A New Vision
of Hope.
SALEM, VIRGINIA
Rezoning the HopeTree campus to create a walkable, sustainable community.
Current zoning for the HopeTree campus allows for the construction of more than 200 homes and the destruction of current HopeTree buildings no longer in use. We propose a better solution—to rezone the campus and create a walkable, sustainable community comprised of HopeTree facilities, market-rate homes, recreation amenities, green space, and historic buildings reimagined as gathering places the entire City of Salem can enjoy. This new plan was created in collaboration with community members, stakeholders, city leaders and a development team that specializes in creating walkable, sustainable, mixed-use communities.
Our Vision
“This process began with three goals. Number one, to honor HopeTree’s history. Number two, to position us for the future. And number three, to create something Salem will be proud of. The current zoning for this property would result in a far less desirable outcome—upwards of 200 homes with dozens of driveways cutting into Red Lane. Just building housing does not meet our third goal and isn’t better for Salem.”
— JON MORRIS, PRESIDENT & CEO, HOPETREE FAMILY SERVICES
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Goal One
Honor the legacy of HopeTree Family Services and keep our home here in Salem where we have operated since 1890.
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Goal Two
Position HopeTree for another century of service to at-risk children and adults here in Salem and throughout Virginia.
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Goal Three
Create an inviting new community that is an extension of Salem with new amenities everyone can enjoy.
A brief history of HopeTree Family Services
Situated on a hilltop overlooking the City of Salem, the campus of HopeTree Family Services has been a beacon of hope for at-risk children and adults in our region for over 130 years. Founded in 1890 as The Baptist Orphanage of Virginia, our original mission was to care for orphaned and disadvantaged children throughout Virginia. At its peak, the orphanage supported over 400 youth on this campus in Salem. Over the years, our organization expanded and evolved to meet the changing needs of the community. In 2007, we changed our name to HopeTree Family Services to reflect our expanded mission to support children as well as their families. Today, in addition to supporting vulnerable children through foster care, The HopeTree Academy day school, and Therapeutic Group Homes, HopeTree Family Services supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As our services have evolved, the campus no longer allows HopeTree to operate in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible. Rezoning the campus will better position HopeTree for the future, support our mission to serve those in need, and create a community the entire City of Salem can enjoy.
A better plan forward.
This new master plan is based on the core design principles of “new urbanism” that embrace walkability, sustainability, connectivity and the adaptive reuse of existing buildings. Along with updating HopeTree facilities, the plan envisions a mix of market-rate homes, recreation amenities and public gathering spaces.
A collaboration with our HopeTree neighbors, stakeholders, and development team.
The team spent months walking the property, interviewing city leaders, engaging with neighbors, and envisioning ways to improve on the current zoning which allows for a 200+ home subdivision. The result is a much better plan that benefits everyone who loves the City of Salem as much as we do at HopeTree Family Services.
