Development

City Wants Input on Comprehensive Plan, Providing Multiple Opporunties

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City of WatertownA screenshot of the interactive map where people can leave ideas for what they would like to see in Watertown. It is part of the process for updating the Comprehensive Plan, the City’s key planning document. The process of updating Watertown’s key planning document, the Comprehensive Plan, has begun, and people who live and/or work in the City can give their input in a variety of ways. City officials held a community forum on Thursday, but those who were unable to attend can still give their opinions and ideas, said Watertown’s Assistant Director of Planning Gideon Schreiber. The City adopted the Comprehensive Plan in 2015, and now the document is being updated.

104 Main Street

Possible Main St. Project Has Restaurant Owners Worried About Future

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Crown CafeDiners enjoy a meal at Crown Cafe on Main Street. The future of the restaurant is uncertain because a development has been proposed that includes the restaurant’s property. The new owners of the Crown Cafe invested tens-of-thousands of dollars into the space on Main Street and the restaurant began serving food in January. Just a few months later they worry whether their investment will be for nothing, and the space where their business sits may be demolished to make way for a proposed five-story mixed use development near Watertown Square. One hope for the owners may be a grassroots effort started to try to stop the development by making the area a historic district.

Bud's Goods

Bud’s Goods, Watertown’s Second Cannabis Dispensary, Opening Soon

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Bud’s GoodsBud’s Goods, Watertown’s second marijuana dispensary, will soon be opening on Pleasant Street. Watertown’s second recreational marijuana dispensary will open soon on the west side of town. Owners want it to have a homey feel and it will be the only “small cannabis” operator. Bud’s Goods is slated to open on May 20, according to the store’s social media. The dispensary is located in the mixed use development at 330 Pleasant St.

Business

Watertown Restaurant a Finalist in National Contest for “Serving Their Community”

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Watertown’s Ritcey East has chosen as one of five finalists in a contest run by Toast for restaurants who make a difference in their communities. The winner will received $10,000, and voting is now open. The restaurant on Waverley Avenue, is “serving up a safe place for the LGBTQ+ community and a fresh take on comfort food,” according to Toast. Ritcey East was nominated by a fan of the restaurant because it is “a small, queer-owned biz that kept all their staff during the pandemic and continues to partner with local charities.” Say hello to our Built for You $10k Contest Finalist, Ritcey East!

Comprehensive Plan

City Officials to Talk About Watertown’s Comprehensive Plan at Business Coalition Event

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown City Hall

Officials from City Hall will talk about the process of updating Watertown’s primary planning document, the Comprehensive Plan, during an event hosted by the Watertown Business Coalition. The networking event will be held at City Hall (149 Main St.) in the Council Chambers on Wednesday, May 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The City is updating the Watertown Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted in 2015. The document that lays out the vision for the future development in Watertown and includes economic development, land use, and transportation. 

Enjoy coffee and pastries will be provided by O’Some Café. Register by clicking here.

Business

Biotech Companies, Educators Talk About How They Can Collaborate at Life Science Panel

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Natalie Nigito PhotographyKatie Sherburne, human resources manager at Forma Therapeutics speaks during the Life Sciences Panel at Hosmer School. Looking on, from right to left, are: Chris Nasveschuk, senior vice president of chemistry at C4 Therapeutics, Mark Bamforth, CEO of Arranta Bio, Watertown Superintendent Dede Galdston, and Watertown K-7 Math and Science Coordinator Elizabeth Kaplan

The life science industry has discovered Watertown, with the city becoming home to a growing number of pharmaceutical, medical and other biotech companies. Recently, representatives from a few of these companies joined Watertown educators at a forum hosted by the Watertown Business Coalition. The event took place at the new Hosmer Elementary School on April 27. The groups spoke about how they collaborate, and opportunities for the future.

Around Town

City Wants to Hear from Public on Changes to Watertown’s Major Planning Document

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The City of Watertown will be updating its Comprehensive Plan. This document guides what the City will look like in future, and covers topics such as economic development, land use, and transportation. The review will be an 18-month process that will be led by the Department of Community Development and Planning and a consultant team from Stantec in partnership with the Planning Advisory Committee. 

The first public meeting will be in the Hosmer School Cafeteria, 1 Concord Road, on Thursday, May 19 from 7-8:30 p.m. It will be held live and on Zoom. “This year, we are updating the city’s comprehensive plan which means that we want your feedback to plan for Watertown’s future,” said the announcement from the City. City officials want to hear from Watertown residents, property owners, business owners, and workers.

Business

Workers at Starbucks in Watertown Votes to Unionize

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Employees at the Starbucks on Mt. Auburn Street voted to unionize. The store was the 50th in the coffee chain to join the Workers United. The vote in the Watertown Starbucks was 10-1, according to a report in the Boston Globe which also said that Starbucks challenged two of the ballots at the Watertown store. The Mt.