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SSU Neighborhood Advisory Committee Mintues 01/15/2014
Salem State University Neighborhood Advisory Committee
January 15, 2014 – Minutes
7:00pm - SSU Central Campus - Enterprise Center

Attendees:      Maureen Call, Jack Hoar, Marcia Lambert, Adria Leach, Dana Lothrop, Richard Riggs, Jim Rose, and Councillor Josh Turiel

Absent:         Councillor Robert McCarthy, Shawn Newton, Councillor Joseph O’Keefe, and Dominick Pangallo

Guests: Gail Rosenberg (Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance); Andrea Leers and Natasha Espada (Leers Weinzapfel Associates); Shauna Gillies Smith (Ground~Inc.); Michael Fusco (Turner Construction Company); Adam Keane (Leftfield)

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES
  • LIBRARY/LEARNING COMMONS & PHASE II DECONSTRUCTION – Adria Leach, Salem State University
  • No update; Site work is on hold until spring. The schedule is weather dependent, and the university will keep the committee posted on the schedule as it becomes know.
  • RESIDENCE HALL & ENABLING PROJECTS – Michael Fusco, Turner Construction Company
  • Utility relocation is progressing.
  • The logistics plan for the full residence hall construction is expected to be presented at the February 19 meeting.
  • CANAL STREET PARKING LOT – Michael Fusco
  • Interior abatement is mobilizing in the large blue building on the former Weir Property. This process should take approximately one month.
  • Fencing around the two buildings scheduled for demolition will begin to go up next week.
  • Abatement in the back building near Rose Street is expected to begin in mid-February.
  • Structural demolition is expected to begin in mid-to-late February.
  • Trucks will enter and leave the site through existing curb cuts. The contractor is aware that Broadway is a non-truck route.
  • The abatement is for led and asbestos and is regulated by the Department of Environmental Protection. Interior and exterior air monitoring will be in place throughout the abatement process.
  • The temporary lot is expected to yield over 200 parking spaces. This is more than what will be lost on Central Campus.
SOPHIA GORDON CENTER FOR THE CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS PRESENTATION – DCAMM & Design Team
  • Adria Leach introduced Gail Rosenberg of the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM).
  • Gail explained that there will be a renovation and upgrade of the Mainstage Theatre on Lafayette Street as it is transformed into the Sophia Gordon Center for the Creative and Performing Arts. She explained that the project is in the design development phase and introduced Andrea Leers and Natasha Espada of Leers Weinzapfel Associates and Shauna Gillies Smith of Ground~Inc. to present the design of the renovation.
  • The presentation can be viewed at salemstate.edu/construction under the Sophia Gordon Center for the Creative and Performing Arts heading. Highlights of the presentation included:
  • Purpose of the project is to design and create a fully functioning theatre for teaching. Project goals include:
  • Provide a venue for campus-wide assembly and functions
  • Upgrade building envelope, systems, and accessibility for full code compliance
  • Provide a new face to the campus and community
  • Create informal social and gathering spaces
  • The renovation will remain within the existing footprint of the building.
  • The renovation will make the building accessible and bring it into the 21st century.
  • The new space will reduce the seating to approximately 470 but will include a balcony and a more intimate setting.
  • Slides of the proposed design we shown and can be seen on the website noted above.
  • The architect explained that the sign in the drawing is a placeholder and the team is at the very beginning stages of sign development. It is pictured at roughly 18 feet high and approximately 3-4 feet wide. The architect will look at the code for signage in Salem.
  • The construction manager will be chosen by March, and the project is expected to last for 18 to 20 months.
  • The contractor will present logistic plans for construction at a subsequent meeting.
  • Questions/Comments
  • A committee member requested that the sign be kept consistent with what exists now; no blinking lights, no color or scrolling messaging.
  • Will the name on the side of the building be illuminated? – It is not expected to be illuminated.
  • Is the door on the front of the drawing an entrance? – This is still in the design phase but is likely to be an exit-only door.
  • What is the intent of the interior wall? Will this cause traffic distractions? – This wall will likely be LED screens that are used for informational messaging and promotion of events. This wall is not expected to be visible by oncoming traffic.
  • Will there be lighting on the canopy on the front porch of the building as there is now? What is the lighting plan? – The conversation around lighting has just started. Lights will be needed to light walk ways for safety, but canopy lighting is not expected. Lighting will highlight qualities of the building without glaring into the neighborhood.
  • Will there be a safe drop off for visitors? Will the handicapped spaces move? – Any changes to the street would be a city decision. The university will work with the city to determine if changes need to be made to the parking and/or service zones near the building entrance.
  • What is the magnitude of lighting expected through the second floor windows? – Shades will be included in the second floor space as well as room darkening shades so it can be used as a black box theatre space. The usage will be reviewed as the programming of this space is further developed.
  • The committee and neighbors expressed appreciation for the proposed improvements to the space but requested to be further involved in the discussion on landscaping and signage.
  • What is the platform near the oak tree in the drawing? – It is a potential impromptu space for theatre, seating, outdoor hangout space.
ISSUES IN PROGRESS
  • TOBACCO FREE CAMPUS – Councillor Josh Turiel
  • No smoking on the bike path is in ordinance with City Council.
  • NEIGHBORHOOD DISTURBANCES
  • There are still issues with students parking in front of homes for extended periods of time on Loring Avenue. Is it possible to flyer windows again?
  • UPCOMING PROJECT STATUS UPDATES
  • The RFP for design of the science space is out.
NEW BUSINESS
  • SALEM DINER OPEN FOR BUSINESS – Salem Diner is now open for business. The community is welcome.
MEETING SCHEDULE
  • The next meeting of the SSUNAC will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. in the Enterprise Center Training Room B located on Central Campus at 121 Loring Avenue.