WHERE DO 2025 CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES STAND ON PRESERVATION?
ANDREW SMITH
HSI Mission and New Development
Historic Salem, Inc.’s mission states that “new development complements the historic nature of the city.” How would you interpret this principle, and how would you put it into practice as an elected official? Please also share whether you see value in this approach for Salem’s future.
Historic Salem, Inc.’s mission states that “new development complements the historic nature of the city.” How would you interpret this principle, and how would you put it into practice as an elected official? Please also share whether you see value in this approach for Salem’s future.
I interpret this in a few ways. First, that new development can become a part of the fabric of the city, with each modern era contributing something to be looked back on years later; each trend has been added in to create a story of time passing (even Brutalism, which is to say the least, not my favorite and luckily not a huge part of Salem’s story). I can also take this to mean that new development should have some awareness of its surroundings, which I truly believe. We can do development with a nod toward who we are as a city and should do that whenever possible. I also believe that renovation and restoration of older buildings should be prioritized, as it is more sustainable and fits more seamlessly into the city. Some areas in Salem have more flexibility in style and can be more slated for larger housing development, but I also think having places that fit their surroundings can be an important element in making everyone feel welcome, appreciated, and not ostracized in any way; affordable and cheap are
Historic Preservation Priority
Do you believe preserving Salem’s historic buildings, streetscapes, and neighborhoods should be a top priority for the City, equal to other major areas such as housing, public safety, and infrastructure? (Yes/No — brief rationale.)
Do you believe preserving Salem’s historic buildings, streetscapes, and neighborhoods should be a top priority for the City, equal to other major areas such as housing, public safety, and infrastructure? (Yes/No — brief rationale.)
Yes and no. It is an important component of housing and I think these are literally the definition of “infrastructure” and we should be maintaining our historic character. But, when it comes to public safety or education, for example, I have to say that I would rather my children be safe and educated, so maybe that’s where if I had to pick (and really I don’t because we can do both) I would need to side with those. So, it can be a top priority, but not the top priority.
Top Preservation Issue & Action
What is the single most pressing preservation issue in Salem right now, and what specific action would you take in your first year?
What is the single most pressing preservation issue in Salem right now, and what specific action would you take in your first year?
We have roads and sidewalks to maintain, but those just got an influx of new allocated funds in this year’s budget, so I would choose repurposing blighted, unused, and underused buildings. Examples in Ward 2 are the old courthouses (more on that below) and 5 Broad Street (old Normal School and Council on Aging) in front of the Broad St Cemetery. We have a need for housing and these buildings can provide an abundance of it, wrapped in historic character. However, the projects are delayed, stalled, and otherwise sidetracked. This is the kind of development we should be prioritizing, and I would try to push the development forward or attempt to seek new bids if the properties are not able to progress. The SRA should be stronger with developers because there is a housing issue across the state and these buildings have huge potential. I’m currently working on getting more information on these projects, so hope that I have the facts correct up until this point.
Historic District Oversight
Do you support maintaining or expanding Salem’s historic districts and the Salem Historical Commission’s oversight to ensure changes meet preservation standards? (Yes/No — brief rationale.)
Do you support maintaining or expanding Salem’s historic districts and the Salem Historical Commission’s oversight to ensure changes meet preservation standards? (Yes/No — brief rationale.)
Maintaining, yes. Expanding, possibly, because some of the homes beyond the current borders do not have historical significance that would meet the criteria and you would get into a kind of spot zoning situation by trying to include only specific homes. It may be better to create new standalone districts for clusters of historic homes left out of these districts, but those homeowners should have a say in whether or not this happens (I’m sure many would appreciate it). I want to note that the Historical Commission has made some adjustments in recent years to be more accommodating for climate resiliency and sustainability efforts and the current board is so knowledgeable that I really feel confident in their decisions. I’ve been on a few meetings now and I’m in awe every time I hear their rationale for any given request, particularly due to their vast knowledge of architecture and style.
Funding for Preservation
State law requires that at least 10% of CPA funds each year go toward historic resources. In Salem, more than this minimum has typically been allocated. Would you support continuing — or expanding — this level of funding for preservation projects, either through CPA allocations or the City’s capital budget? (Yes/No — please explain.)
State law requires that at least 10% of CPA funds each year go toward historic resources. In Salem, more than this minimum has typically been allocated. Would you support continuing — or expanding — this level of funding for preservation projects, either through CPA allocations or the City’s capital budget? (Yes/No — please explain.)
Yes, I would maintain current levels, as this works out well for us. We have a rich history (literally, in the 1800s we really seemed to have all the money and now have to maintain the very expensive tastes of our wealthier merchants) and that history is important for tourism and civic pride.
Monitoring and Protecting Development
Would you support the creation of additional 40R “Smart Growth Overlay Districts” in Salem, similar to the already approved Margin/High/Endicott Street and Salem State South Campus districts, and the Shetland Park district currently under review? (Yes/No — please explain.)
