assistant Urban Development Director John Wales
Human Resources Director Connie Munnell
Public Works Director Tim Gerling
Community Development Director Vickie Woods
Airport Division – Alan Alexander
Building and Safety Division – Tom Phillips
Planning Division – Glenn Gross
Community Services Director Ed Jochums
Library Director Gail Warner
City Attorney Randall Tosh
Finance Director - Interim General Services Director Tony Mounts
Municipal Court Judge Frank Gruber
A special note about Alan Alexander, our Airport Division Head – Alan just returned from a year in Iraq serving in the National Guard, flying Blackhawk helicopters. We are happy to have you home safe, Alan.
Thanks to all of you for your professionalism, for working so well with your Mayor and Councilors, and improving our City every day.
I also want to recognize all of the administrative employees and those who work in the field. They are the highly trained people who do the day to day work, from answering phones to repairing sewer lines, to maintaining the parks, to inspecting building projects, you name it – in good and bad weather – with an outstanding customer service attitude, and a passion for their community. Thank you for the great job you do for Salem.
We have many challenges in the months ahead – creating more jobs, keeping neighborhoods safe, replacing streets and sidewalks, new fire engines, dealing with tight budgets, and growth and land use issues. But we truly are in a special time in the history of our City with high quality leadership at all levels from business and civic groups, to non-profits, universities, and elected officials from Marion and Polk Counties to State and Federal offices. It is a time when we can accomplish so much, and this last year it became apparent that great things were happening in Salem.
At the City Government level, Bob Wells has been City Manager for 18 months. During that time he has accomplished re-organization of some departments, encouraged a teamwork approach, and brought the customer service attitude to the forefront.
We are very pleased to have Bob’s leadership assisted by Assistant City Manager, Linda Norris, who has worked with department directors to develop diversity hiring strategies, stepped into temporary department director positions as transitions occurred, and handled the completion of agreements related to the Conference Center. The result of their leadership of the City is efficiencies of operation, balanced budgets without major service cuts, living within our means and using tax dollars wisely.
Public Safety has been at the top of Council goals. The addition of 10 more Police Officers gives our newly appointed Police Chief, Gerry Moore, some of the tools he needs to continue to reduce crime. These additional officers allowed the expansion of staffing of the Traffic Control Unit and the formation of a Drug Activity Response Team to partner with the “No Meth Not in My Neighborhood” team. Last year, 584 drug house complaints were investigated by the team and 269 children were removed from dangerous living conditions.
Statistics show that 98% of property crimes occur in neighborhoods that do not have an active neighborhood watch program. To engage the neighbors in crime reduction, the Police Department has been the leader in revitalizing the neighborhood watch program to include more participation and awareness of suspicious activities through a strong education effort and steps towards community policing principles.
I am proposing that we expand the concept of community policing by establishing police sub-stations in vulnerable areas for greater visibility and easier access for our residents. It has been proven in other cities that a more visible presence by law enforcement can be a substantial deterrent for crime. By developing relationships with the neighbors, especially the children, we can have a strong preventative and enforcement program. Safe neighborhoods make a City stronger.
Our Fire Department, led by Fire Chief Mike Knode, is another important component of our public safety. The department successfully transitioned ambulance transport services to a private company creating 62 new jobs, and improving response times. The tenth roving engine company resulting from this change will operate from a temporary location, the first new location since 1982. This will allow the Fire Department to meet the 5-1/2 minute response time on an additional 1,000 calls each year.
Even with these changes, it has become apparent that our aging fire equipment, the need for permanent stations in East Salem and West Salem, and for seismic upgrades to two other stations has reached a critical point. At issue is that Salem voters have not passed a general obligation bond measure in 10 years, and a fire department bond measure in 20 years. Just as you put a new roof on your house when it starts leaking or add new machinery to your business, a city needs to re-invest in its infrastructure.
