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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tues., Jun. 30, 2009 CONTACT: Nicole Wahlberg, Public Information Manager New Fiscal Year – New Functions for Urban Development The City of Salem has combined divisions to better serve the community. Wed., Jul. 1, 2009 – Salem, Ore. – Urban Development will welcome several new divisions to the department beginning Jul. 1, the start to the City of Salem’s new fiscal year. As a result of these organizational shifts, Urban Development will manage more than 100 employees (up from 24 employees last year) and a combined annual budget of nearly $100 million. The new alignment of services is the result of a reorganization as part of the FY 2009/10 budget process with the aim of consolidating services, providing an avenue for cost savings, and furthering the economic development goals of the City of Salem. The Salem Housing Authority and Social Services joined Urban Development earlier this year. As of July 1, 2009, Parking Services and the Salem Municipal Airport will also be joining the Urban Development team. In addition to the new divisions, Urban Development will take over the property management agreements for the City’s historic and cultural resource properties: A.C. Gilbert House, Historic Deepwood Estate, Historic Bush House, and Salem’s Riverfront Carousel. “The Department will focus on core services like downtown revitalization, economic development, housing, and social services. Urban Development plans to leverage these resources to continue our effort to improve and maintain the vitality of the downtown core, generate additional private investment in our community and at the airport, create jobs, and address the needs of low and moderate income individuals and families in our community,” said Rick Scott, Urban Development Department Director. The Department will continue to manage an array of programs designed to enhance community prosperity. These programs include management of the City’s Urban Renewal Areas (URAs) and redevelopment projects within the URAs; administration of federally funded block grants and housing programs; offering loans and grants to eligible businesses, homeowners, and renters; and management of leases, acquisitions, and surplus properties for the City. The Parking Services Division, which will be integrated into the Downtown Revitalization Division, helps maintain the livability and economic prosperity of Salem's downtown by maximizing the benefits of parking on City streets, publicly-owned parking structures, and safety and security in and around our public parking structures and government buildings. Parking Policy in the downtown core will be a critical part of our continued efforts to create a vital and vibrant downtown. The Salem Municipal Airport (McNary Field) is located approximately two miles southeast of downtown Salem. Bordered by I-5 (east) and the Pacific Railroad (west), the 751-acre airport serves general aviation aircraft and the Oregon Army National Guard - Army Aviation Support Facility. With two jet runways and supporting taxiways, it has the capability to support recreational and commercial aircraft. The Airport serves as a strategic tool in the City’s economic development effort to increase business investment and jobs as part of the Economic Development Division. Salem Housing Authority (SHA) serves the Salem-Keizer low income community, providing the opportunity to live in decent, affordable housing, and to move out of poverty. The SHA offers rental assistance, self-sufficiency training, and home ownership counseling primarily for families with children, seniors, and persons with disabilities. The Urban Development Department will also manage the City’s Social Services funding allocations which provide financial support for: crisis intervention/emergency services, meals programs, emergency food, domestic and sexual violence prevention, resource assistance, homeless shelter, case management/advocacy, and transportation. By centralizing Social Services, the Salem Housing Authority, and CDBG and HOME programs, the Department can streamline and coordinate services to the most-needy citizens. These programs will become a part of the new Housing and Social Services Division. “The “new,” enhanced, Urban Development Department looks forward to the challenges and economic development opportunities that lie ahead as we build a stronger, more livable community,” said Rick Scott, Urban Development Department Director. For more information on the Urban Development Department, please refer to http://www.cityofsalem.net/DEPARTMENTS/URBANDEVELOPMENT/Pages/default.aspx. The City of Salem’s Urban Development Department is committed to enhancing community prosperity through an array of programs in its four major service areas, Economic Development, Downtown Revitalization, Housing and Social Services, and Real Property Services. The Urban Development Department: manages the City’s urban renewal areas (URA) and redevelopment projects within the URAs; administers federally funded block grant and housing programs; provides loans and grants to eligible businesses, homeowners, and renters; and manages leases, acquires, and sells properties for the City. # # #
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