This week will be an important one for the shaping of the future of Watertown’s center, and many of the main business districts in town. The City of Watertown, working with a team of consultants, will conduct a three-day design charrette where they will seek input from the public about a variety of topics.
All the events will take place from Nov. 28-30, 2023, at 64 Pleasant St., Watertown (the former Sasaki building). This is the same location as the kickoff presentation for the Watertown Square Area Plan in October where some examples of redesigns and the consultant’s philosophies were presented.
The charrette kicks off Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. with an informational presentation. On Wednesday and Thursday there will be public work sessions to visit.
Wednesday, Nov. 29
The first focuses on the Watertown Square intersection (10-11 a.m.) How can we make it work for all modes – and support the Square we want?
The second work session will look at urban form (11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) What should the Square look like – building scale, public realm and more?
Strategic sites, including the MBTA’s Watertown Yard on the south side of the river, will be discussed in the afternoon (2-3 p.m.) How do we design for these key development opportunities around the Square?
Also during the day, the design studio where people can see what different designs for the Square would look like, will be open to the public from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-5 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 30
Making Watertown Square a destination to shop, eat, play, and live will be the focus of the first work session on Thursday. (10-11 a.m.) How we design a Square where small business can thrive?
The final work session will focus on the much discussed MBTA Communities Law zoning. (11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) How do we get to the 1,701 zoned units we need under the new law?
The Design Studio will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursday evening, the consultants will present multiple scenarios which they have designed using the input received during the charrette. (6:30-8:30 p.m.) Light dinner and time to mix will precede the presentation, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
See the detailed schedule below. For more information about the work sessions and other events, click here.
More information about the design charrette will be posted on the Watertown Square Area Plan website as it becomes available: www.watertownsquareimprovements.com
I can’t go to the presentations since it’s during work hours. Will there be a recording available?