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Candidates propose mix of parking, transit and street design changes to ease downtown congestion
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Summary
At the Salem councilor-at-large forum candidates offered differing emphases — perimeter garages and shuttles, pedestrian-first street design, pricing during peak tourist season, roundabouts, and enforcement — as solutions to downtown parking and traffic while stressing pedestrian safety.
Candidates at a Salem candidate forum described a range of proposals to address Downtown Salem’s parking shortages, pedestrian safety and seasonal congestion, with consensus that no single solution will fix the problem.
“Salem is a community worth visiting. It’s a vibrant downtown. It has a parking problem,” said Ty Halfworth, who urged perimeter garages and an active shuttle system so the downtown core is less car-dependent. John Harvey argued against removing on-street parking and urged preserving existing street parking while studying the Church Street lot for redevelopment. “We need to stop taking parking spots away,” he said.
Safety and traffic-flow proposals: Several candidates recommended safety-oriented street redesigns that also smooth vehicle flow. Conrad Brosniewski and others advocated roundabouts (rotaries) and updated traffic signals; Brosniewski said rotaries “help traffic move smoothly” and also provide pedestrian refuges. Councilor Alice Merkel and others highlighted the city’s Safe Streets programs and a $750,000 budget boost for sidewalk repairs; Merkel said traffic-calming measures such as speed humps and raised crosswalks can “calm the traffic.”
Transit, pricing and behavior change: Candidates suggested increasing transit options and walkable zoning. Kyle (first name used in forum) and Ty Halfworth both advocated expanding the Salem Skipper shuttle and improving MBTA connections, including a possible South Salem rail stop. Halfworth proposed a parking-benefit district or seasonal pricing to discourage tourist driving during the October season and to generate revenue for year-round services.
Enforcement and technology: Brosniewski and others recommended stepped-up traffic enforcement and explored automated solutions: Merkel noted mixed feedback on an automated resident-parking sticker program and pointed to an upcoming council meeting for public input. Brosniewski suggested red-light cameras might improve intersection compliance, while other candidates urged better maintenance reporting by residents (seeClickFix) to fix broken walk signals and crosswalk issues promptly.
Why this matters: Downtown parking and October-season tourism directly affect residents’ quality of life, local businesses, and the city’s ability to balance safety with mobility. Candidates emphasized a combination of infrastructure, zoning, pricing and outreach rather than a single quick fix.
Ending: Candidates urged a mix of measures — transit, targeted parking facilities, pricing during peak tourist seasons, pedestrian-first design and enforcement — and invited public input at council meetings.
