Around Town

Sidewalk Work Continues in Coolidge Square This Week During Mt. Auburn St. Project

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Crews will be doing sidewalk work in multiple parts of Mt. Auburn Street this week, including in the business district in Coolidge Square. Businesses will remain open during the construction, some may be accessible only using rear entrances. See more details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. Concrete Removal

Concrete sidewalk panels will be removed along the eastbound side of Mount Auburn Street between Bigelow Ave.

Around Town

New Public Art Opens in Area of Watertown Facing Years of Road Construction

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“Transitions” by MASARY Studios, one of the new art installations in Coolidge Square. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Coolidge Square, the heart of East Watertown, will be a construction zone for the next few years, but the area has a pair of new public art pieces to bring a little joy to the area that will endure the chaos of road and sidewalk replacement. https://youtu.be/Yud2pRsSWrU

The project, called “Open for Business,” includes “Transitional,” which incorporates materials you might find in construction — sheets of aluminum and the white and yellow reflective tags used on roads — to create a piece that changes as you look at it from different angles. The piece was created by MASARY Studios, which also produced the Solstice light show at Mount Auburn Cemetery. “Transitional” is on the wall on the side of Coolidge Hardware, on Kimball Road at the corner of Mt.

Around Town

Tour the New Public Art in Coolidge Square During “Open for Business”

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The City of Watertown invites the community to celebrate the intersection of art and commerce at the opening reception for “Open for Business,” a public art initiative featuring two new site-specific installations in the heart of Coolidge Square. The reception will take place on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the artists, experience the completed works, and explore the diverse local businesses that define the character of the square. Launched during the Mount Auburn Street reconstruction, “Open for Business” was designed to maintain the vibrancy of the district and encourage foot traffic during a period of infrastructure transformation. “These installations serve as a beacon, drawing residents and visitors to rediscover our cherished local establishments,” says Liz Helfer, Public Arts & Culture Planner. “By bringing world-class art to our sidewalks, we are turning a period of construction into an opportunity for discovery.”

Around Town

Contractors Coordinating with East End Businesses Ahead of Sidewalk Replacements

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Kristopher Surette of Tighe & Bond shows the plans for the Mt. Auburn Street Project to members of the Coolidge Square business community. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Businesses in Coolidge Square will face some disruptions from the construction taking place over the spring, summer, and fall of 2026. Sidewalks will be ripped up and replaced as part of the Mt. Auburn Street Project.

Around Town

Sidewalk and Road Work Will Impact Coolidge Square, East Watertown This Week

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The Mt. Auburn Street project continues with sidewalk work from near the Cambridge line to Arlington Street, while drainage work will take place in Coolidge Square. See details in the announcement provided by the City of Watertown. Sidewalk Excavation Begins At Cambridge Line

Excavation of the eastbound sidewalk and curbing on Mount Auburn Street between Belmont Street and Arlington Street will begin on Monday, October 6, 2025 from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Learn about travel and parking impacts below. Traffic and Sidewalk Impacts

The eastbound sidewalk will be closed for excavation starting on Monday, October 6, 2025 at 7 a.m. A bypass sidewalk on the eastbound side will be opened up while this work is being completed.

Around Town

City Calls for Art to Revitalize Coolidge Square During Mt. Auburn St. Construction

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A map of Coolidge Square showing possible installation locations. The City of Watertown today announced “Open for Business,” a new public art initiative inviting artists and artist teams to submit proposals for temporary outdoor art installations in Coolidge Square. This project aims to maintain the vibrancy of the neighborhood and support local businesses during the ongoing reconstruction of Mount Auburn Street. The extensive Mount Auburn Street reconstruction project, while essential for long-term revitalization, will undoubtedly cause temporary disruption to businesses in Coolidge Square. In response, the City of Watertown seeks to transform this period of change into an opportunity for community engagement and economic support through the power of public art.

Around Town

City’s Next Watertown Chats Focusing on Coolidge Square

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The next Watertown Chats will take place on Friday in East Watertown. See details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. Come Discover Coolidge Square and visit Watertown Chats on Friday, June 27 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Sullivan Park on the corner of Mount Auburn Street and Arlington Street! Join and connect with Community Engagement Specialist, Tyler Cote, and Senior Planner for Economic Development, Erin Rathe to ask questions about the City, learn about happenings around Watertown, get an update on the Mount Auburn Street Project, and receive resources about Coolidge Square! Learn more at watertown-ma.gov/chats

Business

Discover Coolidge Square: Events, Specials & More from June 25-28

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Coolidge Square may be under construction, but the heart of the East End is open for business. The City of Watertown has joined with local businesses, groups, and elected officials to celebrate the business center in East Watertown. See the events and specials planned for Discover Watertown, provided by the City of Watertown Economic Development division. Wednesday, June 25 @ 2:30 p.m. Meet Your Councilor and State Rep! District A Councilor Nicole Gardner and MA Rep. Steve Owens will host joint office hours at Dunkin Donuts (635 Mt Auburn) from 2:30-3:30 p.m. All are invited to stop by!