Development

East End Residents Worry Traffic from New Project Will Overwhelm Neighborhood

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The former Verizon building has an Arsenal Street address, but it sits right against Nichols Avenue so developers would like to open an entrance on that street – a plan that has East Watertown residents worried. Representatives from Boylston Properties revealed plans to turn the former truck facility into office space for tech companies on Wednesday evening. The building would have 185,595 sq. ft. of office space with 565 parking spaces, including a one-story parking deck.

Development

LETTER: Neighbors Respond to Athenahealth’s Proposal for Arsenal Complex

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An open letter from the North Beacon Street Neighbors to Athenahealth and the Town Council:

Thank you for the meeting last Tuesday night. The attendees have had further discussions and we have reached a consensus on what we’d like to see happen next. We appreciate your hard work on reducing the footprint and height of the garage. However, the only way to seriously gauge the effects of this garage on our neighborhood and town is to see how it fits in with an official Master Plan for the whole property. In detail:

1.

Business

New Restaurant Approved to Go in Arsenal on the Charles

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The Arsenal on the Charles will have a new restaurant with an outdoor eating space, after the Planning Board approved a plan by owners of the complex – athenahealth. The restaurant is described as a beer garden and will go in the space formerly occupied by Watertown Savings Bank, on the back end of Building 312, Todd Morey of Beals Associates told the Planning Board. The building is also home to Panera Bread and Arsenal Center for the Arts. The space is 2,800 square feet, plus a 4,500-square-foot outdoor patio space. Morey said the name of the restaurant has not been revealed, yet.

Development

Developers to Reveal Final Design of Apartments at Irving & Arsenal

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See the design of the apartment complex at the corner of Irving and Arsenal streets submitted to the Planning Board by Greystar. The project that will go on the former Pirolli brick yard has been following the recommendations of the Watertown design standards and design guidelines, and will include around 270 apartments along with space for stores and a restaurant. The meeting will be held Tuesday, Feb. 24 from 6-8 p.m. at the Watertown Police Station Community Room. Developers Greystar Real Estate Partners and Oaktree FX have periodically met with residents to show designs and get feedback.

Development

LETTER: Resident Worries CVS Will Erode Character of Coolidge Square

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Editor,

I am unbelievably disappointed that the Town of Watertown appears to be intending to go ahead with plans for a 13,000 sq. foot CVS in Coolidge Square. Such a decision would begin the erosion of the last vestige of true Watertown character that is left here. I bought a house in Watertown over 30 years ago, after returning from a year+ spent in Greece on a fellowship. On one of my first trips to an Armenian market in Coolidge Square, I saw some refrigerated cheese that reminded me of a fabulous village cheese I had eaten daily in Crete.

Business

Watertown Savings Bank Announces Customer Choice Award Winners

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On Tuesday, March 10th Watertown Savings Bank will give away $75,000 to the 28 local community organizations chosen by their banking customers, in the bank’s annual Customer Choice Awards. “The bank’s annual customer choice awards is in its 19th year, and is a program of which we are particularly proud,” said Ronald Dean, chief executive officer. “The list of winners reflects the important work being done by non-profits and volunteer organizations throughout the communities we serve. These funds will help support local schools, food pantries, and libraries just to name a few.”

Dollars to be awarded are based on the number of votes each organization received. With a maximum amount of $3,500, and this year’s top vote-getter receiving $5,000, any organization with at least one percent of the vote received funds.

Development

Traffic Concerns Hold Up Plans for Old GE Site on Grove Street

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Neighbors and members of the Planning Board like most parts of the plan to redevelop the GE Ionics site on Grove Street, but the traffic plans upset neighbors and the board, alike. Developer Cresset Grove LLC proposes to reduce the size of the existing building at 65 Grove St. and create a 134,000-square-foot office and research facility, with a multi-story garage. “The proposal encompasses an exciting facelift to an older structure which we think really reinvigorates the structure and reinvigorates the site itself,” said Bill York, the attorney representing the developers. The site has been unused since 2010 when GE move out.

Real Estate

Here Are The Open Houses in Watertown This Week

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There are three open houses in Watertown this weekend, see details below. $579,000 – 87-89 Edenfield Ave., 2 unit, 10 total room, 4 total bedroom 2 family, Open Houses: Saturday 12-1:30 p.m. Sunday 12-1:30 p.m.

Sponsored by:

$799,000 – 700-702 Belmont St., 2 unit, 12 total room, 5 total bedroom, Open House: Sunday 12-1:30 p.m.

$899,900 – 75 Summer St. Unit 75, 3 bedroom, 3 full 2 half bathroom townhouse. Open House: Sunday 12-2 p.m.