By Mark Wineka
Salisbury Post
The Salisbury Community Appearance Commission has set out goals for 2008-2009 that would require more than $100,000 in funding.
A bulk of that money would go to Municipal Service District ($35,000) and Innes Street ($35,000) incentive grant programs, which have been funded for many years.
The commission also has asked for $20,000 to initiate an annual sculpture show on the streets of downtown Salisbury and expand the Salisbury History and Art Trail, which already has produced 16 markers, of which 12 have been installed.
Other commission requests include $5,000 toward additional trash receptacles and benches in the downtown; $3,200 to complete the installation of entrance signs for Jersey City and Fairview Heights neighborhoods; $2,500 to host a speaker and conduct a public educational program for a Cultural Action Plan; $2,500 to add receptacles to medians on both sides of the East Innes Street railroad bridge; and $1,800 to continue promotion of spring and fall “Spruce-Up Days,” “Landscape of the Month” and “Adopt-a-Salisbury-Street.”
Barbara Perry, chairman of the commission, said her group has two major goals:
– To promote better housing conditions.
– To partner with Downtown Salisbury Inc. to initiate planning and funding for major downtown streetscape improvements.
The housing efforts might include policy changes, stricter codes and inspections between rentals, an increase in city enforcement personnel and a council-appointed housing commission, Perry reported.
The downtown improvements might focus on sidewalks, pedestrian lighting and furniture, street trees, parking lot upgrades and improvements at the Square.
The commission has many other internal goals related to education, neighborhoods, public art and landscaping.
The Historic Preservation Commission seeks funding for two high-priority goals, according to Chairman Anne Lyles.
The historic group would like $20,000 to provide a local match for a federal Historic Preservation Fund grant. The money would be used to complete National Register of Historic Places inventory updates and expansions for five historic districts, including the downtown, West Square, Livingstone College, Brooklyn-South Square and North Main street districts.
The Historic Preservation Commission also seeks $30,000 to continue its Historic Preservation Incentive Grant program, which gives money toward residential restoration and maintenance projects in historic districts.
A typical grant is about $2,500.
Salisbury City Council asks its various commissions, boards and committees to list their goals and funding requests prior to each spring’s discussion of a new city budget.
Contact Mark Wineka at 704-797-4263, or mwineka@salisburypost.com.