Salem-Keizer's "Working Together" sign could be replaced

The Salem City Council will vote on whether to remove and replace the Salem-Keizer “Working Together” monument — a brick wall at the city limits that collapsed after several collisions with drunk drivers.

The sign at the intersection of Stark Street N-Broadway Street NE-River Road N was built in 1993 in collaboration with private citizens and city leaders from Salem and Keizer.

It soon became known as a magnet for drunk drivers and was hit at least eight times. The damage from recent accidents still needs to be repaired.

Current repairs are estimated to cost $39,510. Previous repairs have cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Salem officials said repairing the sign has become “arduous.”

The City Council will vote on whether to approve the removal of the brick structure and replace it with an easier-to-repair welcome sign.

“Since its construction, the entrance has been in disrepair for an extended period of time and no longer serves as a welcoming feature to the community,” city staff said in a report to council. “Removing the circular brick structure and replacing it with traditional welcoming entrance signs will ensure lower replacement costs if the area is again impacted by motor vehicles in the future.”

They said staff will also consider roadway markings such as lane arrows and additional signage.

City leaders said Keizer officials support the proposal to replace the brick structure. The final design of the sign will be discussed with Keizer prior to selection.

Other items on the Salem City Council agenda

A vote on whether to seek $20 million in funding from the Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant Program to create a resiliency hub network and improve energy efficiency for low-income households including the provision of portable heat pumps.
A vote on appointments to the Citizens' Budget Committee.
A motion from Councilwoman Virginia Stapleton to direct staff to submit a report on the introduction of a business licensing requirement in the city.
A quarterly information report on economic development.

How to attend the Salem City Council meeting

The meeting will take place at 6:00 p.m. It will be held in person at the City Council meeting rooms at the Salem Civic Center, 555 Liberty St. SE, and can be viewed on Comcast Cable CCTV Channel 21 or on Salem's YouTube channel in English/American Language and Spanish.

Anyone who would like to comment in person can sign up to the participant list at the hall entrance before the start of the meeting.

Written public comments on agenda items may be emailed to [email protected] by 5 p.m. Monday. Or pre-register to speak during the meeting via Zoom at cityofsalem.net/Pages/Public-Comment-at-Salem-City-Council-Meeting.aspx on Monday between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Statesman Journal reporter Capi Lynn contributed to this report.

For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at [email protected], call 503-910-6616 or follow X at @wmwoodworth

Other items on the Salem City Council agenda

How to attend the Salem City Council meeting

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