Letter: Historic city has lost its way

May 16, 2008 12:22 am

—

To the editor:

Unlike Newburyport and Portsmouth, Salem has lost its way.

It all began in October 1954 with the demolition of the unique and castle-like railroad station directly across from the post office. Then, back in the 1960s under Mayor Collins and his redevelopment authority, urban renewal began. By the time Mayor Zoll stopped the bulldozing, 137 building had been torn down, including five movie theaters, a large number of homes and over 100 retail establishments. The latter included the Sears Roebuck, Woolworth, and Almy's department stores.

This was done even though Blair Associates, the study group required under urban renewal regulations, recommended no destruction. Blair called for rehabilitation and period signage.

Now we are poised to disgrace Salem even more by abandoning, rather than rehabilitating, two historic and majestic courthouses; and to make matters even worse, we are eliminating the east ramp of the North Street overpass. This will force all traffic to cross in front of automobiles coming over the bridge from North Salem. Of course, there will be the inevitable traffic light at the base of the bridge to allow this mayhem.

The persons responsible for this disgrace should go back to their drawing board.

Salem's new slogan: Destination Impossible!

WILLIAM RUSSELL BURNS JR.

Salem