Plans to revitalize downtown Salisbury parking lots set in motion
SALISBURY, Md. – Efforts to revitalize downtown Salisbury are moving fast. The city is saying goodbye to their parking lots and revealing new plans for apartment buildings and even a town square.
“That’s a big step forward for the city, it’s the first time we’ve sold parking lots in downtown Salisbury,” explains Mayor Jake Day.
One by one, local developers have been taking advantage of the city of Salisbury’s offers to buy it’s parking lots in the downtown area. It’s something the city has been hoping for for years.
“Three years ago I knew they were having trouble selling parking lots but now they’re people lining up to buy them,” explains Bret Davis, a local developer with Davis Simpson.
Adding, “People are renting units before they are even coming on the market, which should tell you a lot about the progress coming downtown.”
Parking Lots 1 and 11 are now sold, including the Salisbury Green. These lots that will soon become mixed use developments.
“Right across from the parking garage will soon become a city town square. And that will be a square where New Year’s Eve can happen and all sorts of events can occur and then right behind that will be a mixed use development. Ground floor restaurants and retail and civic spaces,” says Day.
Projects that are just adding to a long list of ones that are already in the works.
Davis explains, “Lot 16 will be a 36-unit apartment building it will have a third-floor sky deck for lounging, having a drink. There also be a third-floor gym that will overlook the river walk.”
But as the city gets rid of its parking lots the question is, where will people park? That’s something the city is leaving up to the developers.
“So we’ve required in each of these developments the developer, although by code the city code does not require any parking, that in the downtown area we required under contract so as a condition of sale that they plan for these things.”
And despite the lack of public lots, the city is excited for the revitalization and what’s to come and hope the residents and visitors hang tight during the construction phases.
“I think in 2019 we will see more progress in downtown Salisbury than in the past 20 years combined,” adds Davis.
With so many plans set in motion for this coming yea, downtown Salisbury is set to look drastically different in the coming years.
The city is also attempting to sell Lot 10, which many know as the parking lot that houses the Saturday flea market. The city is asking developers to use the space for a 12 screen theater, restaurants, parking spaces, and other mixed used areas on the top floors.
Day tells us most of these projects will move forward with council approval in January.