Council has approved placing a $24.7 million dollar Fire bond measure on the November ballot. This will not raise your property taxes, as previous bonds are being paid off at a rapid rate. For example, if you owned a home worth $150,000.00 in 1996, $325.00 of your tax bill would have paid General Obligation (GO) bond debt, this year it was $111.00 and next year $78.00. In five years it would be zero. Passing the Fire Department bond measure will keep the GO bond tax at approximately the current $111.00.
Being GO bond debt-free sounds good, but deferral of expanding fire services can be costly in human terms. It was with very careful consideration that the Fire Department bond measure was selected as the most critical to take to the voters.
Another department that re-invests in our community is the Urban Development Department led by Rick Scott. The conference Center where we meet today and the Mill Creek Industrial Park were major projects for Urban Development. Urban Renewal tax dollars are also leveraged through toolbox and special housing programs to revitalize blighted areas and attract private investment, which is now evident in the revitalization of downtown. Four of the large, historic buildings that were vacant for so long were purchased by private parties, and are now undergoing renovation for mixed-use, with restaurants, retail and 40 second floor housing units. $5.5 million in loans and grants, plus $17 million in private investment, are improving 30 buildings downtown.
North of downtown at Broadway and Market, a Special Housing Loan along with private investment will result in new YWCA offices, 60 units of affordable housing, and a new retail-commercial project. Across the street, the sale of City property will result in a new office building, and on Jan. 20th a Request For Proposals was released for the old Eagles site.
On Portland Road at Hollywood Station, the Urban Development Department is negotiating with a development team for 80 housing units, 15,000 square feet of retail-commercial, and a new Senior Center funded by the sale of the existing Senior Center.
Continued investment in our other infrastructure – the streets, water, and sewer systems, falls to Public Works led by Tim Gerling. The multi-million dollar expansion of our wastewater treatment plant and new water transmission line are on track to meet budget and DEQ regulations by 2010. Public Works designed and constructed a mile of large water and sewer lines in under six months to bring the first phase of the Mill Creek Industrial Park open for development this Spring with the costs paid by the developer through connection charges.
Although we have not passed a transportation bond measure in 10 years, Council has strongly supported identifying funds for our streets. In 2005, Public Works put nearly $4.5 million dollars into rehabilitating the paving of many City streets, nearly double a typical year’s efforts. Even with these extremely large projects to handle, Public Works has aggressively managed their costs to have only a 2% increase in their operating budget compared to four years ago. They have demonstrated outstanding management of taxpayer dollars.
Community Services, led by Director Ed Jochums, has responsibility for the operation of the Senior Center. The current Center received National Accreditation by the National Institute of Senior Centers, a division of the Nation Council on Aging. Our Center is one of 15,000 across the country, with only 120 accredited. Salem’s is the first in the states of Oregon and Washington to receive this recognition.
Community Services also worked with the Parks Advisory Board to use the parks “system development charges” paid by builders on each home they build, to construct new ball fields. Later this Spring we will have a dedication of the two new soccer fields and two new baseball fields at State and Hawthorne which are in Councilor Rogers’ Ward . When you consider the addition of four new neighborhood parks to be constructed over the next two years and the continued support we provide for the middle school Power program, and you can see that we are providing more places for children to have positive experiences.
Another outdoor amenity related to our parks is the trail system. Councilor Randall worked with a citizen group that has made good progress towards creating a bridge and trail linking Minto Island Park to the south end of Riverfront Park. As we work with Boise Cascade on the easement, we are also moving forward on the design phase of the railroad bridge from the north end of Riverfront Park across the Willamette River to Wallace Marine Park.
The railroad bridge is now on the National Register of Historic Places, and has proven to be a very strong structure with only moderate repairs required. The walking and bike surface can be of a type that can allow emergency fire and police units to move from the east side to the west side of the river. This additional access to West Salem could be extremely useful in the event of an incident on our existing bridges. As we move forward with grant applications, we welcome donations to a special fund established at the City to support this project.
