Work Begins on Revamp of Marion Parkade in Downtown Salem

City crews start $6 million project to improve safety, reduce maintenance, and encourage more use of the downtown parking garage.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:48pm

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A minimalist studio still life photograph featuring a set of parking garage access cards, keys, and a parking meter icon arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the revitalization of downtown parking facilities.Modernized parking infrastructure aims to make downtown Salem more accessible and inviting for visitors.Salem Today

The City of Salem has begun a $6 million renovation project to revitalize the Marion Parkade, a downtown parking garage located at 538 Liberty St. N.E. The project will add new stairwells with transparent walls, overhead roof structures, and updated lighting to improve safety, reduce maintenance costs, and encourage more people to use the garage, especially at night.

Why it matters

The Marion Parkade is one of three city-run parking garages in downtown Salem that provide free parking for shoppers and permitted spots for downtown workers and residents. Improving the safety and aesthetics of the garage is expected to boost usage and support the economic vitality of the city's urban core.

The details

The renovation project will include new see-through stairwells, perforated metal walls on the ground floor, and updated overhead roof structures to protect people from the elements. The changes are meant to make the parkade feel more open and inviting, especially during evening hours. The project is expected to take about seven months to complete, with the garage remaining partially open during construction. Some lane closures on nearby streets will occur at night to facilitate the work.

  • The project began on April 6, 2026.
  • Night work is scheduled for May 26 through June 1 and September 16 through September 18.
  • The project is expected to be completed by November 2026.

The players

City of Salem

The local government overseeing the Marion Parkade renovation project.

Luke Gmazel

Engineering Program Manager for the City of Salem, providing details about the project's timeline and funding.

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What they’re saying

“The updates are meant to make the parkade at 538 Liberty St. N.E. safer, reduce maintenance costs, and encourage parkade use, especially when it's dark.”

— City of Salem

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This project demonstrates the city's commitment to improving the safety and accessibility of its downtown parking infrastructure, which is crucial for supporting local businesses and encouraging more people to visit and spend time in the urban core.