Salem Historic Preservation Plan Update

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​The City of Salem is updating its 2010-2020 Historic Preservation Plan. Historic buildings, sites and objects are reminders of a community's past and components of "cultural identity." Familiar, beautiful landmarks provide an emotional anchor and a sense of orientation to what is around them.

In addition to protecting this beauty, historic preservation is important for four other reasons: economic, environmental, cultural and education. The existing Historic Plan's five goals reflect those reasons:

• Code improvements
• Public education
• Incentives (economic and recognition)
• Survey
• Heritage tourism

Salem has successfully completed a majority of tasks from the existing plan and has hired a qualified preservation consultant, Painter Preservation, to help the Historic Landmarks Commission with an assessment of the work completed to-date.

The consultant will also help create a needs assessment and updated goals and tasks for the next ten years. The work is grant-funded by Certified Local Government, which promotes local historic preservation, and supported by city staff. Contact us at 503-540-2347 or [email protected].

How can I get involved?

You will have opportunities to participate throughout the project, including:

• Historic Landmarks Commission Stakeholder Advisory Committee
• Open houses
• Online surveys

• ​Establish a Historic Landmarks Commission Stakeholder Advisory Committee. Members will be representatives of the Commission and other stakeholders, who will oversee work of the staff and consultant.

• Survey the community and host one open house to evaluate and assess Salem's Historic Preservation Program and the adopted goals, including:

  1. Historic Preservation Code and design review process
  2. Outreach and education
  3. Incentives
  4. Survey and designation
  5. Heritage tourism

• ​The Consultant will work with staff and the Stakeholder Advisory Committee to develop alternative solutions and recommendations for issues identified with the Needs Assessment
• Survey the community and host one open house to present alternatives and recommendations for updates to the Preservation Plan.

• ​The Consultant will work with staff and the Stakeholder Advisory Committee to develop action items, implantation steps and timelines for the Historic Preservation Plan Update.
• The Draft Historic Preservation Plan Update will be presented to the Historic Landmarks Commission at a regularly scheduled public meeting.

​Resources

Charting the Right Course for Your Local Preservation Program

Tips on Running a Successful Historic Preservation Program, Colorado Municipal League

The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Preservation Planning 

APA Policy Guide on Historical and Cultural Resources 

Preparing a Historic Preservation Plan 

How Planners Plan for Historic Preservation 

Human-Centered Built Environment Heritage Preservation