WHERE DO 2025 CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES STAND ON PRESERVATION?
MARLENE WARNER
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 should be a top priority for the city. Our history centers who we are today and
reminds us of who we want to strive to be in Salem. When I walk around Salem, I am
constantly reminded of why being the “city of peace” is crucial based on our past, why
innovation is foundational here, and how we have always been a center of courageous
and creative people. That past must be preserved and promoted.
reminds us of who we want to strive to be in Salem. When I walk around Salem, I am
constantly reminded of why being the “city of peace” is crucial based on our past, why
innovation is foundational here, and how we have always been a center of courageous
and creative people. That past must be preserved and promoted.
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?
The single most pressing preservation issue in Salem right now is highlighting the
diversity of history in Salem for the past 400 years. We are not a city of just witch trials
or merchant trade, but we are also a city that has been host to immigration, innovation,
and industrial mechanisms. We must lift the whole of Salem’s history and show the
depths of our character and curiosity city-wide.
diversity of history in Salem for the past 400 years. We are not a city of just witch trials
or merchant trade, but we are also a city that has been host to immigration, innovation,
and industrial mechanisms. We must lift the whole of Salem’s history and show the
depths of our character and curiosity city-wide.
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.)
Yes, I support maintaining the Historical Commission’s oversight and expanding
Salem’s historic districts. I often worry that without knowledge or oversight much of the
areas outside of downtown are not preserved nor acknowledged. I’d like to see Ward
6’s labor history brought to light through the work of the Historical Commission.
Salem’s historic districts. I often worry that without knowledge or oversight much of the
areas outside of downtown are not preserved nor acknowledged. I’d like to see Ward
6’s labor history brought to light through the work of the Historical Commission.
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’d support continuing the funding for preservation projects. How that is done
would need to be done per the content of each year’s budget.
would need to be done per the content of each year’s budget.
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.)
I would need more information and context before comfortably answering this question.
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 am not an structural or road engineer, nor am I a designer or architect. But what I
would say is that I would listen to experts that are and ask them probing questions. I’d
also find out what the residents of Salem want and prefer both in terms of safety and
aesthetics.
Retain as installed. I am a member of First Church and so I have watched this project
as it unfolded. What I can say is that it will solve many more problems than it has
created and I think it works with the building and the surroundings.
While I love the look of brick, I think that maintenance is expensive and tedious. I’d like
to make sure we prioritize the historic look of our buildings and spaces, while also
ensuring that people’s safety as they walk is paramount. For that reason, I’d prefer
concrete or asphalt.
would say is that I would listen to experts that are and ask them probing questions. I’d
also find out what the residents of Salem want and prefer both in terms of safety and
aesthetics.
Retain as installed. I am a member of First Church and so I have watched this project
as it unfolded. What I can say is that it will solve many more problems than it has
created and I think it works with the building and the surroundings.
While I love the look of brick, I think that maintenance is expensive and tedious. I’d like
to make sure we prioritize the historic look of our buildings and spaces, while also
ensuring that people’s safety as they walk is paramount. For that reason, I’d prefer
concrete or asphalt.
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?
I think we need much more information on the particulars of what would be done, how it
would be zoned, and how we could protect the surrounding neighborhoods. I don’t
believe nearly enough has been discussed or discovered about the way to best utilize
and protect that area.
would be zoned, and how we could protect the surrounding neighborhoods. I don’t
believe nearly enough has been discussed or discovered about the way to best utilize
and protect that area.
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.)
No, I’d like to see a comprehensive project needs to be kept together and the city needs
to be judicious in its approach to its tax credits until the project fully moves forward.
to be judicious in its approach to its tax credits until the project fully moves forward.
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.)
I’d like to see mixed use in a number of buildings in Salem—both residential and
commercial. I’d need to better understand the particulars of this project and whether
there is a middle of the road approach to satisfy all interested parties.
commercial. I’d need to better understand the particulars of this project and whether
there is a middle of the road approach to satisfy all interested parties.