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Keep Salem Moving!

In November 2008, Salem voters approved a “Keep Salem Moving” $100 million project bond to pay for street and bridge projects that relieve congestion, improve safety, and rebuild or maintain pavement and bridges in Salem.

With that investment the City completed more than 40 projects included in the original Keep Salem Moving! bond measure and received additional funding from the State of Oregon and Federal government totaling over $21 million.

Thanks to sound financial and project management, the City was able to use savings and leverage other funds to address additional transportation needs, including neighborhood sidewalk reconstruction.  These state and federal funds, along with project savings, allowed the City to fund an additional 31 projects.

About 90 percent of the total project value was awarded to local contractors during the economic recovery, following the 2008 recession.

In total, 71 projects have been funded as part of the 2008 Keep Salem Moving! bond package. By January 2022, 66 projects were completed and five projects remain in progress. Upon completion, of all projects funded through this bond measure a total of 45,189 feet of streets will be widened and 63,245 feet of new sidewalk will be stretched throughout the City.

Projects paid for by Keep Salem Moving!

News

Comprehensive Plan Draft, Proposed Maps to be presented to Council, Planning Commission

Post Date:09/20/2021

A draft of Salem's updated Comprehensive Plan and associated maps is complete, marking a major milestone in Salem's efforts to plan for future growth and development. These documents will be presented to the City Council and Planning Commission at a virtual work session Monday, October 18, at 6 p.m.

The draft Salem Area Comprehensive Plan and maps are the result of a three-year project called Our Salem, which involved extensive community engagement. The draft plan and maps represent the community's vision for tackling a broad range of priorities such as:

  • Addressing Salem's housing needs,

  • Helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resiliency, and

  • Advancing equity and inclusion.

A variety of other planning-related topics are also addressed, including economic development, transportation, and infrastructure. In addition, several newer priorities are included, such as access to food and community spaces. You can review the draft Comprehensive Plan and proposed zoning map (in English and Spanish) online. Zoom in on the map to see proposed changes on specific properties and other details. You can also click on the name of each zone in the map's legend for more information. The proposed maps are also hanging in the windows near room 305 on the third floor of City Hall at 555 Liberty St. SE. Planning staff are available at the Planning Desk in the Permit Application Center (Room 320) to answer your questions about the maps. At the joint work session in October, the City Council and Planning Commission will get the opportunity to discuss the draft Comprehensive Plan and maps. No decisions are expected to be made during the work session.

At the end of this year, staff plans to start the adoption process for the proposed Comprehensive Plan, as well as associated maps and zoning code amendments. There will be more opportunities for the public to comment during the adoption process, which is expected to stretch into next year.

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