Salem unveils Resilient Together initiative for Collins Cove flooding mitigation

In the heart of Salem, Massachusetts, city officials gathered on July 10, 2025, to discuss a pivotal initiative aimed at enhancing the resilience of the Collins Cove neighborhood. Under the soft glow of city hall lights, the meeting kicked off with a warm welcome from Neil Duffy, the director of sustainability and resiliency for Salem. He emphasized the importance of community engagement, introducing simultaneous interpretation services for Spanish-speaking attendees, ensuring that everyone could participate in the conversation about their future.

The focus of the meeting was the "Resilient Together Collins Cove Park neighborhood" project, a key component of Salem's climate action plan, which was jointly adopted with Beverly in 2021. This initiative is part of a two-year grant funded by the Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management (CZM) agency, aimed at addressing the pressing issue of flooding in the area. Duffy highlighted that the project is not just about immediate solutions but also about gathering community feedback on potential concepts and alternatives to mitigate flooding.

Ellen Douglas, a senior project manager from AECOM, took the stage to elaborate on the technical aspects of the project. She explained that this meeting was a continuation of previous studies that examined the broader Collins Cove and Willows area. The insights gained from earlier assessments have led to the identification of specific interventions that could significantly reduce flooding risks in the Collins Cove Park neighborhood.

As the discussion unfolded, it became clear that the project team, which includes local partners like Salem Sound CoastWatch, is committed to a collaborative approach. They aim to engage the community in shaping the future of their neighborhood, ensuring that the solutions developed are not only effective but also reflective of the residents' needs and concerns.

The meeting served as a crucial platform for residents to voice their thoughts and ask questions, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose. As the city moves forward with this ambitious project, the commitment to resilience and sustainability shines brightly, promising a safer and more secure future for the Collins Cove community.