The Bridge at 211 shares vision at public meetings

The Bridge at 211, formerly the First Universalist Society of Salem, has embarked on an ambitious adaptive reuse study to ensure its vision of becoming a self-sustaining arts, performing arts, and education center. In a series of public meetings, they are sharing the preliminary results of that study with the community.

If you’d like to attend, RSVP to office@thebridge211.org with your contact information and indicate when you’d like to come. Meetings will be on:

Monday, September 19, 2022, at 1:00 p.m.

Monday, September 19, 2022, at 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at 11:00 a.m.

All meetings will be in Murray Hall at The Bridge (enter from the courtyard door). Parking is available in the MBTA lot or one of the city lots. Spaces adjacent to the building will not be available.

Work began on this adaptive reuse study in 2021 when the board voted to engage Webb Management, a widely recognized arts consultant, to confirm the need for an arts, performing arts, and arts education center in Salem. The study explored whether this plan could be sustainable, particularly after The Bridge took a major financial hit during the pandemic. Webb’s work has included:

• Conducting interviews with residents, artists, educators, arts organizations, and community leaders

• Purchasing and analyzing data on the local and regional population

• Researching local and regional performance and rehearsal facilities

• Collecting and analyzing local and regional planning documents, such as “Imagine Salem”

• Identifying and reviewing comparable regional and national projects

The extensive research that Webb conducted in this first phase supported the vision to move forward.

The Bridge at 211 recently received a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council specifically to continue work on the adaptive reuse study, allowing them to move to the next phase where a physical and business plan will help to create a roadmap for the future.