WHERE DO 2025 CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES STAND ON PRESERVATION?
WALTER MORRELL
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.
Architecture plays a vital role in the character of Salem and showcases our history and
our identity. We need to be thoughtful when we build new developments and when we
retrofit existing buildings. As an elected official I would lean on the Historical
Commission and the Historic Salem, Inc. for their expertise to ensure we continue to
build for the future but also ensure we do not forget our past.
our identity. We need to be thoughtful when we build new developments and when we
retrofit existing buildings. As an elected official I would lean on the Historical
Commission and the Historic Salem, Inc. for their expertise to ensure we continue to
build for the future but also ensure we do not forget our past.
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.)
Historic preservation needs to be part of the conversation when we are discussing
housing, public safety and infrastructure.
housing, public safety and infrastructure.
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?
I would like to work with the Peabody Essex’s Museum to open more of their properties
to the residents of Salem as there in a tremendous amount of value and education
behind their doors.
to the residents of Salem as there in a tremendous amount of value and education
behind their doors.
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 support maintaining Salem’s historic districts and believe in the mission of the Salem
Historical Commission.
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 would support continuing the level of funding that is given to historic resources
through CPA allocations.
through CPA allocations.
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 agree with a smart growth plan as it includes pushes for sustainable development,
mixed land uses, and a high level of affordable housing units, with the intention of
creating dynamic and lively places within the community. When it comes to
development, each project is unique and each project has its own challenges, so we
need to continue to understand the full scope of a project before approval of any kind.
mixed land uses, and a high level of affordable housing units, with the intention of
creating dynamic and lively places within the community. When it comes to
development, each project is unique and each project has its own challenges, so we
need to continue to understand the full scope of a project before approval of any kind.
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 it should be a priority for Salem to install bollards at both ends of Essex Street
to protect our citizens, tourists and visitors. Design on all projects should factor in
functionality, aesthetics and location. Public safety especially during our busy months
should never be compromised.
As the project is complete, I would have to review the cost of modifying or replacing the
current design before providing an opinion.
I believe we should use bricks wherever possible.
to protect our citizens, tourists and visitors. Design on all projects should factor in
functionality, aesthetics and location. Public safety especially during our busy months
should never be compromised.
As the project is complete, I would have to review the cost of modifying or replacing the
current design before providing an opinion.
I believe we should use bricks wherever possible.
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 would like to continue the conversation with the Prime Group. Anyone that is offering
to give back 9 acres of green space and access to the waterfront needs to be listened
to. The project in its current proposal still needs work.
to give back 9 acres of green space and access to the waterfront needs to be listened
to. The project in its current proposal still needs work.
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.)
The developer needs to uphold their contract and complete the courthouse preservation
first. We need to be firm with developers who are interested in building in our city and
ensure we have strong legal contracts in place.
first. We need to be firm with developers who are interested in building in our city and
ensure we have strong legal contracts in place.
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 am pro-business and don’t want to hinder efforts to start one. I would like to review the
parking plan to ensure we are limiting the loss of green space. I would suggest looking
at offsite parking options that could be offered to Inn guests.
parking plan to ensure we are limiting the loss of green space. I would suggest looking
at offsite parking options that could be offered to Inn guests.