HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 35 YEAR HISTORY OF THE SALEM PARTNERSHIP
2020-2022
Applied for and received federal funding for the Conceptual Design Phase of the South Salem Train Stop Project
Selected by the Mayor to serve on the City’s Economic Development Recovery and RevitalizationTask Force (EDDR) to assist the business community during the pandemic and post-pandemic
Appointed to serve as a member of the Harbor Plan Update Committee, the Shetland Redevelopment Working Group, and the Salem 400+ Stakeholders Group
2018-2020
Welcomed FRIENDSHIP of Salem home
Resurrected the Friends of FRIENDSHIP group
Continued advocacy for South Salem Train Stop
Completed development analysis of property adjacent to proposed Train Stop Project
Conducted a Strategic Planning Process
2017-2018
The Salem Partnership celebrated its 30th Anniversary
Partnership prepared a Hull Survey and Maintenance Plan for Friendship
Continued advocacy for South Salem Train Stop
Continued work with Friendship Working Group
MAPC completed South Salem Economic Impact Analysis
2016-17
Held Second Neighborhood Meeting for South Salem Commuter Rail Stop
Dedication of Family and Probate Court
MAPC started South Salem Economic Impact Analysis
Convened Friendship Working Group
2015-2016
Community Advisory Board held community forum with School Superintendent Ruiz
Retained Engineer for South Salem Commuter Rail Stop Feasibility Study
Neighborhood Meeting to present Feasibility Study findings
2014-15
Successful Community Read held in August 2014
MBTA parking garage opened in October 2014
Construction began on renovation of Family & Probate Court
Community Advisory Board continues to meet two times per month and to write monthly columns for The Salem News. CAB participated in School Superintendent search process.
New Executive Director hired
2013-14
Renovation of Family & Probate Court in design phase. Renovation scheduled to begin in Spring 2014
Salem Ferry in its 7th year. Additional dredging and dock work completed. Plans underway to utilize dock at Footprint Power for docking of cruise ships in Fall 2014
MBTA parking garage under construction. Completion expected in October 2014
Phase two of Pedestrian Mall renovation completed
Community Advisory Board ran four community meetings this past year. The Salem News ran weekly articles for past year as a major goal of the committee is open communication.
2011-12
J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center completed.
New seawall, a paved lot and new terminal building completed at Blaney Street.
MBTA now on fast track for new parking garage.
Pedestrian Mall renovation begun.
Salem Public Schools Community Advisory Board established.
2010
Dominion sells Blaney Street to the City of Salem allowing infrastructure plans to move forward.
Governor Patrick and Secretary of Transportation attend annual meeting and again state their commitment to a parking garage at the MBTA train station.
The renovation of the Pedestrian Mall becomes a new major project. In collaboration with the City of Salem and the PeabodyEssex, four visioning and conceptual design public meetings were held. Efforts for funding undertaken.
2009
Port Project – establishment of a multi-purpose municipal port facility undertaken that will accommodate the ferry and also cruise ships at Blaney Street.
At the new courthouse site, road work completed and the church successfully moved.
The Creative Economy market analysis and action plan was implemented. Events were held in the ten top C.E. cities in the region and the year was celebrated with over 300 people in attendance at Endicott College.
2008
Harbor Plan revised and approved by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
Through the efforts of Senator Berry and Representative Keenan, funding was secured and a North Shore Creative Economy market analysis and action plan was prepared by Consult/Econ Inc. and Karl F. Seidman consulting services. The results documented the huge impact the Creative Economy has on the region.
Ground breaking for the J. Michael Ruane Judicial Complex.
Partnership reinitiates efforts for a parking garage at the MBTA train station as new courthouse is underway.
2007
At a breakfast held in Boston, it was announced that legislation based on the Creative Economy action plan was being submitted that would create a state-wide Creative Economy council with seats designated for The Salem Partnership and The Enterprise Center at Salem State. Furthermore, the 1st Creative Economy Director in the nation would be hired under the Secretary of Housing and Economic Development.
2006
Through the efforts of Senator Frederick Berry, The Salem Partnership was awarded $50,000 to run the 1st statewide conference on the Creative Economy. This conference took place on May 3, 2006, with over 200 thought leaders, government officials, and members of the creative economy in the same room for the first time. A Final Report was then published on this conference.
The Seaport Advisory Council awarded $450,000 for the construction of a pier at Blaney Street Wharf. The City of Salem purchased The Nathaniel Bowditch and the Salem/Boston ferry began operations on June 24, 2006.
2005
Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey announced in Salem that $106 million was to be released for the renovation and expansion of the Courts Complex in Salem.
Created with The Enterprise Center at Salem State, The Creative Economy Association of the North Shore (CEANS).
2004
Initiative undertaken to make the Salem/Boston ferry a reality.
2003
Introduced with the Enterprise Center at Salem State, a Creative Economy Initiative.
1999-2002
Established the Salem Main Streets Initiative
1998
Friendship arrives in Salem.
Implemented the Salem Ferry Demonstration Project.
1997
The Salem Partnership celebrates ten years of success.
1996
Actively participated in the preparation of the Salem Harbor Plan, which included recommending the creation of a harbor walkway, dredging South River, and expanding Salem Harbor’s deep water facilities to re-establish the harbor as an important economic resource in the city.
State Seaport Bond Bill approved and Lt. Governor Celluci delivers $110,000 check to Salem Seaport Partnership.
Through the efforts of Senator Berry and Representative Ruane, funding for Salem Courts in the amount of $48 million is placed in State Court Bond Bill.
President Clinton signs the Omnibus Parts and Public Lands Management Act of 1996, which officially designates Essex County as the Essex National Heritage Area.
1995
Advocated for the building of an MBTA garage at Salem Depot in conjunction with the renovation and expansion of the courts complex.
Partnership leads the turn over of the Essex Country Court facilities to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Partnership proposes New Salem Pier Project.
1994
National Park Service Regional Visitors Center opens.
Congress appropriates funds for Friendship and Partnership starts fundraising drive.
Historic wharves reopen at Salem Maritime Site.
Advocated for the redevelopment and expansion of Salem’s Court System, including developing a privately funded Needs Assessment Study for the Salem Courts, creating the Salem Court Study Committee and obtaining City approval for a designation expansion site.
1993
Salem Seaport Partnership formed to promote Salem Harbor.
Students from around Essex County travel to Washington to speak to legislators about Friendship.
1992
Partnership spearheads establishment of the Essex Heritage Commission.
Groundbreaking for NPS Salem Regional Visitors Center.
Salem Maritime Site receives 1st Federal appropriation for Friendship.
Groundbreaking for renovation of historic wharves at Salem Maritime Site.
1991
NPS Salem Maritime Site receives Federal appropriation for the renovation and reconstruction of Derby and Central Wharves and funding for the Regional Visitors Center.
1990
Partnership supports the new Police Station, The Salem Witch Trials Tercentenary Committee and the first NPS Maritime Festival.
Partnership assists in establishing Salem Sound 2000.
1989
Partnership’s Adopt-A-School program begins.
Congress appropriates funds to renovate the NPS Salem Maritime Site and St. Joseph’s Polish Club renovated for educational use by the National Park Service.
Participated in the creation of The Office of Tourism and Cultural Affairs (i.e. Destination Salem).
1988
St. Joseph’s Polish Club acquired by the National Park Service.
1987
The Salem Partnership established.