Speaking of positive experiences and stretching taxpayer dollars!!! Have you been to the library lately? Our library has developed innovative programs from exciting music and dance to the Super Bowl on the big screen, with three sell-out events. Our thanks to Director Gail Warner, and her staff, for the increased revenue, attendance, and for the continued success of their popular bookmobile program. One of the staff, B. J. Quinlan received the Oregon Library Association’s Distinguished Service Award for 2005.
Council policy has focused on becoming more efficient and finding ways to do the job at less cost. Our new Finance Director, Tony Mounts, will be moving many city operations into e-government which will result in savings in mailings for water and sewer bills that can be paid on-line; issuance of permits through the city website; and, providing information to the public.
Efficiencies in providing other services – Police, Fire, 911, Code Enforcement – can be gained by annexing property that is in the County, but surrounded by property in the City limits. These islands or “enclaves” make co-ordination of services more expensive and difficult than necessary. For example, often graffiti enforcement occurs on one side of the street that is in the city, but not on the other side in the county. By becoming part of our City, these residents who use our City streets and parks will participate in paying for their maintenance – an issue of tax fairness. In addition to enclaves, we have signed agreements from many property owners to annex into the City to be able to hook up to City water and sewer service. Over 35 of these annexations will be on a special election on Sept. 19.
Community Development led by Vickie Woods is responsible for preparing these annexations for the ballot, which takes many hours of staff time due to voter required annexations. This department recently completed some streamlining of code regulations; completion of the residential development standards; and, preparation of other ordinances with the support of the development community, garbage haulers, neighborhoods, and other interested citizens. By emphasizing a strong customer service attitude and improved time frames for the issuance of building permits, Tom Philips, the Building Administrator, recently received the National Administrator of the Year Award from the National Homebuilders Association. This entire Department is working with the community to encourage dollar investments that make our City strong.
In this day and age, legal contracts and clear code and ordinances for land use are an important part of a well-run City. City Attorney Randall Tosh has provided a strong legal voice to resolve code interpretations, gives solid direction to Council during our meetings, and he has consistently worked with the community to resolve issues. In the area of regulatory reform, the Legal Department guided us through the adoption of new purchasing rules, and they successfully completed the very complicated legal work involved in establishing the Mill Creek Industrial District and the Urban Renewal area that will pay for the infrastructure.
Municipal Judge Frank Gruber is retiring this year, and his service will be missed. He has dealt with everything from parking tickets to arrests, with compassion and respect for others, which reflects well on our City operations. We hope to see someone with these skills elected to this position.
When we have other job openings at the City, our Human Resources Director, Connie Munnel, and her staff have brought us high quality recruitments. With our emphasis on diversity and hiring to better reflect our 25% minority community, they have worked hard to expand our pool of potential employees. During the contract negotiations with our three largest unions that are handled by this department, agreement was reached for random drug testing, showing their commitment to a drug-free work place. They set an example for the entire community.
For the last three years your Mayor and Council have put a great deal of focus on economic development, especially obtaining good family wage jobs. It has been painful to see the jobs lost from the closing and downsizing of businesses, but there is much being done to move forward with new opportunities. Our economies as a City, State and Nation are dealing with changing times, but we have what it takes in Salem to be economically stable.
We are receiving national attention on the Mill Creek Industrial Park– a successful project developed through the combined efforts of SEDCOR, the City of Salem, and State of Oregon. The Request for Proposals is closing soon, with two strong proposals for the first 146 acres of warehouse-distribution space, a required minimum of a $75 million dollar investment producing 500 to 800 new jobs. It will take State property that paid no property taxes and by using the Urban Renewal tax increment method, which results in the development paying for the infrastructure, it will end up with an assessed value at build-out of $350 to $400 million dollars.
The second phase is also in the RFP process for a master developer of the next 150 acres, with strong responses from both Oregon and National companies. As this property begins to develop next year, we will see the results of over ten years of diligent efforts to bring good private sector jobs to Salem. Our sincere thanks to Governor Kulongoski for his support of this project through his “shovel ready” program.
