Around Town

Grant, Mitigation Funds Will Help Pay for Arsenal Park Renovations, See Project Details

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A drawing of the proposed renovation for the eastern section of Arsenal Park, near the Arsenal Yards development. The Town Council will be asked to consider funding a $1.65 million renovation of a section of Arsenal Park, but the Town will get some help paying for the project from a grant and mitigation money from the next door Arsenal Yards project. The Town received a $200,000 Housing Choice Capital Grant, which will be applied to the first phase of the Arsenal Park project, along with $500,000 in mitigation funds paid by Arsenal Yards developers Boylston Properties, Town Manager Michael Driscoll said. He added the construction bids may come in lower due to the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, so the might be lower than the original $1.65 million budget. The Town Council voted unanimously to let Town officials put the project out to bid.

Government

Arsenal Park Renovation Plans to be Presented at Town Council Meeting

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A drawing of the proposed renovation for the eastern section of Arsenal Park, near the Arsenal Yards development. The proposed renovation of the eastern section of Arsenal Park will be presented to the Town Council Tuesday night in a meeting to be held online. Project designers from CDM Smith will present the plans for the $1.6 million project during the May 12 Council meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. The agenda item is an informational presentation, and no vote will be taken. The meeting will be televised and the public can join by computer or phone (info below). The section of the park being discussed is Phase A, which is the section of the park that abuts the Arsenal Yards property.

Business

Many Stores at Arsenal Yards Closing During Coronavirus, See How to Get Your Coffee

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The recently opened Majestic 7 is one of several places at Arsenal Yards that will close temporarily due to the Coronavirus. Most of the retail stores at Watertown’s Arsenal Yards have closed due to the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the area. The new cinema and two of the new restaurants were also impacted. On Friday, Marshalls announced it will be closing its Watertown store temporarily, Arsenal Yards announced on its Facebook page:

Starting today, Marshalls at Arsenal Yards will be closed for the next two weeks. TJX has made the decision to close all their stores globally to help prevent the further spread of the virus.

Business

Majestic 7 Movie Theaters Open for Business in Watertown

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The Majestic 7 movie theaters have opened at Arsenal Yards. The following information was provided by Arsenal Yards:

The Majestic 7, a CW Theater, is now open and will host grand opening festivities on March 14 and 15, 2020 at its new Watertown location in Arsenal Yards. The modern seven-screen entertainment venue is just the latest of exciting openings at Arsenal Yards, the thriving 1M+ sq. foot mixed-use urban village coming to life in Watertown with 250,000 sq. ft.

Business

New Eatery With Long Beer List Opening Soon in Watertown

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A rendering of City Works, a restaurant with an extensive beer selection, which will open at Arsenal Yards in March. The following announcement was provided by Arsenal Yards:

Chicago-based Bottleneck Management announces the forthcoming opening of City Works Eatery & