Some Downtown Streets To Be Closed Nov. 28 For Holiday Parade (Photo)
- 11/26/25
SALEM, Ore. — Several road closures are planned in downtown Salem Nov. 28 for the fourth annual Downtown Salem holiday parade. The parade, hosted by the Salem Main Street Association, will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the corner of Capitol Street NE and Court Street NE.
Several blocks of downtown Salem, including Court Street NE, High Street NE, State Street and Liberty Street NE, will be impacted by the event.
To accommodate the parade, road closures will begin at 3 p.m. and are expected to remain in place until the event has ended. Please plan for increased traffic and consider alternate routes during the evening hours.
The parade will begin on Court Street NE east of the Oregon State Capitol, continuing west to High Street NE, heading south on High Street NE to State Street, west on State Street to Liberty Street NE, and north on Liberty Street NE ending at Court Street NE.
Free parking will be available throughout downtown Salem Nov. 27-30 in celebration of Small Business Saturday and the kickoff of the 2025 holiday shopping season.
Looking for more holiday fun? Save the date for additional downtown holiday events including the Riverfront Park Holiday Tree Lighting on Dec. 5 at 5:45 p.m. and the Jingle Bell Relay 5K in Riverfront Park on Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m.
Some Downtown Streets To Be Closed Nov. 28 For Holiday Parade (Photo)
- 11/26/25
SALEM, Ore. — Several road closures are planned in downtown Salem Nov. 28 for the fourth annual Downtown Salem holiday parade. The parade, hosted by the Salem Main Street Association, will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the corner of Capitol Street NE and Court Street NE.
Several blocks of downtown Salem, including Court Street NE, High Street NE, State Street and Liberty Street NE, will be impacted by the event.
To accommodate the parade, road closures will begin at 3 p.m. and are expected to remain in place until the event has ended. Please plan for increased traffic and consider alternate routes during the evening hours.
The parade will begin on Court Street NE east of the Oregon State Capitol, continuing west to High Street NE, heading south on High Street NE to State Street, west on State Street to Liberty Street NE, and north on Liberty Street NE ending at Court Street NE.
Free parking will be available throughout downtown Salem Nov. 27-30 in celebration of Small Business Saturday and the kickoff of the 2025 holiday shopping season.
Looking for more holiday fun? Save the date for additional downtown holiday events including the Riverfront Park Holiday Tree Lighting on Dec. 5 at 5:45 p.m. and the Jingle Bell Relay 5K in Riverfront Park on Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m.
City Launches Local Bidders Pilot Program
- 11/24/25
The City of Salem has implemented a Local Bidders Policy to support and promote businesses within city limits, and is looking for local bidders to sign up.
The policy requires City departments to seek quotes from at least one local vendor for purchases under $100,000. For purchases under $5,000, local vendors will be prioritized when prices are comparable.
This initiative, which began Nov. 17, is part of a pilot program aimed at strengthening our local economy and ensuring fair access to City procurement opportunities.
The policy will be reviewed in three months to assess its impact and effectiveness.
The City is asking local bidders who wish to be considered for the Local Bidders Pilot to fill out the Local Supplier Interest Form .
You can also reach the City's Procurement Office at contracts@CityofSalem.net
City Launches Local Bidders Pilot Program
- 11/24/25
The City of Salem has implemented a Local Bidders Policy to support and promote businesses within city limits, and is looking for local bidders to sign up.
The policy requires City departments to seek quotes from at least one local vendor for purchases under $100,000. For purchases under $5,000, local vendors will be prioritized when prices are comparable.
This initiative, which began Nov. 17, is part of a pilot program aimed at strengthening our local economy and ensuring fair access to City procurement opportunities.
The policy will be reviewed in three months to assess its impact and effectiveness.
The City is asking local bidders who wish to be considered for the Local Bidders Pilot to fill out the Local Supplier Interest Form .
You can also reach the City's Procurement Office at contracts@CityofSalem.net
New Lien Forgiveness Program To Benefit Salem Property Owners
- 11/12/25
Property liens waived for correction of code violations.
- New Lien Forgiveness Program benefits property owners and the community
- Program forgives liens for unpaid civil penalties and derelict structure fees if all Property Maintenance Code violations are corrected.
- Program began November 10, 2025, and all work must be completed by June 30, 2026
Salem, Ore. – Clearing property code violations just got easier. Salem is now offering a new Lien Forgiveness Program for property owners in the city that have received property code violations and have been unable to pay them.
Participants in the new lien forgiveness program will repair or restore their properties, correcting any code violations before June 30, 2026, and the City will forgive unpaid penalties and derelict structure fees.
The City of Salem Lien Forgiveness Program is a temporary program designed to encourage property owners to voluntarily correct public nuisances such as trash and debris, derelict structures, and other Property Maintenance Code violations on their properties, in exchange for the forgiving of City liens.
“This new program has been created to help property owners alleviate the financial burden of liens for distressed properties and reduces barriers for property transfers and property rehabilitation; benefiting the property owner and the community,” said Mitch Nickolds, Salem’s Compliance Services Manager and designated Health Officer.
Salem currently has 321 liens valued at $810,104 and there are 72 properties with City liens eligible for forgiveness. The City anticipates that participation in this program will provide a decrease in inspection services and associated costs of monitoring uncorrected Property Maintenance Violations.
Applicants can learn more about the program and download the application form at https://www.cityofsalem.net/community/neighborhoods/report-concerns/code-enforcement. Additional information about Salem’s Lien Forgiveness Program is available by calling 503-588-6421 or emailing mnickolds@cityofsalem.net.
