tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666195730630249633.post1362163463366970551..comments2024-03-25T17:49:41.408-07:00Comments on Salem Breakfast on Bikes: DAS Publishes Three North Campus Proposals - Let's Look at the LatestSalem Breakfast on Bikeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618055627843335993noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666195730630249633.post-83078721592883401712017-02-07T08:31:42.280-08:002017-02-07T08:31:42.280-08:00The first Proposal, i.e. from Design Build Associa...The first Proposal, i.e. from Design Build Associates, was from an Economist, an Architect (myself), and a Design-Build specialist. All three have decades of experience as principals in large real estate development, including adaptive re-use of historic buildings, and multi-family development. Two of the principals are past presidents of the Salem City Club, and have the goals of helping to make Salem better. The Proposal for a Higher Education Campus with some housing and some commercial space, for businesses, restaurants, a pub, and a venue for community events and weddings, could have become a economic dynamo for this part of Salem that is half way between downtown and the commercial drive in strip of Lancaster Drive. Unfortunately the Proposal was dismissed by DAS officials, in collusion with the City of Salem, i.e. not the City Council, who were unaware, and un-informed, but by the mayor and manager, who both wanted a shovel-ready site, for what? Even the DAS official admitted to NESCA that the only land use that would work out there would be housing. By that it means RM-2 Multifamily zoning, which allows the typical 3 story apartment buildings alternating with large parking lots. This is what is being developed on the huge "Epping" property on Portland Road. That is what the market indicates, with a current zero vacancy rate for these units, that rent for $1.25 per sq. ft. per month, so put them out of reach of the lower income folks. This is what we can anticipate will replace historic buildings like the Belluschi building and others east of 25th. Street. We can only hope that the State and the City somehow retain some design control over the master plan and the design of these apartments, so it is not the mediocre, but is a quality housing development that is innovative, attractive, and is so good it puts Salem on the map for quality urban design and planning.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12677442051991327583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666195730630249633.post-90338803031056127832017-02-07T05:31:53.802-08:002017-02-07T05:31:53.802-08:00I hope your projection of what could happen to the...I hope your projection of what could happen to the North Campus area happens. However, I think it is still in the wishful thinking realm. The pressure is for more multifamily housing. We are seeing every nook and cranny 1 and 2 acre plots now coming into the Planning department. Two this month in ELNA alone. Both are at the maximum density of 14 units per acre for RM1. <br /><br />Salem needs 200 acres of multifamily housing. So, I see someone coming along and just building to the maximum density in this area. <br /><br />I'm putting this in writing and we shall see who ends up being right.Susann Kaltwassernoreply@blogger.com