The city finally agreed to a dedicated funding plan for our brick sidewalks. It was a long fight and I am drained but the preservation of our history is secure. Keep a close eye on the budget meetings so they follow through on this promise.
February 16, 2024
Final supporters
Historic Salem Inc., Brick Coalition’s mission:
“For the City of Salem to embrace the idea that brick sidewalks are an integral and significant part of Salem’s historic aesthetic.”
The footpaths traveled by Salem’s predecessors that mark our place in history are being eroded by ad hoc repair methods - concrete and asphalt patches. Brick lasts longer, is easy to install, and preserves our historic character. We need to put in place a plan that restores our brick walkways, and does not leave it to random and changing repair practices.
The brick sidewalks in Salem’s historic districts need attention. In many cases they receive minimal maintenance from the city, and over the years have been haphazardly patched.
In numerous locations these sidewalks are in disrepair and are dangerous to pedestrians, especially to the elderly and those who use wheelchairs and walkers.
The solution to the problem is not removing bricks and affecting the historic aesthetic that Salem is known for. Properly maintained, bricks last far longer than their concrete and asphalt counterparts.
We the undersigned request that the City of Salem adopt and fund a program to repair and replace the historically significant brick sidewalks in the McIntire and other Historic districts.
This program and its funding should be identified and transparent and shall be considered within the City’s budget on an annual basis.
Please note that any donations solicited on subsequent web pages are for the ipetitions website, not for Historic Salem, Inc. or the Brick Sidewalk Coalition.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
February 8, 2024
February 7, 2024
The path forward has been grueling and my patience is wearing thin as we watch more historic brick get replaced by cheap asphalt. We are approaching one thousand signatures and hitting that mark is the only way to force the city to finally acknowledge our demands. Please send this link to anyone who cares about the character of our streets before we lose more of our history to neglect.
July 29, 2023
Seeing this much support for our sidewalks confirms that the character of our city is worth fighting for. The path ahead feels long and the work is exhausting but I am not stopping now.
Reached 100 supporters
June 20, 2023
June 17, 2023
The path forward is exhausting but we are near the first hundred signatures. Please take a moment to push this into new circles so we can show the city we are not backing down.
274 Comments
Please restore Salem’s brick sidewalks! As a tourist that visits every year the brick sidewalks are a huge part of Salem’s charm to me. They definitely add beauty to the city. I can’t imagine the brick sidewalks not being there anymore.
We are in desperate need for everyone’s safety to get these historical bricks fixe for once! My mother tripped over a brick that was loose and uneven. She was badly hurt on her knees and hands. Luckily she didn’t hit her head. Let’s get this in action asap!
So disappointed to see the City of Salem replace brick sidewalks with cement along Derby St. They should all be maintained as needed by the city. Again, residents are ignored and their tax money wasted on changes we don't want. Sadly typical.
It is in the City’s best interest to protect and preserve the city’s historic character. With the 400th anniversary of Salem’s founding rapidly approaching, now would be a good time to make significant improvements in the City’s infrastructure starting with the brick paver sidewalks.
Brick is the historically appropriate material for sidewalks in the historic districts of Salem. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, brick is the correct choice for environmental reasons because it is permeable, unlike asphalt and concrete.
I'm a big supporter of this. The areas of sidewalk that have been going in around Salem make the town look like a manufactured suburb. This is a beautiful coastal town with more historical significance than most and brick upholds that history and aesthetic.
“Save Our Bricks!” -Richard M. (President at McMullen Masonry and More, Corp)
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The city finally agreed to a dedicated funding plan for our brick sidewalks. It was a long fight and I am drained but the preservation of our history is secure. Keep a close eye on the budget meetings so they follow through on this promise.
February 16, 2024
Final supporters
Historic Salem Inc., Brick Coalition’s mission:
“For the City of Salem to embrace the idea that brick sidewalks are an integral and significant part of Salem’s historic aesthetic.”
The footpaths traveled by Salem’s predecessors that mark our place in history are being eroded by ad hoc repair methods - concrete and asphalt patches. Brick lasts longer, is easy to install, and preserves our historic character. We need to put in place a plan that restores our brick walkways, and does not leave it to random and changing repair practices.
The brick sidewalks in Salem’s historic districts need attention. In many cases they receive minimal maintenance from the city, and over the years have been haphazardly patched.
In numerous locations these sidewalks are in disrepair and are dangerous to pedestrians, especially to the elderly and those who use wheelchairs and walkers.
The solution to the problem is not removing bricks and affecting the historic aesthetic that Salem is known for. Properly maintained, bricks last far longer than their concrete and asphalt counterparts.
We the undersigned request that the City of Salem adopt and fund a program to repair and replace the historically significant brick sidewalks in the McIntire and other Historic districts.
This program and its funding should be identified and transparent and shall be considered within the City’s budget on an annual basis.
Please note that any donations solicited on subsequent web pages are for the ipetitions website, not for Historic Salem, Inc. or the Brick Sidewalk Coalition.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
February 8, 2024
February 7, 2024
The path forward has been grueling and my patience is wearing thin as we watch more historic brick get replaced by cheap asphalt. We are approaching one thousand signatures and hitting that mark is the only way to force the city to finally acknowledge our demands. Please send this link to anyone who cares about the character of our streets before we lose more of our history to neglect.
July 29, 2023
Seeing this much support for our sidewalks confirms that the character of our city is worth fighting for. The path ahead feels long and the work is exhausting but I am not stopping now.
Reached 100 supporters
June 20, 2023
June 17, 2023
The path forward is exhausting but we are near the first hundred signatures. Please take a moment to push this into new circles so we can show the city we are not backing down.
274 Comments
As an archaeologist I understand the importance of the preservation of this beautiful cultural resource and the contribution to the history of this place. And as a constant visitor I adore walking on that street.
Please restore Salem’s brick sidewalks! As a tourist that visits every year the brick sidewalks are a huge part of Salem’s charm to me. They definitely add beauty to the city. I can’t imagine the brick sidewalks not being there anymore.
We are in desperate need for everyone’s safety to get these historical bricks fixe for once! My mother tripped over a brick that was loose and uneven. She was badly hurt on her knees and hands. Luckily she didn’t hit her head. Let’s get this in action asap!
So disappointed to see the City of Salem replace brick sidewalks with cement along Derby St. They should all be maintained as needed by the city. Again, residents are ignored and their tax money wasted on changes we don't want. Sadly typical.
It is in the City’s best interest to protect and preserve the city’s historic character. With the 400th anniversary of Salem’s founding rapidly approaching, now would be a good time to make significant improvements in the City’s infrastructure starting with the brick paver sidewalks.
Brick is the historically appropriate material for sidewalks in the historic districts of Salem. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, brick is the correct choice for environmental reasons because it is permeable, unlike asphalt and concrete.
I'm a big supporter of this. The areas of sidewalk that have been going in around Salem make the town look like a manufactured suburb. This is a beautiful coastal town with more historical significance than most and brick upholds that history and aesthetic.
“Save Our Bricks!” -Richard M. (President at McMullen Masonry and More, Corp)
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As an archaeologist I understand the importance of the preservation of this beautiful cultural resource and the contribution to the history of this place. And as a constant visitor I adore walking on that street.