Would you support the creation of additional 40R “Smart Growth Overlay Districts” in Salem, similar to the already approved Margin/High/Endicott Street and Salem State South Campus districts, and the Shetland Park district currently under review? (Yes/No — please explain.)
Depends on where, but yes. It’s important to expand housing and grow as a city. Historically, we haven’t grown beyond our population in the 1950’s and these new buildings are a part of the history we will leave for future generations. I also think there are a lot of benefits to smart growth. While we do well with green space, affordability, and walkability, one area we need to improve upon is keeping our wealth in Salem. We should not be adding overlay districts that send large amounts of rent out of our state every month (see more below), as this is a central component of smart growth that I think we often miss. Smart growth overlay districts can also have more municipal input on design choices than on a typical private development, so can factor in historic preservation and suitability as well.
Historic Streetscapes
In Salem’s historic districts, how should the City balance pedestrian safety with preservation of historic streetscapes when installing or replacing bollards and similar fixtures? (Please explain and outline the design/placement criteria you would use.)
Regarding the newly installed bollards at the Ropes Mansion, which option best reflects your position? Retain as installed, Replace with a design more visually compatible with the historic setting, Modify placement/quantity while keeping the current design, or Other (Select one and explain.)
In historic districts and other important historic areas, how would you prioritize sidewalk materials? As a policy preference, do you favor brick over concrete or asphalt? (Yes/No — brief rationale.)
In Salem’s historic districts, how should the City balance pedestrian safety with preservation of historic streetscapes when installing or replacing bollards and similar fixtures? (Please explain and outline the design/placement criteria you would use.)
Regarding the newly installed bollards at the Ropes Mansion, which option best reflects your position? Retain as installed, Replace with a design more visually compatible with the historic setting, Modify placement/quantity while keeping the current design, or Other (Select one and explain.)
In historic districts and other important historic areas, how would you prioritize sidewalk materials? As a policy preference, do you favor brick over concrete or asphalt? (Yes/No — brief rationale.)
I believe that we need to take a more holistic approach to some of these fixtures. Bollards I’ll get to below, but things like speed bumps create a knock-on effect and push traffic onto other streets, while also harming the historic character of streets. We need to look for other ways to calm traffic and something like a bump out might fit better in certain neighborhoods. While not necessarily historically accurate (they weren’t necessary and probably would confuse the horses), they have a more artistic and European look and feel and that fits in well here. We can also do more with raised concrete or cobblestone dividers for separated bike lanes (like Chicago or Philly). We can use the streets and architecture around an installation to inform design choices, be it metal, brick, or concrete.
Replace, or at least move. I am frustrated somewhat by their size and the sheer number of them, but also their symmetry with the building. These were put in off-center to accommodate three tour bus spots, which seems excessive. I think the whole of Essex street could be lined with bollards or a low gate to maintain the symmetrical look and be similar to other roadside attractions across Europe like Big Ben or The Colosseum (I often look to Europe because we have an older city than most of America so it is harder to find a natural comparison).
Brick, I like the look and despite pushing a stroller along them every single day that gets caught and jams into my stomach, I still choose the brick. I am aware the city essentially dumps a bunch of bricks off for the homeowner to put in, but this seems to be better than the alternative of ripping up the sidewalk and replacing it, as this can make for an uneven surface when some get redone and others do not. I would like to see more concrete construction under the bricks, so the bricks serve as a veneer, making them sturdier and less likely to sink down. We may also be able to do brick inlay or striping on concrete in some areas to make it more durable and longer-lasting, but it would only be where it fits with the character of the area.
Replace, or at least move. I am frustrated somewhat by their size and the sheer number of them, but also their symmetry with the building. These were put in off-center to accommodate three tour bus spots, which seems excessive. I think the whole of Essex street could be lined with bollards or a low gate to maintain the symmetrical look and be similar to other roadside attractions across Europe like Big Ben or The Colosseum (I often look to Europe because we have an older city than most of America so it is harder to find a natural comparison).
Brick, I like the look and despite pushing a stroller along them every single day that gets caught and jams into my stomach, I still choose the brick. I am aware the city essentially dumps a bunch of bricks off for the homeowner to put in, but this seems to be better than the alternative of ripping up the sidewalk and replacing it, as this can make for an uneven surface when some get redone and others do not. I would like to see more concrete construction under the bricks, so the bricks serve as a veneer, making them sturdier and less likely to sink down. We may also be able to do brick inlay or striping on concrete in some areas to make it more durable and longer-lasting, but it would only be where it fits with the character of the area.
Shetland Park Redevelopment
What is your position on the current Shetland Park redevelopment proposal, particularly regarding its impact on Salem’s historic waterfront and surrounding neighborhoods? How do you think Salem can balance new development with preserving our city's historic character?
