Around Town

Redesigning Watertown Square: Areas with Potential, Spots for Housing & Changing Roadways

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Urban planner Jeff Speck shows one of the possible new configurations of Watertown Square. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

While much of the discussion during the final presentation of the design charrette focused on the redesign of the main intersection in Watertown Square, the design consultants also looked at areas such as what people want to see in their downtown, where housing could be created, what properties could be redeveloped, and other roadways in the area that could be reconfigured. The consultants remarked on the high levels of participation the Watertown Square project drew, compared to similar design efforts in other communities. Urban designer Jeff Speck said that per capita, Watertown had four times higher turnout than other projects he has worked on. Over the three days, 230 people signed in to participate in at least one of the work sessions where they could hear from designers and give input on a variety of subjects.

Around Town

Watertown Square Ideas Include Rerouted Roadways, Shops on Expanded Delta, More Paths

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Residents look at the maps from the table work sessions in the Watertown Square Area Plan design charrette. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

After an intense two days of gathering input from the public and looking at different ways to improve how Watertown Square works, the City of Watertown’s consultants presented two ideas that would significantly change traffic patterns in the intersection, but would not have a rotary. The two main contenders for the new Watertown Square layout are known as “Four Corners” and “Mini Main Street.” Both ideas would significantly shrink the amount of space dedicated to roadways and would increase the size of the Delta and other green spaces, as well as provide parallel parking, wider sidewalks, bike accommodations, and easier bus connections, the consultants said Thursday night. On Wednesday, urban designer Jeff Speck presented three drawings, the Four Corners, Mini Main Street and also one known as the Deltabout, where traffic would flow counter clockwise around the Delta.

Government

First Drafts of Watertown Square Redesign, Changes to MBTA Discussed at Design Workshop

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Some of the preliminary sketches for a redesigned Watertown Square prepared by the consultants. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

All day, Wednesday, hundreds of residents gave their opinions about what they want Watertown Square to look like when it is redesigned, and the City of Watertown’s consultants showed some first efforts at ways to improve traffic flow, as well as the pedestrian experience in the area. Urban Designer Jeff Speck showed a packed room several options for ways to change the design of roadways in Watertown Square. Some included roundabouts, some opened the roadway around the Delta to all traffic (not just buses as it is now), and many altered the roadways leading into the Square. By eliminating some of the spokes going into the main intersection would make traffic lights simpler, said Ralph DeNisco, a traffic engineer from VHB.

Police/Fire

Watertown’s New Police Chief Announced by City Manager

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Watertown’s Justin Hanrahan has been named the new Chief of the Watertown Police Department. (Courtesy of the City of Watertown)

The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

City Manager George J. Proakis is pleased to announce the appointment of Watertown native Justin Hanrahan as the new Police Chief for the City of Watertown effective November 30, 2023. Hanrahan, currently a Captain in the department, brings 28 years of experience to the Watertown Police Department. As Chief, he will oversee nearly 80 sworn and civilian staff, providing police and emergency response services spanning four groups in a department with an annual operating budget of approximately $11 million. Hanrahan began his law enforcement career as a police officer for the City of Keene, New Hampshire, Police Department in 1995.

Around Town

Watertown Square Design Team Discuss Results of Surveys, Some Options for Redesign of Area

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Watertown’s three-day design charrette will tackle a big, tangled set of issues known as Watertown Square. The consultants hired by the City of Watertown have invited the public to come discuss what hey would like to see changed in the Square, and beyond, what they want to keep, and at the end of the three days will present some ideas for what the new square will look like. Hundreds of people showed up at the former Sasaki building, 64 Pleasant St., for the opening meeting Tuesday night. The Design Charrette continues there Nov. 29 and 30.

Government

Council’s Budget Priorities Include Supporting Small Business, the Climate & Energy Plan, and Education

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Watertown City Hall

The City Council finalized Watertown’s budget priorities for the next fiscal year which include focuses on small business, implementing the Comprehensive Plan and Watertown Square Area Plan, the City’s shuttle bus program, and more. Many of the same guidelines returned from the 2024 Budget Policy Guidelines, including street and sidewalk repair, a 3.5 percent increase in the education budget, rodent control, launching the 311 constituent services system, and reusing the former North Branch Library

Among the guidelines are the long-standing effort to seek economic development and this year it includes a new focus on “small business, retail corridors, and emerging industry clusters.” The guidelines also include a priority to implement the updates recommended in the Comprehensive Plan update, as well as the ongoing redesign in the Watertown Square Area Plan. That plan includes redesigning the intersection, increasing housing density, strategies for small business, and better use of City owned land. This would be done, in part, by enhancing “the capabilities of the Department of Community Development and Planning by adding resources and/or redeploying existing resources to achieve the goals of the Plans.”

Around Town

Charles River Food Co-op Marks Firsts, Looking for Locations for Store

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Nick Quaranto, president of the Charles River Food Co-op board, updates members at the first annual meeting. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The effort to open a food cooperative in the Watertown area reached some firsts recently, and progress toward opening a store is moving faster than other local co-ops. The Charles River Food Co-op was incorporated in April 2022, with a goal of opening a store primarily serving Watertown, Newton, and Waltham. On Nov. 14, the Charles River Food Co-op held its first annual meeting, and the organization recently held its first board election.

Government

See What Will be Discussed During This Week’s Watertown Square Design Charrette

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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.