PROJECT OVERVIEW
Brick sidewalks are a defining feature of Salem’s historic streetscape, particularly within the city’s Local Historic Districts.
These sidewalks contribute to the visual character and historic setting of Salem’s neighborhoods, forming an integrated streetscape alongside historic buildings, granite curbing, and traditional street layouts.
Over time, however, the maintenance and repair of these sidewalks has become an ongoing preservation issue. City repairs have often relied on a mixture of paving materials—including asphalt patches, concrete sections, and brick—resulting in fragmented sidewalks that can detract from the historic character of these areas. In some cases, deteriorated sections of brick sidewalks have been replaced entirely with modern materials rather than repaired in kind.
The conversation around sidewalk maintenance in Salem reflects a broader preservation question: how cities can balance accessibility, durability, cost, and safety while maintaining the historic materials that contribute to neighborhood character.
Historic Salem, Inc. (HSI) and community members have been working with city officials and neighborhood groups to explore ways to better preserve historic paving materials while maintaining safe and functional sidewalks for residents and visitors.
WHY IT MATTERS
HSI established a community working group in 2021—now known as the Brick Committee—to advocate for the preservation and thoughtful maintenance of Salem’s historic brick sidewalks.
The effort grew in part from earlier work by the McIntire Neighborhood Association, which successfully advocated for brick-only repairs in portions of the McIntire Historic District.
The Brick Committee has worked to document historic paving, engage with City officials, and encourage policies that prioritize repairing brick sidewalks in kind rather than replacing them with incompatible materials. In 2022, committee members assisted City Councillor Ty Hapworth in developing an amendment to Salem’s sidewalk maintenance ordinance that would have strengthened protections for historic paving materials in Local Historic Districts. Although the amendment ultimately did not pass, the effort helped elevate the issue within City discussions.
Committee members have also conducted surveys of historic sidewalks, including a detailed paving map of the McIntire District that identifies areas needing repair and highlights opportunities for more consistent brick restoration. The group has collaborated with the Salem Historical Commission to incorporate guidance on sidewalks and paving materials into the Commission’s Design Guidelines, helping provide clearer direction for property owners and project applicants working within historic districts.
In 2024, the Brick Committee presented a petition with more than 1,100 signatures to Salem’s Mayor and Department of Public Services advocating for in-kind brick repairs within historic districts. City leadership acknowledged the importance of maintaining historic sidewalks while also noting the financial challenges associated with large-scale brick restoration.
HSI continues to work with residents, City officials, and preservation advocates to encourage repair approaches that respect the historic character of Salem’s streets while ensuring that sidewalks remain safe, accessible, and durable for everyday use.
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