The building at 301 Essex Street has a long history as a commercial anchor at the intersection of Summer and Essex Streets. Built in 1897 as a grocery, it was later occupied by various establishments over its early years. Old photos show people gathered along the rooftop parapet as a parade travels by. In 1955 it became Jerry’s Department Store and was operated by Jerry Rich for 50 years. It is still commonly known as “Jerry’s” although it has long housed Witch City Consignment, which is a community anchor in its own right. The abutting lot is occupied by the 1834 West Cogswell House at 5-9 Summer Street, a classic Greek Revival Row House currently operated as The Salem Inn. Built for sea captain Nathaniel West, a successful mariner, shipowner and East India merchant, who commanded several privateering vessels during the American Revolution, the West Cogswell House is on the National Register of Historic Places.
 
Link to Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information (MACRIS): SAL:1483
 
The storefront of Jerry’s Department Store proudly faces commercial Essex Street, but it nods towards residential Essex Street in the McIntire Historic District and the iconic Witch House (1672 Jonathan Corwin House) on the opposite corner of the intersection. North and Essex Streets are both prominent entrance corridors for those approaching downtown; therefore, in addition to its history, there is an important visual impact to be considered with any addition to this single-story building.​​

Initiation Date & Source

• 3/30/2022 application to Salem Redevelopment Authority submitted by JERRYS LLC.
  
  

Neighborhood & Current Zoning

• Downtown. Zone B5
  Overlays: Downtown Renewal Plan
  ​

Review & Permitting Requirements

• Salem Planning Board; Site Plan Review COMPLETED. Conditioned Decision voted 3/07/2024. Based on 9/14/2023 application, the Planning Board opened hearings on 10/24/2023 for a Site Plan Review on this project. On 12/05/2023 the Planning Board issued a formal letter to the ZBA in support of parking variances requested by separate application to that board.
• Salem Redevelopment Authority (SRA); COMPLETED. Voted 9/11/2024 to approve Final Design Review; conditioned decision issued.
• Design Review Board (DRB); IN PROCESS. Voted 8/28/2024 to approve Final Design Review. Final Construction Documents require DRB approval; timeline is 6 months to construction documents, 18 months construction period with occupancy expected July 2026.
• Salem Historical Commission (SHC); COMPLETED voted existing site and building Historically Significant, voted 1/04/2023 to deny application to waive the automatic 18-Month Demolition Delay (expires 7/06/2024).
• Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), COMPLETED Application submission dated 11/21/2023 for parking variance requests, see Major Milestones and Timeline. Reviewed at the 1/17/2024 meeting of the ZBA who voted in favor of reducing the total required parking spaces from 25 to 20 and approved 8 spaces to be located off-site.

Copied verbatim from the original March 2022 application submission. See Major Milestones and Timeline to track changes to submission over time.

Jerrys LLC, has purchased and proposes to retain and restore the existing one-story base building known as Jerrys Army & Navy Store at 301 Essex Street Salem, MA. The Developer proposes to erect a 3 ½ story addition above for use as (10) ten residential units. This location was historically used as a multi-story residential building. Parking will be provided on site at a ratio of 1.5 vehicles for the new addition, 1 vehicle for the 2 units in the existing structure. The parking will be located inside the building at the first floor rear and the retail fronting Essex street will remain but in a smaller configuration. Entry for the retail and units above will be via the existing recessed entry on Essex St. to a secure vestibule, stair and elevator. Massing-wise the addition above will be set back from the existing parapet face at the second level to maintain the visual and structural integrity of the existing one-story façade. The single-story retail base will be restored and retained in its original state and the portion fronting Essex Street and partially Summer Street will remain in its current configuration with minimal alteration, but complete restoration to the facades, except the creation of a garage door opening. The double door along Summer Street and windows to be re-activated. Existing SF 5995, Proposed SF 30,500.

MILESTONE: 2024 last quarter, project listed for sale $1,999,000. Listing still in effect on 2/20/2025.
​Listing Description from J Barrett Realty website:
“Request for offers for existing Commercial/ Retail storefront brick single story building with 10k +- sq ft PLUS fully approved expansion of mixed use Development. 21 total units in A grade prime location at intersection of Route 114, Essex St, North St & Summer St. Proposed 12 car parking garage. 20 total residential units. 10 townhouses with decks, 4 flats, 6 penthouse townhouses with roof decks. 6500 sq ft of Ground level with glass storefront and sub grade commercial/retail space. To be constructed by buyer. All municipal approvals in hand. Only needs CD plans completed and accepted.”

MILESTONE: 9/11/2024 Salem Redevelopment Authority voted to approve the Final Design Review as recommended by the DRB.

MILESTONE: 8/28/2024 Design Review Board voted (4-0) to approve the Final Design Review as presented; their signed recommendation to the SRA was dated 8/29/2024 and includes a materials board and the conditioned decision of the Salem Planning Board dated 3/11/2024 (Site Plan Review).

MILESTONE: 7/6/2024 demolition delay of 18 months expired.

MILESTONE: 3/7/2024 Salem Planning Board completed Site Plan Review on 3/07/2024 and voted to approve a conditioned decision.
 