What is your position on the current Shetland Park redevelopment proposal, particularly regarding its impact on Salem’s historic waterfront and surrounding neighborhoods? How do you think Salem can balance new development with preserving our city's historic character?
As it stands now, I am against this project. The buildings it would replace do not have the best aesthetics in my mind, so it’s not from a historic preservation sense, but rather the project as a whole. I don’t like that the landlords are a storage company from out of state that want to take over 1000 rents worth of money out of our city each month (and barely any affordable units), I don’t like that the design choices look like the Seaport in Boston, I don’t like that they raised the rents on all of the non-profits in the space (despite bragging about doing otherwise), and I don’t like that the point neighborhood will be overshadowed by these buildings and our waterfront will effectively be privatized. That said, I do want something to go in there and think it should be housing, a good deal of housing. But it needs to be multi-use, benefitting of the community, and maintaining access to the waterfront for all. We can do this if we develop it as a city and with community input.
Crescent Lot Development
The city sought out a developer to preserve and rehabilitate the courthouses on Federal Street. To make it more attractive to developers, the city added the crescent lot for commercial development. Winn Development, the winning bidder, is now asking to separate the two projects so they can develop the Crescent Lot independently, without being required to complete the courthouse preservation first. Do you support this change in prioritization? How would you approach holding developers accountable with respect to historic preservation? (Yes/No — please explain.)
The city sought out a developer to preserve and rehabilitate the courthouses on Federal Street. To make it more attractive to developers, the city added the crescent lot for commercial development. Winn Development, the winning bidder, is now asking to separate the two projects so they can develop the Crescent Lot independently, without being required to complete the courthouse preservation first. Do you support this change in prioritization? How would you approach holding developers accountable with respect to historic preservation? (Yes/No — please explain.)
I need to know more about this project to weigh in on it fully and am happy to discuss it further and get more information. The SRA minutes do not yet seem available to the general public. But, from what I gather, the project was set to include both pieces as one development and that is attempting to be split. We should be holding developers accountable for what they promise. However, housing is an important asset that we need right now, so I would like to see them go forward, but with penalties or even city control of the finished building on the Crescent Lot if they do not follow through with the rest of their plan. There is no reason for Winn Development to remove rents from our community without adding back in this benefit and they should not be able to do so for the long run. But it is worthwhile to have them start building this project.
26 Winter Street
A request has been made to the ZBA to allow an inn at 26 Winter Street (the Joseph Story house), changing the use from residential to commercial. Do you support this change in use? Please explain the key factors behind your position and your view on the impacts this precedent could set for this historic neighborhood, including the impacts of lost trees and green space to make parking lots on these properties. (Yes/No — please explain.)
A request has been made to the ZBA to allow an inn at 26 Winter Street (the Joseph Story house), changing the use from residential to commercial. Do you support this change in use? Please explain the key factors behind your position and your view on the impacts this precedent could set for this historic neighborhood, including the impacts of lost trees and green space to make parking lots on these properties. (Yes/No — please explain.)
Yes, I support this project and wish to see it go forward. I have spoken with the couple seeking this special permit and know that they will not be making any significant (or really any) changes to the exterior of the house, but rather preserving this important example of the Federalist style of architecture. This is why the historical commission signed-off on their request and only rejected the removal of a gate, which will now remain it seems. There will be no lost trees and most, if not all of the hedges and topiary will remain. What will change is that some of the grass on the outer edge of the circular driveway will become reinforced turf that will accommodate cars, but still appear as grass. They are also offering discounts for guests without cars and we have slow seasons, so the green space should be visible more often than not. They should be held to this promise.
The change in use switches from 3 residences (one of whom is part-time as I understand it) to 1 residence and 9 guestrooms. These will help offset some of the short-term rentals that our city has all around and remain unregulated and unregistered (we also need crack down there). The change in use changes the tax category, more than doubling its current rate. This is a win for the city as a whole. I do not, however, think a precedent needs to be or even would be set, as these are taken on a case-by-case basis. The ZBA should make that very clear. Additionally, I would want to see the ZBA require the license be granted and renewed only to an owner/operator who occupies the property themselves, similar to a B&B, but an inn due to the number of rooms.
The change in use switches from 3 residences (one of whom is part-time as I understand it) to 1 residence and 9 guestrooms. These will help offset some of the short-term rentals that our city has all around and remain unregulated and unregistered (we also need crack down there). The change in use changes the tax category, more than doubling its current rate. This is a win for the city as a whole. I do not, however, think a precedent needs to be or even would be set, as these are taken on a case-by-case basis. The ZBA should make that very clear. Additionally, I would want to see the ZBA require the license be granted and renewed only to an owner/operator who occupies the property themselves, similar to a B&B, but an inn due to the number of rooms.