Salem Historic Landmarks Awarded $176K In State Preservation Funding

SALEM, MA — The House of the Seven Gables Settlement Association will develop plans to preserve two of the city's historic landmarks as part of $3.8 million in state funding designed to protect coastal communities from the effects of climate change.

As part of the "Preserving History: Coastal Adaptation Masterplan" permitting for construction-ready design plans will be developed to relocate the Counting House and flood-proof the Hooper Hathaway House with the $176,190 award.

The project will address critical coastal and stormwater vulnerabilities for the two publicly accessible buildings, while laying the foundation for future phased-relocation actions.

The Office of Coastal Zone Management will provide funding and technical assistance for 12 projects along the state's coastline through the Coastal Resilience Grant Program.

"Erosion and storm damage already threaten homes, businesses, roads and infrastructure along the 1,500 miles of coastline in Massachusetts, and impacts are getting worse," Gov. Maura Healey said in announcing the funding. "With these Coastal Resilience Grant awards, we are investing in solutions to protect housing affordability, business competitiveness and safety in coastal communities."

The Coastal Resilience Grant Program also aims to raise community awareness and action on these issues, plan for changing conditions, redesign and relocate vulnerable community facilities and infrastructure and restore shoreline systems to enhance natural resources and provide storm damage
protection.

Grants advance feasibility assessments, public outreach and engagement, design, permitting and implementation of projects.

"As a former mayor of Salem, I know that resilience requires planning, perseverance and teamwork," Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said. "This grant program provides targeted funding and know-how to help those on the front lines prepare, respond and adapt to worsening weather impacts, while reducing the financial burden at the local level."

More on Patch:

• North Shore Communities Awarded Nearly $200K In Traffic Safety Grants
• 'Stupid,' 'Potentially Dangerous': Salem Police Warn Of TikTok AI 'Homeless Man' Prank
• Salem Braces For Challenges, Cheers Benefits Of Massive Witch City Halloween Tourist Invasion

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)