Around Town

Walk N Talk Visits Spots on Arsenal Street That Have Undergone Major Changes, Ends With Eats at Restaurant

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Arsenal Park is one of the stops in the September Walk N Talk

The October Watertown Business Coalition Walk N Talk, in conjunction with Live Well Watertown, will visit two areas of town that have undergone major changes in the past several years: Arsenal Park and the Arsenal on the Charles. 

We will meet at the Mosesian Center for the Arts, then visit the historical markers in the Arsenal on the Charles complex. Then we will see the recently renovated Arsenal Park and end at Branch Line restaurant for some small bites. Parking is available in the parking garage near the Mosesian Center/Branch Line. Click here to register. The Walk N Talk, co-sponsored with Live Well Watertown, provides an opportunity to engage with fellow community members, support local Watertown businesses and participate in physical activity.

Around Town

Athenahealth Leaving Watertown, Heading Down the Road

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Athenahealth will be leaving its longtime home in Watertown and the company’s headquarters will be relocated to Brighton. For nearly 20 years the health care tech company has been located at the Arsenal on the Charles, a complex the company once owned. Athena has leased 100,000 sq. ft. at Boston Landing in Brighton for its corporate headquarters, the according to the Real Reporter.

Arsenal on the Charles

Hundreds Pay Tribute to “Fiscal Driscoll” at Town Manager’s Retirement Party

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Charlie BreitroseState Rep. John Lawn recalls working with Town Manager Michael Driscoll at Driscoll’s retirement celebration at the Commander’s Mansion. Sitting with Driscoll is his wife Jane. Around 200 people crowded into a tent outside the Commander’s Mansion Saturday evening to thank and pay tribute to the man known as “Fiscal Driscoll,” for his leadership of Watertown’s government for nearly three decades. Along with his financial prowess, people recalled former Town Manager (City Manager for the last few months) Michael Driscoll’s detailed memory, his ability to make the tough decision even when unpopular, and his devotion to the community he worked for for 45 years. The list of what was accomplished under his leadership is long, and Council President Mark Sideris read the City Council’s proclamation, which included the highlights: Starting curbside recycling, the Faire on the Square, the free Summer Concert Series, and the Watertown Farmers Market.

Alexandria Real Estate

Mosesian Center for the Arts Celebrates Opening of New Space, Return of Live Performances

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Charlie BreitroseVisitors get their first look inside the renovated lobby of the Mosesian Center for the Arts. From the outside, the Mosesian Center for the Arts looks as it has for years, but step inside the front doors and you are greeted by a new lobby that draws you in and showcases works of art on its walls. Thursday evening, the Arts Center located in the Arsenal on the Charles, held a grand opening for its new and improved lobby, and a return of the performing arts. A soft opening was held on Nov. 12 when the first stage show in more than a year-and-a-half went on — the Watertown Children’s Theatre Production of Mama Mia.

Government

New Plan for Arsenal on the Charles Approved by Planning Board, Millions in Mitigation Projects to be Done

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Alexandria Real Estate EquitiesA view of Building 2 with a pedestrian plaza in front. It is one of the new additions to the Arsenal on the Charles proposed by Alexandria Real Estate and approved by the Planning Board. The owners of the Arsenal on the Charles complex got approval for changes to the master plan, including three new buildings, and the owners will pay millions in mitigation funding. The plan had been criticized for the number of trees that would be lost in the projects, but the approved plan saves some of those originally slated to be removed. On July 14, the Planning Board gave approval for the amendment to the master plan proposed by Alexandria Real Estate Equities.

Development

Hearing About Future of Arsenal on the Charles, Plan for Trees on Campus Continues Monday

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Alexandria Real Estate EquitiesAn overhead view of the Arsenal on the Charles complex, with the new buildings proposed by Alexandria Real Estate Equities shown in blueish-grey. Arsenal Street runs along the top of the map, and North Beacon Street is the road the curves toward the bottom. Alexandria Real Estate Equities discussed their master plan for the Arsenal on the Charles complex at last Wednesday’s Planning Board meeting. The group will continue the discussion at a special Planning Board meeting on Monday, June 14. The group purchased the property located at 311 Arsenal St.

Development

LETTER: In Support of Modification of Plan for Arsenal on the Charles

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We would like to voice our support for the modification of the Masterplan for the Arsenal on the Charles site which was submitted by Alexandria Real Estate (ARE) to the planning Board on June 9th. 

For many reasons, we believe that the ARE submission is far superior to the current Master Plan. 

The proposal brings economic development that is consistent with Watertown’s comprehensive plan, bringing excellent job opportunities in growing fields. It features state of the art carbon reduction strategies for its buildings, aggressive targets for reducing its overall carbon footprint and increased publicly accessible open space. 

ARE has previously worked in Watertown and has a demonstrated track record as a developer that engages with neighbors and contributes to the community.  Responding to citizen concerns, ARE modified its earlier landscaping plan to address the community’s recognition of the importance of trees for a healthy environment.  The plan that was presented to the Planning Board calls for 129 more trees than are currently on the site. ARE has developed a comprehensive plan that will maintain more of the larger trees on the site, transplant some existing trees to new locations and plant many new trees, paying careful attention to selecting species most suited to the Intended use. We have seen many transformations of the Watertown Arsenal over the years.  The community had important feedback for ARE. The developer listened and responded, leading to an excellent proposal for a sustainable and attractive project that will make the thriving Arsenal property even better than it is today.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities

OP-ED: Resident Concern About Loss of Hundreds of Trees During Redevelopment Project

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Samatha Rao VuppalaShade trees in the Arsenal on the Charles complex. (The following piece was submitted by Sharon Bromberg-Lim, a member of Trees for Watertown)

A large real estate equities firm arrives in a small New England town. Based in California, the firm has rolled into many towns before, bought up properties big and small, and plunked down buildings. This project is just one of many investments that the firm owns. The firm says it must cut down more than 200 trees to put up its buildings.