SALEM, MA – The City of Salem, MA is proceeding with the commencement of the Old Town Hall Restoration Phase 1: Exterior Preservation and Accessibility Improvements Project. For the past five years, the City has worked with the community to develop a plan for Old Town Hall and secure funding to restore, preserve, and enhance—in historically appropriate ways—this beloved iconic historic structure in the heart of downtown Salem.
The full project will take place in two phases. This initial phase is strictly focused on the weather-sealing and restoration of the exterior of the building and the creation of fully accessible entrances. Design and permitting is complete and construction will begin this month.
Work is projected to begin on Thursday, February 13, 2025 and has been approved to take place 7:00am-6:00pm Monday through Friday with no substantial noise before 8:00am or after 5:00pm, and 8:00am-5:00pm Saturdays. Sundays and holidays are excluded. While this work will impact the areas in Derby Square directly adjacent to the Hall, pass-through pedestrian access will be maintained at all times. Old Town Hall itself will remain operational throughout construction. We anticipate the project to be fully completed by June 30, 2025.
A summary of the exterior work to be completed during the initial phase is as follows:
- Improve existing accessible entrance at north façade doors and sidewalk area.
- Provide accessible entrance to basement at southeast corner along east elevation.
- Repairs to exterior doors for improvements to life safety and egress conditions.
- Provide selective masonry repairs to brickwork and brownstone sills.
- Remove five abandoned grilles at exterior façade and tooth-in brickwork to match.
- Selective repairs to windows and provide exterior historically appropriate storm windows.
- Upgrades to existing snow guard rails and ice melt system.
- Selective restoration of slate roof
- Restoration of cupola
- Miscellaneous in-kind repairs to exterior and prep/repainting of previously painted wood.
Funding for this phase of the project comes from the City of Salem and grants from the Salem Community Preservation Committee, Massachusetts Historical Commission, Massachusetts Cultural Council, and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism. The second phase of the project will focus on the interior and includes structural preservation as well as heating, cooling, fire prevention, accessibility, and acoustical improvements. It will take several years to secure funding for the second phase.
Should you have any questions or concerns about this project or its impacts to Derby Square, please contact Julie Barry, City of Salem Senior Planner for Arts & Culture at jbarry@salem.com or 978-619-5685.
To learn more about the project visit: https://www.salemma.gov/old-town-hall/pages/renovation-and-restoration-project.
