SALEM — Coronavirus restrictions aren’t hampering work on city public works projects, with one set to start this week and others scheduled to be completed by mid summer.
Historic Charter Street Cemetery undergoes landscaping and other work beginning June 1. The project, according to the city website, includes adding new pathways lighting and perimeter fencing, and restoring the iron fencing along Charter Street and the retaining wall along Liberty Street.
“During the project, no large mechanical equipment will be allowed in the site due to the fragile nature of the cemetery’s historic resources,” the website states.
The cemetery will be closed during the estimated six-month-long project. The city Cemetery Commission voted to approve the work on May 14.
A major improvement project on Gallows Hill is scheduled to be completed by July, according to a schedule provided by city Capital and Sustainable Operations Director Jenna Ide.
The $1.3 million project includes a new high school regulation baseball field, a new skatepark, including a bowl, new rain gardens and parking area, accessible pathways, and new landscaping.
The project cost is $1.3 million.
Future work planned for the Gallows Hill includes Mansell Field improvements, said Ide.
The Salem Common project’s initial phase focused on the bandstand restoration is slated to be completed by July, with new accessible paths, new concrete apron and a new hatch.
In addition, $400,000 worth of new Common fence repair and replacement work is scheduled to be completed this summer, and a new
accessible playground swing should be installed by end of June, Ide said.
She stressed that all timelines and price tags planned for projects are estimates at this time.
Future Common work is planned, including window, electrical and masonry repairs to the bandstand, tentatively scheduled to be completed by 2022, and additional fence work — “pending funding,” Ide noted.
The city has a public property improvement list stretching into the middle of the decade that includes major locations well known to city residents and visitors.
Bertram Field’s $4.5 million second phase renovation encompasses new locker rooms, visitor amenities, coaching areas, concessions, press box and parking area.
“All areas will be fully accessible and sustainable, including electric charging stations. The project will go into construction this summer and finish by February 2021,” Ide said.
Work planned for Palmer Cove spanning the next year includes relocating and expanding the community gardens, new accessible paths, trees, new parking area, ocean side seating, and other amenities planned as part of the park restoration.
Ongoing Forest River Park work is one of Salem’s biggest projects.
The city is planning a new pool and recreation center that Ide described as “sustainable community spaces” for a wide variety of recreation and community uses including, but not limited to swimming, swim lessons, walking, running, bird watching, open lawn games, splash pad, concessions, small functions, facilities to support kayaking and other uses at the nearby beach.
With a price tag that could approach $11 million, pending financing, the project’s two new pools — one for adult lap swimming and a “kiddie” pool, and expanded deck and grass area for poolside activities or leisure.
Plans also call for a water interactive feature and seating areas that would be open mid May through mid September.
The Forest River project also includes a new building for lifeguard services, First Aid and filtration systems; a bathhouse renovation to include a community room, and a concessions/warming kitchen for use most of the year and a new lawn and landscaped area will be created where the existing tennis courts are as well as walkways and native plantings.
“The project is in design, and the City will be finalizing design and permitting over the next six months. The City of Salem is soliciting a contractor who will start early work on demolition, abatement, utilities, and potentially work new open space and landscapes in late 2020 and early 2021.
“Pending full funding, the project can start full construction in March 2021, and the facility would open in the spring of 2022 (community room), with the pool open for the 2022 season,” Ide explained.
Forest River park received upgrades to its baseball field, basketball court
restrooms, seawall, and pond since 2018.
The city is also planning major tree work for Salem Willows in June, including replanting the formal entrance across from the arcade.
Thor Jourgensen can be reached at [email protected].