Another creative method to open up industrial land inside our City limits is the proposed Urban Renewal and Local Improvement District for McGilchrist Street. With job-creating projects on the drawing board for construction within the next year, this area near the airport and I-5 freeway will be an important addition to our industrial lands base.
At Salem Hospital, our largest employer, with important family-wage jobs, an expansion plan is underway to bring efficiencies and more services to our community. The importance of this regional facility to Salem cannot be overstated. A growing, aging population needs top notch medical care and the ability to attract good medical personnel.
Economic development comes in many forms. There has been much discussion about the creative class and the spin-off from universities to make successful cities. We are fortunate in Salem to have a strong working relationship with Willamette University as they move into a major expansion of their campus. In addition to housing for students, they are planning for a $50 million dollar performing arts center. Just think what that can do for us in terms of image, drawing entertainers and tourists from throughout the nation and world.
The City has identified areas where we may be able to help Willamette with their expansion plans and negotiations are underway to relocate the City Data Center, which sits right in the middle of the proposed site. With the vacation of some little-used streets, a site could become available. We look forward to this exciting addition to our arts and culture scene.
Another important piece of economic development is transportation. In addition to the environmental study for a third bridge across the Willamette river, two weeks ago we attended the groundbreaking for the $64 million dollar widening of I-5 to six lanes. This includes the replacement of six bridges, and improving the northbound on-ramp from Kuebler Road. This important corridor for the movement of trucks and autos is a crucial link to our Mill Creek Industrial Park. Our thanks to Congresswoman Darlene Hooley, Senator Gordon Smith, Senator Ron Wyden, Governor Kulongoski, and the Oregon Dept. of Transportation.
Commercial air service is our next challenge. It is difficult to attract some of the high paying jobs to a community without air service – let’s face it – time is money in the business world. We have made significant progress in a difficult industry that is under tremendous financial pressures. We still have strong interest from Horizon Airlines, Allegiant Airlines, and other smaller carriers. Delta Airlines is repositioning their company and expanding into the West Coast from their Salt Lake City hub. It was apparent from the meeting we had with Delta in Atlanta, Georgia in December that our presentation positioned us for serious consideration for service beginning in 2006.
As we celebrate the past accomplishments of recruiting Wachovia and Oregon Aero to Salem, we are also pleased to have the expansion of existing businesses like K/P Graphics, Garmin, and Truitt Bros. Retaining Boise Cascade with their family wage jobs and watching the growth in the construction industry where $20.00 to $30.00 per hour jobs are prevalent, has widened the job choices for our community.
The re-use of existing vacant buildings is especially welcomed. The large State Farm office building on Portland Road has been purchased by an investment group who are putting $2 million into renovation for a Fortune 60 company who will occupy 30,000 square feet, and employ 200 new family wage jobs. State Farm will remain in Salem in a new office building under construction on Hawthorne Ave.
Discussions continue with companies in diverse fields from bio-tech to high tech to plastics. It takes time to attract new companies, along with relationship building, financial incentives, political and community support. There are no “overnight successes” in most business recruiting.
I want to take this moment to thank Larry Glassock, President of SEDCOR, who is retiring next month, for his accomplishments, and the outstanding work of his organization in supporting our existing businesses and recruiting new companies.
As Larry moves to the golf course, I ask you to reach out to support the new President, Ray Burstedt, a man with extensive economic development experience. We look to continued strong membership, and city and county financial support for SEDCOR to give Ray the tools he needs to bring more family wage jobs to our area.
To increase support for economic development from the City government, I am refocusing our efforts through the Salem Economic Recovery Team, to develop a short and long-term strategic plan. By working with targeted leaders, the public, and organizations in the community, we will develop a “business plan for economic prosperity”. We need to identify the types of industries we want to attract to Salem, and those companies that will complement our area. The next step is to be a part of the pro-active recruitment of these companies – demonstrating that there is community, government and political support for business in Salem.
