Salem Public Meeting To Cover Derby Neighborhood Upgrades

SALEM, MA – The City of Salem and its traffic engineering firm, VHB, will hold a public meeting to provide an update on the status of the ongoing Derby Neighborhood Envision 2020 work, a multi-phase effort to upgrade the roadway and sidewalks of the neighborhood around and including Derby Street.

The meeting will take place on Monday, June 26, at 6 p.m. in the Holyoke Room at the House of the Seven Gables, 115 Derby St.

The Derby Neighborhood Envision 2020 initiative started in the Fall of 2015, to serve as a coordinated plan to implement nearly $2 million in mitigation funding intended for the neighborhood from both the Footprint power plant project and the National Grid cable replacement project, the latter of which is now complete. The task force includes representatives from the Historic Derby Street Neighborhood Association, the Ward 1 City Councillor, the City Engineer, the Director of Planning and Community Development, the Traffic and Parking Director, an officer from the Salem Police Department’s Traffic Division, and a representative each from Footprint, the National Park Service Salem Maritime Historic District, the House of the Seven Gables, and the Salem Chamber of Commerce.

The group's goal has been to create a unified vision for upgrades to the network of roads, sidewalks, and public spaces in the Derby Street neighborhood, consistent with the City’s nationally recognized complete streets policy, the unique historic nature of the corridor, and the needs and preferences of the neighborhood’s residents, businesses, and institutions.

"I encourage everyone who lives in the Derby Street area to join us on June 26 for this informational update," said Mayor Kim Driscoll. "We are exciting about the possibilities presented by this initiative and the opportunities to make Derby Street a complete street that works better for everyone. I look forward to hearing feedback and input directly from the Derby Street neighbors as this work moves forward."

"I’m excited that this process continues to advance," said Ward 1 City Councillor Robert McCarthy. "I know that I and all of the residents of this neighborhood are very much looking forward to the completion of this work and to seeing the rest of Derby Street repaved and pedestrian improvements included."

Image via City of Salem