Government

LETTER: Resident Urges Defeat of Proposed Sign at Arsenal Yards

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At this moment, there are folks working hard to convince our City Council to put the best interests of people who don’t live here above the best interests of our town, our neighbors and future generations who will live in Watertown. It seems that there has been an organized movement — what community organizers refer to as an Astroturf campaign — to make a case for private gain over public good. An Astroturf campaign is a carefully constructed PR campaign disguised to appear as grassroots opinion. At issue is a request by Boylston Properties to change our zoning to allow a 10 by 105 foot illuminated commercial sign on top of the tallest building in Arsenal Yards. The sign would be visible from many areas along our riverfront.

Around Town

LETTER: Allowing Illuminated Sign on Arsenal Yards Building Would be a “Very Bad Idea”

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Dave MartinA view down the Charles River from the Bridge on North Beacon Street with the 100 Forge (or Building G) building at Arsenal Yards in the distance. An illuminated sign has been proposed to go near the top of the building. To the Editor,

Boylston Properties is requesting a zoning change to allow it to place a large, illuminated sign at the top of the 130 ft. high Building G in Arsenal Yards. This is a very bad idea for the following reasons:

1.  It constitutes a “branding” of Watertown.

Around Town

LETTER: Resident Supports Signage at Arsenal Yards, Praises Impact of Development

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Much has changed in Watertown over the past 10 years, that is for sure, and one area we should be proud of is the transformation of the East End and the revitalization of the Arsenal Street corridor – specifically turning the older and declining Arsenal Mall into a delightful destination for our community, and surrounding communities and neighbors.  

This development and the ripple effects of its success have afforded and will continue to afford our little City quite a bit. There are the surface benefits – dozens of new restaurants and shops, hundreds of thousands of square feet of outdoor space, adding to a renovated Arsenal Park, andweekly community events that frequently benefit local charitable organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club and the Food Pantry. 

And there are the less obvious but glaringly important benefits – thousands of new local jobs, millions in real estate tax revenue which resulted in three new public schools that did not require a tax increase for residents, and not to mention the nearly 2,500 new life science employees and residents who will undoubtedly shop and eat in businesses ALL over Watertown, not just at Arsenal Yards. Yes, we should be proud of this development. We should be proud of our City Government, which had the vision to include a development like Arsenal Yards in their last Comprehensive Plan from a decade ago. Further, as taxpayers and voters, we should encourage our City Government to support the economic success of the development, which is closely tied to the success of many aspects, including the revenue, of this City.

Entertainment

First Stick A Fork In It Food Festival Coming to Arsenal Yards

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Kicking off an exciting schedule of events this fall, Arsenal Yards, the thriving new neighborhood in Watertown, invites area residents and visitors to enjoy its diverse lineup of eateries, shops and venues at the first-ever Stick A Fork In It! Food Festival, an around-the-world style food festival on Wednesday, September 21st from 5:00–8:00PM. Featuring delicious bites and bevvies from on-site restaurants including City Works, Condesa Restaurante Mexicano & Tequila Bar,, Tori Jiro, Vitality Bowls, Frank Pepe, Roche Bros., The Majestic 7, Ben & Jerry’s, Pokeworks and more, guests can experience a little bit of everything from all of the exceptional culinary offerings of Arsenal Yards and special surprises and offerings from the neighborhood’s many shopping and entertainment venues. In addition to tasting complimentary food samples from over 10 of neighborhood’s restaurants, guests and residents are invited to also enjoy live music on the beautiful River Green, drinks from the cash beer and wine garden, and access to fun games and activities including balloon animals, a photo booth caravan, caricatures, and more. Guests will also receive a complimentary swag bag upon check-in.

Government

LETTER: Council Should Reject Proposal to Allow Large Illuminated Sign at Arsenal Yards

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Our City Council will soon vote on a proposal to allow a large, illuminated sign for Arsenal Yards – effectively a glowing billboard with ten-foot tall letters – to shine from atop the 130-foot high-rise tower looming over the Charles River, its park and paths. The proposal was written by the developer of Arsenal Yards. If the proposal passes, the Planning Board will be poised to give the developer a permit for the sign. Allowing the amendment and the sign would be a tragic mistake. The path of the Charles River through Watertown is widely known as a rare urban gem.

Around Town

“Bar Rescue” Star Opens New Restaurant in Watertown’s Arsenal Yards

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Charlie Breitrose”Bar Rescue” star Jon Taffer designed Taffer’s Tavern, to have a feel like diners have been invited into his home. The restaurant officially opened Sept. 8 at Arsenal Yards. Crowds gathered at Arsenal Yards, onlookers held up cell phones, and people lined up to shake the hand of a celebrity on Thursday when Watertown got a taste of Hollywood. Jon Taffer, the start of Bar Rescue, stopped by Thursday morning for the grand opening of his new restaurant at Arsenal Yards — Taffer’s Tavern.

Entertainment

Outdoor Fitness Series Kicks-Off This Week at Arsenal Yards

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Arsenal Yards will host outdoor fitness events on the Arsenal Green. The following information was provided by Arsenal Yards:

Through the fall, Arsenal Yards is bringing back its popular Outdoor Fitness Series with a chock-full schedule of complimentary classes, featuring local instructors and studios for a total body workout in a lively group setting! All classes are hosted on the Arsenal Green in Arsenal Park, located just through Buttermilk & Bourbon and Shake Shack. Guests must register in advance via the below links and bring their own mat and water. All classes are complimentary, however donations to the Watertown Food Pantry are encouraged!

Around Town

Several Openings Anticipated at Arsenal Yards in Coming Months

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Arsenal YardsArsenal Yards in Watertown, already featuring several restaurants and retailers, has several new additions coming in 2022 and early 2023. The following information was provided by Arsenal Yards:

Arsenal Yards, the thriving new neighborhood in Watertown from Boylston Properties and Wilder, is celebrating continued growth and development with the opening of many highly anticipated dining, shopping, fitness, and entertainment venues throughout the neighborhood this summer and fall.  

Since its official redevelopment and expansion at the site of the former Arsenal Mall in 2017, the lively 1 million + square foot mixed-use neighborhood has flourished into a dynamic destination and neighborhood hub. Residents and visitors alike can eat, live, work, play, and experience all that the high-energy community in Watertown’s historic East End has to offer with dining, shopping, and entertainment right at their fingertips.  

With the goal of further expanding its lineup of popular restaurants, retailers and service and entertainment offerings, Arsenal Yards is eager to welcome many exciting additions to the neighborhood this year. Openings coming soon include Pokeworks, Taffer’s Tavern, Restore Hyper Wellness, Central Rock Gym, Bond Vet, and F45 Training, along with new offerings including a Starbucks, James Joseph Salon, AT&T and GNC all slated to open before the end of the year, and KinderCare in early 2023. Blvd & Bond, the neighborhood’s residential offering with 302 units across three buildings, is nearly 100 percent leased, while all life science space within Arsenal Yards and the new building at 100 Forge is entirely leased as well.