The other benefit of having a long-range plan for our economic future, is the ability to be prepared with priority uses for additional State owned land that will be sold as surplus. As the State moves forward with decisions on the State Hospital and other land, we have the opportunity to guide our future and put these properties back on the tax rolls. The Mill Creek Industrial Park, the Sustainable Fairview mixed-use development, and the Fairview Industrial Park are examples of successful transition from State owned property to well-planned, beneficial new uses.
Last October I accompanied a team including Governor Kulongoski, Larry Glassock, Charlie Allcock from PGE, members of the Port of Portland and the Portland Development Commission to a conference attended by 3,000 company site selectors and real estate consultants. We hosted a gathering and had one-on-one visits with many interested site selectors – putting Oregon, and Salem, back on their map. In April, I plan to attend the next conference in Philadelphia to build on those relationships and contacts.
In addition, I am proposing a Salem booth at the International Conference of Shopping Centers in May to enhance our visibility to the retail and commercial sector. By demonstrating the strong support from the political and city government arenas, we may help our commercial brokers and current mall owners to attract some of the new stores we need to continue as a strong shopping destination.
To further create diversified job opportunities, we will request an appropriation through our Congressional delegation for funds to establish a business incubator program. Statistics show that most job growth is through the small business sector. If we can help new businesses during those difficult early months, we have the potential to grow many new jobs. To further emphasize the importance of this program, I will be traveling to Washington D.C. in March along with Councilors Randall and Rogers, to lobby for this important funding package.
Even as we work on economic issues, we have kept in mind the importance of our beautiful environment. We continue to protect our farmland and the $600 million in gross revenue Marion County agriculture produces each year by encouraging denser development coordinated with bus service by the Transit District. Our innovative wastewater treatment plant expansion that keeps the Willamette River clean was the first design of its kind in the Nation. Council placed strong pesticide controls on City parks maintenance, and a tree ordinance that requires 25% of the existing trees to be retained or replanted during new construction, with special consideration to Oregon White Oaks, and protection of riparian vegetation along our many streams.
One of our most exciting accomplishments is the Mill Creek Industrial Park wetlands plan - an example of combining many small wetland areas into an integrated space that has a higher functioning level, with a public open space and public trail feature. This is the first wetland mitigation of this type in the State and, once again, Salem is a leader in environmental issues.
Salem is no longer the government town of 45,000 people it was when I moved here in 1956. We are the second largest City in the State with the U.S. Census Bureau forecasting 23% growth in the next 15 years. Growth brings vitality, jobs, and arts and cultural opportunities, but it must be managed well. Our livability factor remains strong, and we want to keep it that way – even with people moving here without a pre-secured job. And, of course, let’s not forget that over 4,000 babies were born at Salem Hospital last year. In five years they will be attending school, so I am very pleased that the Salem-Keizer School district has established a Long Term Facilities Planning committee to plan to accommodate growth and balance school enrollment.
As growth continues, Council has taken steps to reduce the impact on neighborhoods by approving multiple family development standards to link setbacks to the height of buildings, more landscaping and buffering requirements, and more notification prior to Planning Commission hearings. For infill areas in our established neighborhoods, we now require better setbacks and slightly larger parcels on flag lots.
Programs have been in place since 2003 to encourage housing choices such as downtown rentals and condos plus the re-development of underutilized parcels along main arterials where frequent bus service is available. We have made it easier for mixed-use with conditional use zoning and overlays. Outstanding examples are the Meridian at Commercial and Mission with condo and office units, a planned condo development at Front St. and Court, and the exciting retail and condos on Liberty St. across from City Hall. Demand remains high for these market rate units and as they are completed we will encourage new large developments to include some workforce housing to help employees who want to live closer to their jobs.
Let’s find a way to embrace the new residents while maintaining our livability. We must strengthen our neighborhoods by increasing participation in neighborhood associations, possibly adopting the Town Hall format so successful in West Salem. Federal assistance for funding to improve train crossings could reduce the need for so many whistle warnings, and partnerships with non-profits like Salem Leadership Foundation and their “City as Neighborhood” can build relationships.
