WHERE DO 2025 CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES STAND ON PRESERVATION?
JOHN HUNT
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.
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. It is important that we are making sure our history and culture is preserved for future generations and it should always be a top priority in a city with rich history like Salem.
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?
Climate change and rising sea levels are the most pressing issues to preservation in Salem right now. We need to work to update and expand sea walls, upgrade pump systems, and take a strong look at steps towards proactive adaptation to ensure that our historical landmarks don't fall victim to climate change. We will almost certainly only be able to take these braod actions by working with our state and local governement to procure the funds neccessary to undertake some of these projects. We will also need to make smart decisions around what our partnerships in the private sector look like when people want to come and build in Salem. If someone wants to come and build in Salem, they should be prepared to invest in not just the project they're looking towards, but also the future of our city and residents.
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.)
I do support our current historic districts and theHistoric Commission's mission towards oversight. I believe in any sort of oversight that creates a sort of checks and balance system and can hold a governing body accountable.
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 think the coming years are going to be difficult fiscally, so I can't commit to expanded funds, but I would not support any cuts to funding at this point in time.
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.)
Yes. 40R developments, when approached appropriately, are a great way to tackle city problems in a targeted manner. While I don't think this should be the norm in Salem, I do feel that without significant changes to zoning laws, 40R is a great way to help Salem grow to meet increased and changing needs.
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.)
Salem is in desperate need of upgrades when it comes to pedestrian safety. Unfortunately, some of those changes may have to come around some historic Salem fixtures or in Historic neighborhoods. I think that as long as these changes aren't being made to any physical property or infringing on property lines, that we should be keeping an eye towards incresed safety for our pedestrians.
I feel that the current setup is ok. While preservation is paramount, I don't think this specific safety measure alters the historical value or significance and also provides an added measure of public safety.
While I'd like reserve the right to asses each case individually, I do not favor brick over asphalt or concrete in a very general sense. While I do think brick is aesthetically the best option, I think we need to keep accessability at the top of our minds when thinking about our sidewalks and brick, in my opinion, is not the best option for that.
I feel that the current setup is ok. While preservation is paramount, I don't think this specific safety measure alters the historical value or significance and also provides an added measure of public safety.
While I'd like reserve the right to asses each case individually, I do not favor brick over asphalt or concrete in a very general sense. While I do think brick is aesthetically the best option, I think we need to keep accessability at the top of our minds when thinking about our sidewalks and brick, in my opinion, is not the best option for that.
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?
While I think the current plan for Shetland park could stand to see some adjustments, I am in favor of the redevelopment of the space in general. I think balancing character is paramount, but we also need to accept that there is not enough housing in Salem as currently constituted. Further, there are serious concerns in regards to how that parcel of land will stand up to the test of climate change, but those things could be addressed through redevelopment.
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.)
Over the next 5-10 years, it is vital to make Salem a desirable place for people and companies to invest. With that said, I also think it is extremely important to hold our partners accountable to the agreements they make with us. So, no, I would not support this change in prioritization. The courthouse must be done first, or at the very least, simultaneous to the court house preservation.
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.)
No, at this point in time I would not support this. It should be noted that I am not opposed to the change from residential to commercial, but given that part of the city and the potential loss of trees and greenery, I would have to see a plan that would take that loss into account before giving it any serious consideration.