Lgn4 & Community Revitglizgtion
BROWNFIELPS SUCCESS IN NEW EN6LAN
61 WARD STREET
SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS
Property Details
Property Address:
Property Size:
Former Use:
Contaminants Found:
Current Use:
Current Owner:
6 1 Ward St, Salem, MA
.02 acres
Gas station, taxi garage, auto repair, photo shop
Petroleum and lead
Traffic intersection and small park area
City of Salem
Project Partners
City of Salem
Motivation for Redevelopment: The redevelopment
of this property was driven by the need to create a safe
intersection, remove the blight associated with an abandoned
and neglected building, and construct a pocket park in the
densest neighborhood in Salem, Massachusetts. The initial
need for this project was recognized as far back as ten years
ago, and EPA funding secured in 2007 enabled the city to
move forward. Planning and community outreach for the
project began in October 2007. Community outreach included
multiple community meetings held in English and Spanish
to solicit input on the design of the pocket park and inform
residents of the city's goal for cleanup and redevelopment.
Following the city's procurement and contracting of the
project, cleanup work started in April 2009.
Property History: The Point Neighborhood in Salem,
Massachusetts was known for its rich maritime commerce
in the late 1700s; this transformed Salem into an industrial
town decorated with smokestacks. Salem was the center of
the leather tanning industry in the mid 1700s through the late
1980s. As tanning and manufacturing activities decreased,
abandoned and blighted properties increased. The 0.2-acre
Ward Street property previously housed a gas station, taxi
garage, auto repair, and finally a photo shop before falling
vacant. The neighborhood helped maintain the property
somewhat by painting the outside of the onsite building and
planting vegetation around the site. Finally, in 1990, the City
of Salem purchased the vacant property.
Project Results: In 2000, the City of Salem received an
EPA Pilot Brownfields Assessment grant to assess several
properties, one of which was the Ward Street property. The
property was assessed in September 2005, and in October
Funding Details
EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant:
EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant:
City of Salem:
(a portion of) $200,000
$200,000
$40,000
Project Highlights
Redevelopment efforts created a safe intersection and pocket park for
the densest neighborhood in Salem
Approximately 300 cubic yards of petroleum-impacted soil and urban
fill were excavated from the site
The reconfigured traffic circle is equipped with new Americans with
Disabilities Act sanctioned crosswalks and sidewalks
2007, the City of Salem received a $200,000 EPA Brownfields
Cleanup grant. Additionally, Salem provided a $40,000 match
for the project. Cleanup began in April 2009 and activities
included removal of small quantities of paints, chemicals and
roofing materials containing lead, and asbestos located in the
abandoned building. Following abatement, the building was
demolished. Subsequently, a total of approximately 300 cubic
yards of petroleum impacted soil and urban fill were excavated
and removed from the site for thermal treatment.
Redevelopment of the Ward Street intersection began in
August 2009. The intersection was reconfigured to improve
safety for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Improvements
include safer vehicular circulation, enhanced pedestrian
access, including new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
compliant crosswalks and sidewalks, new lighting, seating,
landscaping, and upgrades to the stormwater drainage system.
Additionally, this project provided National Power Grid
with the opportunity to repair and replace vintage gas lines
located in and around the project area. Plantings and benches
were installed in the pocket park in September 2009 and final
paving of the new intersection was completed in October
2009, totaling nearly $450,000 for all project costs.
Project Timeline
September 2005 Property Assessed
April 2009 Cleanup Begins
August 2009 Cleanup Ends; Redevelopment Begins
October 2009 Project Complete
November 2009
Local Contact: Carey Duques, Conservation Commission, City of Salem • (978) 745-9595 ext. 5685 • CDuques@salem.com
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