Old General Hospital Site Housing, Northwest Hub with 2nd Mayor's Award, Union Street Traffic Light, New Critical Mass - Bits

100 years ago what became known as General Hospital started admitting patients. Its construction had been delayed multiple times, and it was finally open.

Nov. 2nd and Nov. 8th, 1923

Yesterday, Salem Reporter had news on a proposal for housing on the old hospital site, "Construction to begin on 120 affordable apartments in northeast Salem by fall 2024."

Salem General Hospital, c.1930 (State Archives)

Salem General Hospital - Maternity Unit, 1980s
(Salem Library Historic Photos)

It's been bare ground for several years, and it will be great to see housing there. Once the site plan review is scheduled and there are more concrete plans and drawings, there will likely be more to say!

Previously:

• "Hospital Campaigns of 1920 Consider Count of Beds" (2020)
• "After Wage Complaints in 1921, Hospital Agrees to Prevailing Wage on New Building" (2021)
• On the final push for funds and catastrophe, "Car Racing, Capital, and Tragedy on Labor Day in 1923" (2023)
  

Earlier this week Salem Bike Vision posted an update on installation of the Union Street bikeway. Most exciting was the new light at Liberty and Union, which will assist crossing the new two-way configuration of Liberty. It looks like they are striping crosswalks also. That will be great to use on bike and also on foot.

New light on Liberty at Union - via FB

• On the long and winding history of the bikeway, back to 2009, see posts here.

Earlier this month, the City posted a video on the recent volunteer awards, and it was great to see Northwest Hub get recognition with a Mayor's Award.

Awarding Kirk and the Hub - via FB

This is the second Mayor's award for them! They won one also in 2018. This one might be an individual award, distinct from the first corporate award, but still. (Previous notes here on the Hub.)

And the new Critical Mass ride continues to look like an instance of bike fun, a "lights ride," more than advocacy or anything disruptive during the commute time, as the first version did. It will be fascinating to see how it evolves and defines itself for a new cohort and generation of riders!

They meet on the north side of the Capitol on Court Street in the fountain area.

"Across the street" = The Fountain

See:

• "Did Critical Mass ride in Salem During the 1990s?"