What's Going On with the Old Salem Coke Plant?

Workers have been replacing a portion of the former Coca-Cola bottling plant's roof and performing landscaping work this week, which has prompted several residents to ask Patch if something may be happening to the property.

A proposal to turn the vacant building into a used car dealership was recently shot down, and town officials say there are no new developments in terms of a new owner or use of the property. 

"The current owner is just doing some minor renovations, including a new roof and tearing down a small portion of the building," said Salem Planning Director Ross Moldoff.

Joseph Scott Scott's company, Metscott 21 LLC of Salem, purchased the long-dormant plant in 2006 for $3 million, according to information available from the Vision Appraisal assessor's online database of Salem properties.

The 23 South Broadway parcel is valued at $2,430,200. The building, which has just over 75,000 square feet of livable space on the parcel, was originally constructed in 1921 as one of the first Coca-Cola bottling plants in the country.

The building was also recently targeted by vandals.