These partnerships extend to support for programs that help those less fortunate. At the City level, Council approved establishing a voluntary donation fund to assist with water and sewer bills, and Councilor Rogers is working to develop lower rates for those on sewer-only services. But even as the City of Salem Housing Authority provides support or management of over 3,000 low-income housing units, we still have homelessness, with over a l,000 homeless children attending school each day. We cannot be the perfect place to live unless everyone has a warm, safe place to call home, and I applaud recent efforts by the Salvation Army, No Meth group, Sheriff Raul Ramirez and Mid-Valley Housing to address this issue.
Other organizations helping lower income children and families will begin capital campaigns to expand their outreach, including the YWCA, YMCA, the Boys and Girls Club new West Salem Branch, and the Salvation Army Kroc Center.
The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center is a “once in a lifetime” opportunity, and it is closer to being a reality. I want to give special recognition to Gerry Frank for his leadership and involvement in leading this effort. I also want to acknowledge the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce who, from the first presentation in Portland, has given strong support for all aspects of this project.
This center with aquatics, gymnasium, arts and crafts, and other features is a $60 million dollar gift to this community; $30 million for construction, and $30 million for an endowment. It will provide for unmet educational and recreational activities through sponsorships and partnerships with many community non-profits, businesses, and individuals. The development and operational sustainability plans are due to be submitted to the Salvation Army Territorial Headquarters by April 3 to show that it is a sustainable project.
To meet the needs of the under-served in our community, the fees for use will be kept very reasonable. Because this may create some operational shortfall, we have formed a committee led by Dick Withnell to ensure that donations of money, building materials, or in-kind services will be available from the community. I know we ask a lot of you, all the time, but this is a very special opportunity that we must not lose. We are finally making progress for the future, and we can’t stop now!!!!
Progress of another type is occurring throughout the mid-Willamette valley - new retail and commercial that has come on line, creating a new vitality for our region. Woodburn Company stores have continued to grow, Bridgeport Village at the Lake Oswego exit, Keizer Station in Keizer, new theaters at Lancaster Mall, West Salem Roths expansion with a Kaiser Permanente branch, development in South Salem, and many others in the planning stages. Some of our residents think we should not allow any more new retail in the Salem area, especially at the interchanges, because it will hurt downtown.
Does local retail and commercial affect downtown? What about the tremendous increase in internet shopping? How about local people who go Portland and the Pearl District to shop? Are the new retail spaces in proposed mixed-use projects competition too? – Should we back away from mixed-use? Is our downtown really threatened? Or in reality, is all the recent, new, multi-million dollar investment in downtown - of buildings being purchased and redeveloped, a much better indicator that there is room for all types of shopping, entertainment, and dining options in our region? Surely these savvy investors must have confidence in downtown’s revitalization.
In the downtown area Kohl’s is rumored to be replacing Mervyns, the new T.J. Maxx store that opened last August is booming with business, and the downtown Meier & Frank will remodel this year and be renamed to reflect the Macy’s ownership. New stores and restaurants will locate in buildings under renovation - the Bishop, Metropolitan, Wards, Andersons, Grant, and Wells Fargo buildings. They will contain commercial, retail and some housing, bringing the vacancy rate from 27% three years ago to 7% today. We have an opportunity to build a shopping destination with wonderful department stores, national brand and local boutique stores, marvelous restaurants, art galleries, and all the other special features of downtown including the Elsinore Theater and Salem Cinema – the sites of our first film festival in April. We have CHARM and HISTORY – and we need to build on it!!!!
The property owners and business owners downtown are working to establish a Development Improvement District (DID) to manage the parking district taxes to take care of the parking garage maintenance, enforcement of parking time zones, general clean-up, security, and marketing. This DID group would eventually have an elected board that represents downtown interests. In the meantime, the City is stepping up to use Urban Renewal funds to make needed infrastructure improvements. In late Spring, major sidewalk renovation will begin in front of the Reed Opera House and Grand Lodge, and we will be installing lights for increased safety on State, Court, and Chemeketa near Front Street.
