Watertown Square Area Plan
MOST RECENT UPDATES
Check out materials from the November 2023 Design Charrette!
WHY ARE WE MAKING A NEW PLAN FOR WATERTOWN SQUARE?
To create lively public spaces
To create street design that promotes safe walking, biking and public transit usage
To ensure that small businesses can thrive
To promote shared public-private open spaces that are activated and expanded, with more access to the Charles River
To create expanded housing options
To explore more opportunities for public art
To reuse, enhance, or preserve the Square’s most significant historic structures
To make the Square a destination for residents and visitors alike, with attractions for community members to visit and spend time
An overview in chart form of the timeline of creating the Watertown Square Area Plan
What will we be working on?
Existing Conditions Analysis
Identifying travel paths and desire lines, synthesizing takeaways from the previous plans such as Watertown’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan and Walkable Watertown
Public Engagement Plan
Stakeholder engagement, Polis Online Survey, Design Charrette event
Urban Design & Redevelopment Scenarios
Potential development opportunities, public realm recommendations (street reconfiguration/road diet), urban realm design
Transportation and Parking
Detailed conceptual plan for redesigned street right-of-ways, implementation timeline, high level peer review
Rezoning
Development of a tiered zoning approach, MBTA Communities analysis, public engagement via webinar and WCATV
An image of Watertown Square with labels identifying important locations for the plan. The labeled areas are displayed below.
1. View facing Watertown Square intersection
2. View of Charles River from Greenway path
3. View of automobile dominated stretch of Arsenal Street
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a charrette?
A charrette is a collaborative planning process during which an interdisciplinary team of planners, designers, transportation experts, city officials, residents, business owners, other interested people, and most importantly you, work together to create a shared design vision of a particular area.
How can I stay updated on the project?
Sign up for updates, announcements, and more here.
I have a question or concern about this project. Who can I reach out to?
You can reach out to the project team at team@watertownsquareimprovements.com or email Watertown City Planning at planning@watertown-ma.gov.
You can also submit a comment here.
resources
Recordings of Three-Day Charrette, November 28-30, 2023 (WCATV)
Charrette Handout on Intersection Design, Urban Form, Strategic Sites, and MBTA Zoning
Charrette Handout for Working Group Sessions with MBTA Zoning Fact Sheet
Public Participation & Design Studio Charrette Drawings, November 28-30, 2023
Kitchen Table Conversation (KTC) Resources
Presentation from Kick-off Event on October 17, 2023
Background Information
