The City of Salem, in partnership with INDOT, will begin construction on Phase 2 of the S. Main Street rehabilitation project on November 17.

Phase 2 will follow the recent Phase 1 improvements, which extended from the north entrance of the downtown square to the Hackberry/Hwy 56 boundary. The new construction limits will run from the south entrance of the downtown square to the Blue River bridge.

The improvements include new curbs and gutters, storm sewer upgrades, improved lighting, ADA-compliant enhancements, and new street pavement. All work begins on November 17th, starting with storm sewer upgrades. The overall schedule depends on winter weather conditions, with major road work to resume in the spring.

No lane closures are expected, though minor lane modifications may arise during construction. All businesses will remain open and accessible throughout rehabilitation. 

We are pleased to present to you the Annual Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) for the year, for the period of January 1 to December 3: 2024. This report is intended to provide you with important information about your drinking water and the efforts made by the water system to provide safe drinking water. (Este informe contiene información muy importante sobre su agua potable. Tradúzcalo o hable con alguien que lo entienda bien).

Click here to view the Annual Water Quality Report - Opens in New Window

The City of Salem is proud to announce Senior Night On The Bricks, a special celebration to honor the 2025 graduating class of Salem High School. This event will take place on Thursday, May 9, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Brick Street, adjacent to Salem City Hall.

Friends, families, and community members are encouraged to attend and share in the celebration. The event will feature light refreshments and a festive atmosphere, offering a great opportunity to congratulate the Class of 2025 in the heart of historic downtown Salem.

“We are excited to kick off the On The Bricks series with an event that highlights the achievements and future of our community,” said Mayor Justin Green. “These students deserve to be recognized, and we invite everyone to come out and show their support.”

Salem, Indiana (April 17, 2025) – Mayor Justin Green has announced the demolition of an old apartment complex located in the southwest corner of the Salem square. The property, currently owned by the Redevelopment Commission, is set to be torn down as part of a city improvement project aimed at enhancing downtown accessibility.

Once demolition is complete, the space will be converted into a parking lot, providing additional parking options for residents, visitors, and local businesses. The project began on April 14 with completion scheduled for the end of summer.

“This project is another step forward in making Salem’s downtown more accessible and welcoming,” said Mayor Justin Green. “By repurposing this space, we are creating a long-term solution for parking while also improving the overall look and function of the square.”

The City of Salem will provide updates on the project timeline as work progresses.

The City of Salem is pleased to announce the latest developments at Lake Salinda, made possible through READI 1.0 grant funding. As part of ongoing efforts to enhance recreational opportunities in Salem, the grant is funding the construction of a new bathhouse, improving visitor amenities on-site.

In addition to the bathhouse, campsite development is currently underway, providing future opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy overnight stays at the lake. While a completion date for the campsites has yet to be determined, reservations will be handled through City Hall once the process is finalized.

Mayor Green expressed his excitement about the improvements, stating, "Lake Salinda is a valuable asset to our community, and these upgrades will enhance the visitor experience for years to come. We are grateful for the READI grant funding that allows us to make these much-needed improvements without additional cost to taxpayers."

An official ribbon-cutting ceremony will be announced soon to celebrate the completion of the bathhouse and highlight future developments.

During American Education Week, we celebrate education, inform the community about the importance of our schools, and honor local educators who make a difference in the lives of our students.

Local schools play an essential role in our community's success. With quality education and a supportive learning environment, the students in our community are empowered to reach their full potential and achieve their goals.

“The more our schools succeed, the more successful we become, both individually and as a community,” said City of Salem Mayor Justin Green. “The team supporting our schools is not only made up of educators but also includes staff, administrators, families, and community members who continually invest in the lives of young people. This week, we honor all who contribute to excellence in education in Salem Community Schools.”

As we celebrate American Education Week, take a moment to thank an educator, administrator, employee, or staff member.

The City of Salem is alerting residents that repair work will begin on West Market Street this week.

The work will fix damages to the road from the agreed Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) detour of Highway 56 last year.

Work on Market Street will involve lane restrictions only and require no road closure. Road repair crews should finish the project within two weeks, weather permitting.

Major infrastructure improvements are continuing in downtown Salem. “I want to update the residents of our city on the changes that are ongoing,” said Mayor Justin Green. “I also want to express appreciation for their patience and understanding while the much needed improvements continue.”  