I would love to see downtown think of itself as a large – open air – mall with a distinct image – last year I suggested the “Diamond District”, but it could be any catchy phrase. Property and business owners could decide for themselves if they want to provide financial support for marketing and the other services by increasing parking district taxes or installing pay and display meters. They may choose to sweep the sidewalks and pick up trash in front of their businesses to reduce maintenance costs, encourage the young people to come back and maintain the kiosks where they post flyers like they promised the Council 18 months ago, and water the planters so downtown looks beautiful.
Could there be a rubber-tired trolley funded to capture more of the lunch and shopping dollars of State workers and Willamette University faculty and students? Is the $120 million in urban renewal taxes our city spent in downtown going to pay off?
While we are waiting to see the outcome of the D I D, we are working on the broader marketing of Salem and the region to draw the tourism trade to our hotels, shops, restaurants, attractions, and conference center. Although the change in tourism contractor for the City created some concerns, the temporary transition into the SCVB/City management has proven to be very successful with Barbara Roberts from Community Services providing outstanding assistance. The new professional Visitors Guide has been an instant hit with our advertisers and tourists, and a true financial success. New partnerships and sponsorships are proving mutually beneficial, from the State Fair to the Wineries. The taxes generated from the overnight hotel stays translate into support for maintenance of Bush House, Deepwood, A.C. Gilbert Discovery Village, and the Carousel, marketing, and support for special events.
The Tourism Task Force met nearly every week for three months to form the basis for a special procurement of a new non-profit contractor with a restructured board and membership model. With over $500,000.00 in City hotel/motel taxes each year contributed to an organization responsible for marketing our City, we will now require City staff and two Councilors to be involved in the decision- making.
Volunteers will play a strong role in the future just as they have in the past. Volunteers who serve on our City Boards and Commissions, as neighborhood chairs, and in civic organizations are critical players in the success of our City. Civic groups like Salem Rotary who built and donated to the City the $200,000.00 Pavilion in Riverfront Park; West Salem Rotary who refurbished the water spray pool in West Salem Park at a cost of $22,000; and, the Marion-Polk Building Industry Association who raised over $10,000.00 to re-roof the historic freight station next to the Amtrak Station on 12th street to preserve it for future use have set the bar for community support at a high level. Our Salem Realtors Association rehabilitated a drug house in Keizer to help our wonderful neighboring city. And of course, we mustn’t forget the Salem Chamber of Commerce who put forth tremendous efforts in all aspects of Salem life and business, from downtown, to the Kroc Center, to City budget analysis. Thank you to all of you for your depth of time, dollars, and caring for your community.
But, you, as individuals, at no cost, can also have a role to play in our city’s future, and that is to become a “Salem Champion”. Spread the word about what an outstanding place we are to visit, live, work, and play - it can have an unbelievable positive influence. Take the example of our Fire Department members who were successful in attracting a large fire professionals’ conference to Salem; the Public Works Department attracted a water conference of 700; Councilor Randall captured the League of Oregon Cities with 600 participants; and, I will bring the Oregon Mayors Association in 2007. These lead to dollars coming into our City; exposure for new business contacts; and, support for our local businesses. I hope you will be a “Salem Champion”.
In closing, I must say how proud I am of Salem. We have made tremendous positive steps. We are investing in our infrastructure; crime is being aggressively addressed; the groundwork for new jobs is in place; and, our downtown is coming alive!!! Diverse interests are sitting down at the table to resolve issues. This provides a foundation for future success. Salem has truly become a City of teamwork – working together for the greater good. Two heads may be better than one, but 142,000 are just pure dynamite!!!
There are those who call me an eternal optimist, but I do not see the world through rose-colored glasses – I see a world of possibilities, and people who can make it happen. Salem has all it takes to be the “Best City in Oregon”. Thank you for letting me be a part of it.
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