Salem to discuss post-demolition plans for former UGM site

Whitney Woodworth, Salem Statesman Journal
·2 min read

Not much will be up for a vote during Monday's Salem City Council meeting, but several plans will be presented to the council as information-only reports.

The new city flag will debut at the meeting.

The council adopted the new design, which features a pink cherry blossom, in its July 11 meeting. It will be presented at the Salem Civic Center's 50th-anniversary celebration Aug. 18.

The selected design came out on top in a poll by the Statesman Journal. It will replace the previous design adopted in the 1970s.

More:Quest for new Salem city flag garners student designs, submissions from around the world

The council is also set to hear tentative plans to consolidate several properties at the former Union Gospel Mission site at 345 Commercial St. NE for redevelopment. The city now owns the property and plans to demolish the building, opening it for redevelopment, including affordable housing and mixed-use.

The old Union Gospel Mission building in downtown Salem.
The old Union Gospel Mission building in downtown Salem.

More:What's happening to the old Union Gospel Mission now the new men's mission is open?

Other agenda items include:

  • Appointment of Eleanor Beatty as municipal judge pro tempore.

  • A public hearing regarding three easements adjacent to Reed Road SE at its intersections with Strong Road SE and Lindburg Road SE in connection with street improvements.

  • An economic development quarterly report.

Explainer: What are the rules around public meetings and public comment in Oregon?

The meeting is at 6 p.m. It is virtual and can be watched on Comcast Cable CCTV Channel 21 or on the Salem YouTube channel in English/American Sign Language and Spanish.

Written public comments on agenda items can be emailed by 5 p.m. Monday to cityrecorder@cityofsalem.net. Or pre-register between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday at cityofsalem.net/Pages/Public-Comment-at-Salem-City-Council-Meeting.aspx to speak during the meeting via Zoom.

For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-910-6616 or follow on Twitter @wmwoodworth

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Salem council talks Union Gospel Mission demolition plan