The Main Street construction that began last year continues on schedule with an anticipated completion date June of 2024. This upgrade to Main Street was the result of being awarded a Federal Highway grant issued through INDOT.  

  The emphasis now is on the square, which has a multi-pronged approach:  

• Pedestrian islands will be constructed to meet federal requirements.
• Parking islands will be redesigned for smoother parking and driving.
• Ramps will be adjusted as needed to meet ADA specifications.
• Crosswalks will be redesigned and feature an improved appearance at the four gates.
• Landscape and streetscape improvements will be made for an enhanced appearance.

Change is a constant in our lives and it has certainly been prominent in City of Salem Mayor Justin Green’s first term. Working in partnership with the Salem City Council and other officials as well as many local and state organizations and agencies has resulted in many positive changes for the city.

“I am so grateful for the relationships we have sustained and built over these past three years,” said Mayor Green. “My goal when I was elected was to position Salem for the future and I am proud to say we have taken major steps in building a brighter tomorrow for our great city.”

Regarding the construction of several innovative infrastructure projects, downtown Salem will be easier to navigate and utilities will be upgraded to meet needs for many years and future generations. “The city has successfully pursued federal highway grants and Community Crossing grants to fund these projects, with local matching funds,” said Mayor Green. “These extensive projects would not be possible without these grant programs. As we collaborate with state and federal agencies, it's worth noting that the city aligns with their schedule.”

A city project that included designing a new entrance to Bristol Street and Highway 56 will make this area safer for motorists.

Salem and Washington County’s participation in the Our Southern Indiana READI initiative will bring major improvements to the city, including the Lake Salinda Bath House, improvements at the Salem Municipal Airport, and infrastructure and property acquisition for a workforce housing project on North Shelby Street.

The Covid-19 pandemic was a major challenge for the city, but Mayor Green was able to secure $250,000 in American Recovery Plan Act funds to assist small businesses. “Thanks to this financial support, our community's small businesses managed to endure,” said Mayor Green.

Maintaining a well-trained and well-equipped emergency response team is vital to ensure a safe city. Under Mayor Green, new equipment has been added for both the Salem City Police Department and Salem Fire Department.

The addition of a portable speed/radar sign is making city streets safer by raising awareness of motor vehicle speeds.

Mayor Green is constantly networking and exploring opportunities that might benefit the city. He is currently attending new READI 2.0 meetings for the next phase of the multi-county regional development.

Other projects currently that will further improve Salem include:

• A new Splash Pad Water Park – Approval for permitting has been granted, and the final engineering phase is currently underway, along with additional land acquisition.
• Working with Duke Energy to start an LED street light program – The contract has been executed, and the project is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of 2024.
• Installing EV charging stations in partnership with Washington County Tourism to help attract visitors.
• Partnering with the Humane Society on a new Animal Shelter – Finishing touches are being made along with new fencing for the dog park.

The city of Salem is on an upward trajectory, experiencing continuous growth and driving economic prosperity. A welcoming atmosphere for small businesses has attracted numerous newcomers, injecting fresh attraction into the local community.

“There are a multitude of projects that are either underway or in the planning stages that will make our city an even better place to live and work,” said Mayor Green. “I appreciate the efforts of everyone involved in each of these projects and I promise to continue working to move Salem toward a great future.”

The City of Salem dedicated two public art installations at Lake Salinda in a ceremony Tuesday.

Mayor Justin Green said this collaborative effort enhances the area, a popular spot for residents and visitors.

“These are truly unique pieces, designed specifically to represent Salem and our heritage,” said Mayor Green. “They are fun, thought-provoking and will hopefully inspire both contemplation and conversation.”

Indiana University students worked with the City of Salem, Washington County Community Foundation and Salem High School students on the design process, which identified what is unique to local culture and heritage. 

“Revival” is a metal and acrylic piece that evokes a quilt pattern through transparent panels that resemble stained glass. The color scheme was inspired by the city’s downtown landscape.

“A Common Link” is an interactive sculpture with linked metal strands that represent the community’s connections. It has bright colors and patterns in a metal link drapery that flows with Lake Salinda’s scenery.

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