TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Keith Stahley, City Manager
FROM: Brian D. Martin, PE, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:
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Request to Remove Circular Brick Structure from Salem-Keizer Together Entranceway
Ward(s): Ward 5
Councilor(s): Jose Gonzalez
Neighborhood(s): Highland Neighborhood Association
Result Area(s): Safe, Reliable and Efficient Infrastructure; Welcoming and Livable Community.
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SUMMARY:
summary
The Salem-Keizer Together welcome entranceway is located on a triangle-shaped traffic island at the intersection of River Road N, Stark Street N, and Broadway Street NE. The circular brick structure displaying welcome signs was constructed in the early 1990’s through a combination of public and private funds, facilitated by the Gateway Sign Committee formed by Salem Mayor R. G. Andersen-Wyckoff. Since its construction the brick structure has been struck multiple times by motor vehicles, necessitating its reconstruction, which has become burdensome to the City.
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ISSUE:
Shall City Council authorize removal of the existing circular brick structure and replacement with conventional entranceway welcome sign(s) that are easier to repair or replace when damaged.
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Authorize removal of the existing brick structure and replace with conventional entranceway welcome sign(s) that are easier to repair or replace when damaged.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
Since its construction, the entranceway has spent considerable time in a state of disrepair rather than as a welcoming feature for the community. Staff have modified the area on numerous occasions to minimize the crashes, while still trying to maintain aesthetic value. Some modifications have included the addition of reflectors, turf in lieu of asphalt, and delineator tubes.
Removal of the circular brick structure and replacement with conventional entranceway welcome signs will ensure lower replacement costs if the area is impacted by motor vehicles again in the future. Staff will also consider additional pavement markings such as lane arrows, as well as and additional signage.
The City of Keizer is supportive of a proposal to replace existing circular brick structure with an alternatively designed entranceway. Attachment 3 includes graphics on potential conventional signs to provide a visual example of the entranceway area. Actual sign graphics will be evaluated and discussed with the City of Keizer before a final sign is selected.
BACKGROUND:
The Salem-Keizer Together entranceway was constructed in the fall of 1993 on an existing triangle of land serving as a traffic island between River Road N, Stark Street N, and Broadway Street NE. Construction of the circular brick structure was completed in the spring of 1994 and the Salem-Keizer Together Gateway was dedicated in May of that year. The project was funded through $5,000 grants from both the City of Salem and the City of Keizer with the remainder of the funding coming from public donations and volunteer time contributions. Contributors to the project included Northwest Natural Gas, Keizer Area Chamber of Commerce, Keizer Sand and Gravel, Salem Sand and Gravel, Art Byers, DeSantis Landscaping, French Prairie Shade Trees, Mayor R.G. Andersen-Wyckoff, and Leisinger Designs. Routine maintenance of the entranceway over the years was performed and/or funded through Northwest Natural Corporation and the Dick Withnell family. The City of Salem currently maintains the landscaping through its right-of-way landscape contractor.
Within a year of completion, the brick structure was impacted by a drunk driver in March 1995 causing extensive damage to the southern side of the brick face and sign. The brickwork was rebuilt, but in the summer of 1997 the landmark was struck again, this time from the north. This cycle of impacts and repairs continue into the present day.
In 2016, during a project to repair the broken brick landmark, the concrete flares that led from the brick circle outward were removed and replaced with grass. The prevailing thought at the time was the installation of turf would help to differentiate the area from the roadway, potentially reducing the frequency of impacts.
In recent history, the brick structure has been struck multiple times, each of which resulted in large repair costs for the City of Salem. The following is the impact timeline over the last 3 years with cost of repair:
• October 2021 - $18,530
• May of 2022 - $22,250
• June of 2023 - Estimate of Repair $30,860
• Spring of 2024 - Damaged again prior to completion of 2023 repair - Estimate of Repair $39,510
If removal is not authorized, staff anticipates continued damage and repair cycles into the foreseeable future.
Brandon Klukis
Street Maintenance Operations Manager
Attachments:
1. 1990’s Aerial Image of Salem-Keizer Gateway
2. 2024 Satellite Imagery of Salem-Keizer Gateway
3. Salem-Keizer Monument Sign Gateway Concept