Two possible sites were selected for the proposed civic center.  Both sites border the Salem downtown area. One of the sites was on the north side of the downtown area and the other site was on the south side of the downtown area.

Hillside Site
South of the Marion Hotel, the four block Hillside site is bounded by Trade, Leslie, Liberty and Commercial Streets.
Architectural design and cost estimates for a complete Hillside civic center had been completed.  New plans for the outstanding municipal complex including buildings designed for easy expansion when the city's future growth demands.
The Hillsite site was eventually chosen as the location of Salem's Civic Center.

Mill Creek Site
North of the downtown area, bordered by High, D, Winter, and Union Streets, the Mill Creek site would complement the beauty of the nearby Capital Mall.  The gently flowing mill stream sets the mood for a parklike civic center setting, pleasantly shaded by 50 year-old oak trees.