Arsenal Project

LETTER: Where Will Families, Seniors Go to Eat and Play in New Mall?

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Dear Editor:

One of the hallmarks of Watertown was that it was a sleepy, safe, family friendly place. I know that The Old Country Buffet went out of business due to bankruptcy and it looks like Friendly’s lease is about to expire soon but The Old Country Buffet was a place that working families could  take their kids out to dinner because it was affordable. There were plenty of choices and let’s just say it was far from swanky so working families could go in their sweats and their kids could be a bit noisy without too many people being offended. Senior Citizens on a fixed income used to take advantage of their all you could eat buffet and eat enough for lunch and dinner. I know The Old Country Buffet isn’t coming back and I’m not saying we should have something exactly like it but it would be nice if we did reserve some space for restaurants that don’t charge approximately $35 for a roasted chicken. While a nightclub like bowling alley may bring in more profit and tax revenue than a traditional bowling alley, its not family friendly nor is it family affordable.

Arsenal Mall

Owners of Arsenal Project Want to Modernize Mall, Embrace Surroundings

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The new Arsenal Mall will have smaller buildings, try to create inviting public spaces and celebrate the natural areas around it, including Arsenal Park. The owners of the Arsenal Mall – now the Arsenal Project – discussed some of their ideas for their grand renovation of the mall on the East End of Watertown in the first of a series of public meetings on Wednesday night. The mall and the Arsenal Park, right behind it, could use some upgrades, said Tom Wilder, principal of Wilder Cos., which operates the mall. “When we got the Arsenal property it was not functioning well. Folks hadn’t been here for a years,” Wilder said.

Development

Councilors Interviewing Planning Board Nominee Same Night as Meeting on Arsenal Mall Project

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A Town Council subcommittee will interview a nominee for an opening on the Watertown Planning Board on the same evening that redevelopment of the Arsenal Mall will be discussed across town and the nominee is a familiar face around the mall. 

The Committee on Economic Development and Planning will interview Janet Buck for an opening on the Planning Board. The board will have the final approval of projects in the Regional Mixed Use District, of which the mall makes up a significant portion. Buck currently serves on the town’s Stormwater Advisory Committee. She is also volunteer coordinator for HATCH, the Watertown Free Public Library’s makerspace that uses space in the Arsenal Project (formerly the Arsenal Mall). The interview will take place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18 at 6 p.m. in the Town Council Office on the second floor of Town Hall.

Development

Series of Meetings Announced for Two Major Projects on Arsenal Street

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Two of the most discussed and anticipated projects coming to Watertown – the Arsenal Mall and the Arsenal on the Charles – have meetings coming up where residents can learn about plans and give input. Watertown’s Community Development and Planning Department announced the following meetings:
Arsenal Mall
The owners of the Arsenal Mall, know called the Arsenal Project, announced three Community Meetings, with different topics to be discussed at each. The project is in the new Regional Mixed Use District, which was approved in March. The meeting Topics/Days/Times are as follows:

Infrastructure and Open Space (May 18, 7-9 p.m.)
Building Characteristics and Massing (May 26, 7-9 p.m.)
Open House (June 1, 7-9 p.m.)

All meetings will be held at the Arsenal Project in the Innovation Space. Enter Near Old Navy.

Development

Concerned Citizens Assoc. Hosting Forum on Watertown Property Rights

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The Concerned Watertown Citizens Association will be hosting its Third Open Forum Meeting at 7 p.m., on May 12 at the Library, announced President John Labadini. The group sent out the following information:

Please-Spread the word and help educate your fellow citizens on what’s being proposed in their town. watertownpropertyrights.org/upcoming-events We will be reviewing and discussing the following facts:

1. The Town is considering implementing “Residential Guidelines” that could become “Mandates” (ie. new ordinances) as well as extending the Demolition Delay Ordinance from 12 to 24 months.

Arsenal on the Charles

Residents Have Mixed Reaction to Latest Plans for Athenahealth’s Campus

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Athenahealth and residents met for round three of discussions about the company’s plans to redevelop its Arsenal Street headquarters Tuesday night. The company presented its modified Master Plan to redevelop it’s Arsenal On the Charles headquarters at the Coolidge School Apartments complex. The updated plan included an increased setback from the new parking garage and North Beacon Street, new pedestrian zones to increase circulation, and the elimination of 227 parking spaces from the proposed new parking garage. Michael Crowley, vice president of athenaEnvironment said that zoning requirements mandated the setback from the parking garage and the street be a minimum of 25 feet, but Athena increased the setback to a total of 88 feet. The additional space will be used to create a “pocket park,” to create a buffer between the street and the garage Crowley said.

Development

Man Who Was a Watchdog on Arsenal Mall Project is Up for Spot on Planning Board

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A man who gazed a critical eye on the proposed renovation of the Arsenal Mall has been nominated to fill an opening on the Watertown Planning Board – the group that will make decisions on that and other projects in the new Regional Mixed Use District (RMUD). Gary Shaw has been recommended as the new member of the Planning Board by Town Manager Michael Driscoll. Shaw is an architect who has worked on some major projects around New England who lives in Watertown, and he would replace Neal Corbett who stepped down from the board. Shaw, along with the other four members of the Planning Board – John Hawes, Jeffrey Brown, Linda Tuttle-Barletta and Fergal Brennock – will be interviewed by the Town Council’s Committee on Economic Development and Planning. A recommendation will then the sent to the full Council on whether to approve these appointments.