Watertown will get half a million dollars to help design the streetscape for the Watertown Square redesign. The money was secured by Congresswoman Katherine Clark. See more details in the City of Watertown’s announcement, below.
The City of Watertown received $500,000 in Community Project Funding, secured by the Democratic Whip and U.S. Representative Katherine Clark (MA-5) as part of Congressionally Directed Spending, to support the Watertown Square streetscape design project.
This funding is part of over $12 million secured by the Congresswoman for 15 community projects across Massachusetts’s 5th district. In Watertown, this funding will support the implementation of the Watertown Square Area Plan, specifically the streetscape design process that began work in late 2025. The future Watertown Square streetscape will reclaim 3.4 acres of space that is currently roadway, widening sidewalks and increasing open space through the Square. The design will also simplify the currently constructed Watertown Square intersection and improve mobility and safety for all modes of transportation, especially pedestrians.
“I’m so proud to bring this critical investment home to Watertown and help build a more walkable, accessible downtown for all our residents,” said Democratic Whip Katherine Clark. “Thanks to the partnership and hard work of local leaders like City Manager George Proakis, we were able to deliver results even amid all the chaos in Washington. Together, we’re going to keep building a future more worthy of our children.”
“Watertown is grateful for the support and leadership of Congresswoman Clark,” said Watertown City Manager George Proakis. “Implementing this vision for Watertown Square will revitalize our downtown and provide residents and visitors with a walkable experience that promotes our small businesses, housing, and more.”
The implementation of the Watertown Square Area Plan is underway, with Bowman Consulting Group leading the streetscape design work that will be brought to construction in coming years, which this funding will support. After a robust community process in 2023 and 2024, the envisioned “Four Corners” streetscape concept design was endorsed by the Watertown City Council and now moves forward with the steps to make that vision a reality.