Construction is set to begin Monday, April 6, on a months-long revitalization of the Marion Parkade, a key downtown parking structure at 538 Liberty St. NE that serves workers, shoppers and visitors near Salem Center and surrounding businesses.
City officials say the work is designed to make the structure feel more open and easier to navigate, especially in the evening hours, while reducing long-term maintenance costs. The project is funded using Riverfront Downtown Urban Renewal dollars, and the construction contract has been awarded to PCL Construction Services LLC.
At the center of the redesign are major stairwell changes. The city says existing stairs will be replaced, and walls around the stair areas will be removed so people can more clearly see who is entering and exiting the building. New overhead roof structures are also planned above each staircase entrance, intended to provide weather protection and help the entrances stand out.
The project also targets the ground-floor edges of the structure. According to the city, solid walls that currently block sightlines will be replaced with perforated metal panels. The intent is to screen parked vehicles while improving visibility and transparency at street level, a change city staff describe as part of a broader effort to make the facility more welcoming.
Additional exterior upgrades include new signage and architectural features on the façade, along with updated exterior lighting aimed at increasing visibility and encouraging use at night. In city planning documents for the project, the work is described as addressing security and safety issues by replacing enclosed stair towers with open stairs and adding exterior elements such as canopies and screening.
For downtown businesses and employees, the big question is access. The city says the construction plan is phased, focusing on one corner of the structure at a time so that other areas can remain open. Permit and ADA parking will still be available, though locations may shift during the work. Visitor parking is also expected to remain available, with on-site signage directing drivers to open areas. The skybridge entrance to Salem Center Mall is expected to stay open throughout construction.
Drivers should also expect some traffic control measures around the site as work ramps up. City officials say signed traffic-control measures will be in place to support pedestrian and vehicle safety near the structure.
While most work is expected to occur during daytime hours, the city has flagged limited overnight construction tied to lane closures required by Salem’s traffic engineering division. The city’s current schedule lists nighttime work on High Street NE from May 26 through June 1, and on Liberty Street NE from Sept. 14 through Sept. 18. Overnight work is expected to run from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., with a sound permit planned for those periods. Nearby residents and businesses are expected to receive separate notice with details about any noise-related impacts.
The city is encouraging the public to watch for posted notices inside the facility during construction, including updates on closed areas, elevators and stairwells. For project updates, the city also offers an email notification list.
