GATEWAY PROJECT
A new building on this prominent site should act as an introduction to Salem’s downtown and harmonize with the historic neighborhood of which it will be part.
A new senior center, known as the Community Life Center, is proposed as part of this project. The overall design of the entire site should be cohesive with the Community Life Center having appropriate aesthetics to match its civic status and long awaited construction.
Current concerns about the Gateway Center revolve around density and site design. Like many projects along the North River Canal Corridor the design is a large block of apartment buildings with no direct access to the street and a large field of parking. This type of development makes it hard for the building to fit into the neighborhood and does not provide residents with the sense of belonging that promotes community involvement.
Historic Salem made public comment on this project as it was proposed in August 2015. In summary our comments were as follows:
According to our mission of ensuring “that new development complements the historic character of the City,” HSI participated as a member of the North River Canal Corridor Master Planning Citizens Advisory Group. During this multi-year planning process all parties involved spent significant time addressing a wide array of issues. The result is the North River Canal Corridor Master Plan and Zoning Ordinance (Section 8.4), completed in 2006.
One of the three chief objectives of the NRCC Master Plan is to “create appropriate development while preserving historic character” and addresses the impact that development of this area will have on historic properties specifically the National Register McIntire District, and the National Register eligible Boston Street, Mack Park, and Northfields neighborhoods.
The NRCC Zoning has specific provisions to address this objective, including buffer zones and requirements for mixed use and commercial development. Large multi-family developments of the type that is currently proposed — large featureless boxes surrounded by parking — are clearly discouraged. In fact according to the NRCC, a primary-use, multi-family development of this type, nearby a residential neighborhood, should have must have separate entrances for each unit.
HSI is discouraged that the ZBA would consider granting the variances that are so significantly at odds with the Master Plan and NRCC Zoning.
The initial impression of the design quality and materials of both buildings was unimpressive. Whatever is to be created here will undergo rigorous review by the Design Review Board which we assume will result in a high quality design worthy of this important entry point into the City of Salem.
A new senior center, known as the Community Life Center, is proposed as part of this project. The overall design of the entire site should be cohesive with the Community Life Center having appropriate aesthetics to match its civic status and long awaited construction.
Current concerns about the Gateway Center revolve around density and site design. Like many projects along the North River Canal Corridor the design is a large block of apartment buildings with no direct access to the street and a large field of parking. This type of development makes it hard for the building to fit into the neighborhood and does not provide residents with the sense of belonging that promotes community involvement.
Historic Salem made public comment on this project as it was proposed in August 2015. In summary our comments were as follows:
According to our mission of ensuring “that new development complements the historic character of the City,” HSI participated as a member of the North River Canal Corridor Master Planning Citizens Advisory Group. During this multi-year planning process all parties involved spent significant time addressing a wide array of issues. The result is the North River Canal Corridor Master Plan and Zoning Ordinance (Section 8.4), completed in 2006.
One of the three chief objectives of the NRCC Master Plan is to “create appropriate development while preserving historic character” and addresses the impact that development of this area will have on historic properties specifically the National Register McIntire District, and the National Register eligible Boston Street, Mack Park, and Northfields neighborhoods.
The NRCC Zoning has specific provisions to address this objective, including buffer zones and requirements for mixed use and commercial development. Large multi-family developments of the type that is currently proposed — large featureless boxes surrounded by parking — are clearly discouraged. In fact according to the NRCC, a primary-use, multi-family development of this type, nearby a residential neighborhood, should have must have separate entrances for each unit.
HSI is discouraged that the ZBA would consider granting the variances that are so significantly at odds with the Master Plan and NRCC Zoning.
The initial impression of the design quality and materials of both buildings was unimpressive. Whatever is to be created here will undergo rigorous review by the Design Review Board which we assume will result in a high quality design worthy of this important entry point into the City of Salem.