Bridge Street 'Eyesore' Selling for $990,000

SALEM, MA - The city of Salem is planning on selling the former Universal Steel site on Bridge Street to Webb’s Plumbing Supplies.

Mayor Kim Driscoll called the site, which is currently being used as a commuter parking lot, an “eyesore” on social media.

The sale is expected to open up 10 new jobs, increase commercial revenues by up to $90,000 a year and improve the aesthetics of the Bridge street area.

“When we took this parcel for back taxes in 2012, we did so with the intention of using it as a temporary parking lot, followed by a solicitation of proposals for re-development of the site in a manner that would be positive for the Bridge Street corridor and our overall community,” Driscoll wrote.

When Universal Steel abandoned the site it required more than $4 million in cleanup in addition to the more than $500,000 the company owed in back property taxes to the city. The property was also contaminated with PCBs and other chemicals.

The parcel will be sold for $990,000 and Webb’s plumbing has agreed to invest several million more dollars into building a new showroom, offices and supply space on the site.

Webb’s plumbing has been in Salem since 1944. The company is currently located in the brick building next door to the site but this location is not longe suited to their needs. Building a showroom on this new site will allow Webb’s Plumbing to stay in Salem.

The sale is currently pending before the city council and the process includes a vote to approve the sale and rezone the parcel.

The City Council will be holding a public hearing on the proposed sale of this parcel on January 26th at Salem City Hall where citizens will be encouraged to voice their opinions on the subject.

See more information HERE.