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New Lien Forgiveness Program To Benefit Salem Property Owners
- 11/12/25
Property liens waived for correction of code violations.
- New Lien Forgiveness Program benefits property owners and the community
- Program forgives liens for unpaid civil penalties and derelict structure fees if all Property Maintenance Code violations are corrected.
- Program began November 10, 2025, and all work must be completed by June 30, 2026
Salem, Ore. – Clearing property code violations just got easier. Salem is now offering a new Lien Forgiveness Program for property owners in the city that have received property code violations and have been unable to pay them.
Participants in the new lien forgiveness program will repair or restore their properties, correcting any code violations before June 30, 2026, and the City will forgive unpaid penalties and derelict structure fees.
The City of Salem Lien Forgiveness Program is a temporary program designed to encourage property owners to voluntarily correct public nuisances such as trash and debris, derelict structures, and other Property Maintenance Code violations on their properties, in exchange for the forgiving of City liens.
“This new program has been created to help property owners alleviate the financial burden of liens for distressed properties and reduces barriers for property transfers and property rehabilitation; benefiting the property owner and the community,” said Mitch Nickolds, Salem’s Compliance Services Manager and designated Health Officer.
Salem currently has 321 liens valued at $810,104 and there are 72 properties with City liens eligible for forgiveness. The City anticipates that participation in this program will provide a decrease in inspection services and associated costs of monitoring uncorrected Property Maintenance Violations.
Applicants can learn more about the program and download the application form at https://www.cityofsalem.net/community/neighborhoods/report-concerns/code-enforcement. Additional information about Salem’s Lien Forgiveness Program is available by calling 503-588-6421 or emailing mnickolds@cityofsalem.net.
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Fall Leaf Management Helps Prevent Property Damage, Injuries (Photo)
- 11/12/25
SALEM, Ore. — Across Salem and the Willamette Valley, leaves are falling. Whether residents love or loathe this autumnal event, many will be asking themselves the same thing — what do I do with these leaves?
In Salem, City crews remove leaves from streets using street sweepers. In areas with more trees, additional loaders and dump trucks are used. Find your street sweeper schedule at https://www.cityofsalem.net/community/transportation-getting-around/traffic-road-conditions/find-your-streetsweeper-schedule.
Residents and business owners are asked to dispose of leaves responsibly. Raking or blowing leaves from lawns into the street is prohibited by Salem Revised Code 76.015. Blowing and dumping of leaves into the street can block drains and cause local street flooding dangerous for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.
Backed-up water can also damage homes and businesses. Proper leaf disposal requires picking up all the leaves that fall on your property to prevent them from clogging storm drains.
Here are some options for leaf management:
- Take them away
- Place leaves in your yard waste bin or take them to Brown’s Island Compost Facility at 2895 Faragate St. S
- Nourish your lawn
- Mulch-mow leaves to make no-cost natural fertilizer
- Insulate Plants
- Place over potted plants or garden beds to insulate plants for the winter
- Enhance your soil
- Mix shredded leaves into your soil to add organic matter
- Compost
- Add leaves to your compost pile
- Create habitat
- Create a small leaf pile away from your house for wildlife
- Mulch
- Put shredded leaves around trees and in garden beds
In past years, the City of Salem partnered with Marion County to host a Fall Leaf Haul; however, that program was discontinued in 2024 due to declining attendance. We thank everyone who participated and volunteered at this event through the years.
Travelers are also asked to use caution during wet leaf season. Wet leaves on roadways can make pavement slippery at intersections and for pedestrians and cyclists.
If you see issues with a storm drain or need to report flooding, contact Public Works Dispatch, at 503-588-6311 or service@cityofsalem.net.
Fall Leaf Management Helps Prevent Property Damage, Injuries (Photo)
- 11/12/25
SALEM, Ore. — Across Salem and the Willamette Valley, leaves are falling. Whether residents love or loathe this autumnal event, many will be asking themselves the same thing — what do I do with these leaves?
In Salem, City crews remove leaves from streets using street sweepers. In areas with more trees, additional loaders and dump trucks are used. Find your street sweeper schedule at https://www.cityofsalem.net/community/transportation-getting-around/traffic-road-conditions/find-your-streetsweeper-schedule.
Residents and business owners are asked to dispose of leaves responsibly. Raking or blowing leaves from lawns into the street is prohibited by Salem Revised Code 76.015. Blowing and dumping of leaves into the street can block drains and cause local street flooding dangerous for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.
Backed-up water can also damage homes and businesses. Proper leaf disposal requires picking up all the leaves that fall on your property to prevent them from clogging storm drains.
Here are some options for leaf management:
- Take them away
- Place leaves in your yard waste bin or take them to Brown’s Island Compost Facility at 2895 Faragate St. S
- Nourish your lawn
- Mulch-mow leaves to make no-cost natural fertilizer
- Insulate Plants
- Place over potted plants or garden beds to insulate plants for the winter
- Enhance your soil
- Mix shredded leaves into your soil to add organic matter
- Compost
- Add leaves to your compost pile
- Create habitat
- Create a small leaf pile away from your house for wildlife
- Mulch
- Put shredded leaves around trees and in garden beds
In past years, the City of Salem partnered with Marion County to host a Fall Leaf Haul; however, that program was discontinued in 2024 due to declining attendance. We thank everyone who participated and volunteered at this event through the years.
Travelers are also asked to use caution during wet leaf season. Wet leaves on roadways can make pavement slippery at intersections and for pedestrians and cyclists.
If you see issues with a storm drain or need to report flooding, contact Public Works Dispatch, at 503-588-6311 or service@cityofsalem.net.