January 2024
MILESTONE: 1/17/2024 project on the agenda for Zoning Board of Appeals meeting for a two-part parking variance (verbatim from the official agenda description):

• The petition of JERRY’S LLC at 301 ESSEX STREET (Map 26, Lot 458) (B5 Zoning District) for a Variance per Section 5.1.9 Off-street Parking – Central Development District to reduce the parking spaces required to a one-to one ratio. This would result in a total of twenty spaces- twelve would be on site and the remaining eight in an offsite facility.
• Further, the Applicant is requesting a variance from the requirement in Section 5.1.9(d) that the offsite spaces be located in a facility that is within 1,000 feet of the Property. The Applicant is proposing to purchase additional parking at the Museum Place parking garage which is approximately 1,200 feet from the Property. 
  Application includes Statement of Grounds for relief from ordinance requirements  
  ​(From this link navigate to the “SRA Meeting Materials” link noted in the third bullet in the announcement text on the right side of the page to find the folder for 301 Essex. The application document is stored there.).

ZBA DECISION: to approve the variance requests and grant a reduction of the number of required parking spaces from 25 to 20, and for 8 of these spaces to be located at a remote location; either the Museum Place Garage or no further than 1,000 linear feet from the property.
 
October 2023
MILESTONE: 10/24/2023 Salem Planning Board opens hearings on Site Plan Review (application dated 9/14/2023).
 
April 2023
MILESTONE: 4/12/2023 Salem Redevelopment Authority votes to approve schematic design with conditions.

The Salem Redevelopment Authority members review this project. They provide clear direction to return the masonry component to the traditional red brick color and with that as a condition of the approval, the schematic design is approved. HSI attends this meeting and submitted the attached letter advocating for traditional red brick to be used.
April 11, 2023 HSI to SRA recommends conditioned approval
HSI April Social Media Call to Action

March 2023
MILESTONE: 3/22/2023 Design Review Board votes to recommend conditioned approval of schematic design.

As the Design Review Board process continues, HSI generally supports the design of the Essex Street façade and has requested changes to the Summer Street façade. HSI strongly opposed the sudden proposal for black/dark bricks, rather than the traditional red brick color that had been shown in all other renderings. Public comment follows the same lines. See attached letter and note that our comments at the meeting echoed our written comments. Despite this unified public response, the DRB gives a positive recommendation to send the project back to the SRA for schematic design approval.
March 22, 2023 HSI to DRB color change feedback
HSI March Social Media Call to Action

January 2023
The development team submits to the Salem Historical Commission an application to waive the 18-month demolition delay period. The 18-month delay is triggered by two aspects of the applicable ordinance: 50% or more demolition (the proposed plan calls for total demolition of the roof during construction) and age of the existing structure (the building is over 100 years old). After the SHC determined the site to be historically significant and preferably preserved, the wavier application was denied by vote, and the now required Delay will expire on July 6, 2024.
January 4, 2023 HSI to SHC recommends against waiver of demolition delay
 
The development team resubmits to the Salem Redevelopment Authority a plan that returns to the 3-story addition (plus mezzanine and recessed penthouse level). HSI attends this meeting and submits the attached letter. HSI remains supportive of the additional stories and provides comments on the design details.
January 11, 2023 HSI to SRA supports rigorous review
HSI January Social Media Call to Action
 
After receiving SRA approval for the updated plan, the development team appears again before the Design Review Board. HSI attends this meeting and submits the attached letter.
January 25, 2023 HSI to DRB design feedback
 
December 2022
At the Design Review Board meeting, the development team once again presented a multiple story addition with options for building façade treatment. Due to the significant difference between what the SRA approved and what was presented at this meeting, the DRB requested it be cleared with the SRA before they began in-depth review. HSI attended this meeting and submitted the attached letter. 
December 21, 2022 HSI to DRB curtain wall feedback
HSI December Social Media Call to Action 
 
November 2022
After a several months pause on Salem Redevelopment Authority appearances, the development team returns with some major changes. While the parking and retail layouts have been improved, it was surprising to see that the building height and massing were drastically reduced. HSI attended the SRA meeting and submitted the following letter expressing our preference for a 2-3 story addition at this location. Although puzzled by the change, the SRA approves the schematic concept and allows it to
proceed to Design Review Board review, as per the requirements of the SRA process.
November 9, 2022 HSI to SRA feedback on scale and massing
 
August 2022
There are no significant changes to the plans at the Salem Redevelopment Authority’s August meeting. HSI attends and submits the following letter highlighting the lack of any requested changes to the proposal.
August 10, 2022 - HSI to SRA design feedback
 
At both the July and August meetings, SRA members questioned the aesthetic of the “overhang”, the functionality of the mezzanine level, the feasibility of the parking layout and the amount of usable retail space that will remain on the ground floor.
 
July 2022
Development team presents to the Salem Redevelopment Authority. HSI representatives attend and submit the following letter:
July 13, 2022 - HSI to SRA design feedback
 
Spring 2022
Historic Salem, Inc. representatives meet in person several times with the development team including the owners and architects to review conceptual designs for the addition. HSI is supportive of adding up to three stories to the existing building as it continues the scale of buildings found throughout downtown as well as the multi-family residential style of the adjacent Salem Inn on Summer Street. There is a general agreement on the design style proposed at this time.