Work has begun on a Framework Plan for investments in Shetland Park, one of the city’s largest privately-owned commercial properties. The initiative will bring together input and priorities from community members and the property owner into a shared vision for the site’s future. The resulting Framework Plan will strive to balance the goals of the neighborhood, owner, and City as investments are made in this historic commercial/industrial waterfront site.
“I’m grateful to the members of the Framework Plan working group for offering their time and perspectives to this important process,” said Mayor Driscoll. “We’ve encouraged the property owner to be responsive to stakeholders concerns and questions and thoughtful about how the role and impact this major site has in our larger community. My hope is that the Framework that emerges from this process will be one that is workable for those who live near or work at Shetland, the owners of the property, and our community as a whole. This is an exciting opportunity for our city and we want to make sure investments in this site include insights and are shaped by community needs and feedback.”
An affiliate of Saratoga Springs, NY-based Prime Group Holdings owns Shetland Park. “Prime Group has always sought community involvement and support in the redevelopment of Shetland Park,” said Prime Group’s CEO Robert Moser, adding that he “anticipates that this process for production of a Framework Plan will lead to the best way forward for this critical redevelopment in the City of Salem.”
“I am very excited to be part of this important process,” said City Councillor Bob McCarthy, who represents Ward 1 where Shetland Park is located. “I look forward to hearing from the neighborhood and the City as a whole, as we work with the new owners of this site and develop a shared vision for it moving forward.”
There will be several opportunities over the coming months for the public to provide ideas and feedback for the Framework Plan. Prime Group already has contributed $100,000 to fund this effort. The City has retained Sasaki Associates to help with the planning process, which is centered around expansive and diverse community engagement.
The process started in February with a workshop that brought together City officials, a team from Sasaki, and representatives from Prime Group and their master planner (Arrowstreet) and project manager (Avison Young). The workshop confirmed the scope of the study and the engagement process. Eleven community members were then invited to help guide the ongoing outreach process. Most of the working group consists of residents and organizations based in the Point neighborhood.
Upcoming opportunities for the public to participate include a Community Listening Session and an online survey. Sasaki will then take the public feedback and create draft plans for additional comment and reaction at a second community event and via a second online survey. In addition, with guidance from the working group, Sasaki will convene several smaller focus groups to get a “deep dive” perspective from specific segments of impacted community members. A project website will also be developed, to transparently share out information about the process and feedback. The team currently anticipates that the final report with up to three variations of the framework will be ready for public review in early summer.
More details about the Framework Plan, how to participate in the listening session and online survey, and the working group can be found at PublicInput.com/ShetlandPark.
Shetland Park is an approximately 1.5 million square foot development located southeast of downtown Salem along Congress Street in the Point neighborhood. Once home to the Naumkeag Steam Cotton Company, the property is currently the site of a wide variety of commercial and industrial businesses, government, and non-profit organizations, including a charter school and community health center. If you have any questions or want to learn more about the project, please reach out to Senior Planner, Cassie Moskos at cmoskos@salem.com or 978-619-5686.
