Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/page/195/)
The future of Watertown Square will be designed in 2026 with plans for major changes to the intersection as well as the commercial district in and around the Square. (Photo by City of Watertown)
More than a year after the zoning for Watertown Square was approved, City officials are preparing to begin the creation of two detailed plans to revitalize the Watertown Square commercial area, and to redesign the intersection. The project includes changes gto the roadway and intersection, as well as building on the parking lots in the Square.
Watertown’s first Civics Academy drew such good reviews that in its second year it will be even longer so that participants can learn even more about how local government works and city departments function.
Life science clusters in Watertown in 2025. The image appears in Watertown Bio’s 2025 Life Science Industry Report.
The biotech industry, while slowed, still has some life in Watertown, according to a recently published study. The City boasts the third most life science firms of any community in Massachusetts, the fourth most venture capital investmentd, and 20 new firms came to town in 2025.
Questions about immigration enforcement in Watertown are something that City Manager George Proakis has heard a lot recently, and he provided some information about the role of the Watertown Police and what they can and cannot do when federal agents are operating in town.
Watertown Police Chief Justin Hanrahan announced the arrest of a Cambridge man in relation to vandalism at one of Watertown’s Armenian churches in November. See the announcement, and this week’s Police Log, below.
“100 Years of Arshile Gorky” digital mural rendering by Brandon Gaia Marshall, 2024. Part of the selected mural proposal that will wrap both sides of the Grove Street underpass on the Watertown-Cambridge Greenway in Spring-Summer 2025.
The artist who will create a mural celebrating Watertown artists Arshile Gorky has been selected by the Watertown Arts and Culture Committee. See details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below.
A condo and a two-family home were sold this week.
The FBI arrested a man who traveled to Watertown from New York to allegedly sell drugs on Friday.
The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Chamber:
The Charles River Regional Chamber invites the community to the first annual Watertown Night, a special evening bringing together business owners, professionals, civic leaders, and community members. The event will take place on Thursday, Jan. 23 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Olespana Whiskey and Tapas Bar on Mt. Auburn Street.
James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net.
Charlie BreitroseWatertown’s City Hall.
Property taxes will rise nearly 6 percent over last year, but will still be lower than they were in Fiscal Year 2022 (2021-22).
The Mosesian Center for the Arts in Watertown. (Courtesy Photo)
The following announcement was provided by the Mosesian Center for the Arts Board:
The Mosesian Center for the Arts (MCA) received an off-cycle, emergency stabilization grant from the Watertown Community Foundation to offset the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.