Related Beal, State Partners Announce $38 Million Loring Towers Renovation
SALEM — A $38 million renovation of Loring Towers, announced by developer Related Beal alongside Related Affordable, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and MassHousing, is Salem's biggest story beyond City Hall this week, according to a New England Real Estate Journal report. The overhaul comes as the city also faces fresh scrutiny over last week's decision to end its Flock Safety camera contract, with WCVB publishing new detail on the data-privacy concerns behind that move.
TOWN HALL Salem City Hall is soliciting nominations for the Sam Zoll Civic Leadership Award, honoring a resident whose public service, volunteering or community-building work strengthens the city, according to the town's News Flash. Nominations are open now.
The city's "Feeling Fresh" hygiene product drive has also returned, with officials asking residents to donate new, unopened personal care items to support local students by August 12.
Separately, the newly formed Taxpayer Relief Committee — created under state law to oversee Salem's new Taxpayer Aid Fund — is now recruiting three residents to serve on the panel. And this fall, all Salem residents will again get free admission to Zoo New England throughout September as part of the city's September Salem Days program.
COMMUNITY & ARTS An exclusive Seaside Soirée aboard the tall ship Pride of Baltimore II is set for July 31, a cocktail fundraiser benefiting Salem400+ and Heritage Days programming, according to the city. The celebration continues August 1 as the ship's public welcome leads into the Salem 400+ Heritage Days Parade and Festival.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS "Related Beal to complete a $38 million renovation to Loring Towers in Salem, MA," the New England Real Estate Journal reports. Related Beal, Related Affordable, the Commonwealth and MassHousing are partnering on a full upgrade of the affordable-housing complex (read it at https://nerej.com/related-beal-to-complete-a-38-million-renovation-to-loring-towers-in-salem-ma).
"Salem cuts ties with Flock Safety over data privacy concerns," per WCVB, which reports the city's decision not to renew its license-plate-reader contract was driven partly by how the company stored and used collected data — a story the town's News Flash also covered this week (read it at https://www.wcvb.com/article/flock-camera-contract-ending-salem-ma-july-24/73258537).
"Salem Residents To Ride For A Cure At Pan-Mass Challenge," Patch reports. More than 6,000 riders and 4,000 volunteers are expected to take part in the two-day cycling fundraiser beginning August 1, with Salem residents among the participants (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem).
Compiled from official town feeds, community organizations, and local press. Outside reporting is attributed inline.