[Salem] Downtown Salem Mixed Use
 

http://themeridian.biz/

Driving through Salem on Monday, I noticed a crane going up for this project. Personally, I think it's hideous, but the housing component is really exciting for the downtown area. There are a few other (less fugly) projects proposed, but it looks like this will be the first out of the gate.

With the state considering a study to extend Washington County Commuter Rail to Salem, I think downtown Salem could really become a hot area for redevelopment. It would be a nice alternative to suburbia without having to live in Portland.

Downtown Salem has nice bones and historic structures. Bush Park is awesome. There's talk of a streetcar too. Salem will eventually become a nice outer suburb to Portland with a nice center of its own. The question is how many decades will it take?

Hideous is being kind. It's like a train wreck, it's hard not to stare at the sheer horror.

I know, any density Salem can get is good at this point, but ouch!! Who's the architect?

ARCHITECT: http://www.arbucklecostic.com/

my ohhhhhhhhhh my. very unfortunate.

Does "embarrassment to the profession" do them justice?

Arbuckle/Costic? Well, caustic maybe....

Sorry, that was childish. But if anyone from A/C is reading this, seriously, what is your design intent here?

"what is your design intent here?"

very, very funny.

It's very unfortunate for Salem, but for some reason this firm seems to be very well connected and able to get some major projects. I think my favorite is

http://www.arbucklecostic.com/SmartObjects/9965-CapitolCourt_01.jpg

This beauty "will be situated on the north end of the Capitol Mall and has been designed to be architecturally complementary to the area." It looks more like a cross between a McMansion and a newer strip mall furniture store. The state should know better!

Wow, it look as if the 1990's threw this design up :yuck:

eww...gross...eww

even salem deserves better

^ I would say they are seriously confused...

and completely unable to put forth a coherent design. On any of their current or past projects. But then I didn't really need to say that, did I? :(

The people of Salem do make trips up to Portland from time to time right? Seriously, they sound look much better for being our capitol city. Maybe we could build a new capitol here and tell Salem that they have been demoted. Besides, Portland carries this state anyway.

Oh, my, gawd, look at that website. HTML 3.2 wants its internet back.

and the building? Holy mother of crap :yuck:

For years Sacramento was kinda the armpit of Califa's main cities, and than it took off and has grown quite well in the last decade. I can only hope Salem's renaissance will arrive in the next decade or so.

Here's a glimmer of hope for something mixed-use and potentially less stomach churning. It's an Urban Land Institute report on a potential redevelopment site in downtown Salem. This could really be a catalyst project for the whole city. Just keep it out of the hands of everyone's new favorite architectural firm!

Notice the commuter rail line in the drawings starting about page 25.

http://www.cityofsalem.net/export/departments/urbandev/uli/salem_uli_report.pdf

I went by the Meridian site this weekend, it's a huge pit right now.

It's not a design I like. However, what was here on this site before was beyond aweful. Oregon Cptl. Inn Hotel. Run down, drug infested, roach Hotel. A few summers ago a person was shot and killed in the lobby. As mediocre as it is, Thank god for the Meridian.

As someone who grew up in salem, i'm not the least bit surprised that design and quality architecture take a back seat in projects such as the meridian. The mindset down there is whatever gets it done and costs the least amount of money. There are a few other projects in the area i remember hearing about but can't recall specifics. I'll try to find them.

salem has some very beautiful older buildings with only the first floors in use. if they retrofitted and restored them, i would consider living downtown.

I am a new member... And from Salem!

I couldn't agree more with 99% of what you are all saying. The Meridian is terrible in terms of its massing, detail, and style(or lack thereof), but at least it is something. Salem needs density and housing downtown and this building is a start.

There is one precident, Salmon Run. It's on a different scale than what you see in Portland. What do you all think?

http://currybrandaw.com/salmon.php

Here is a link to an image of the project.

http://currybrandaw.com/index_flash.htm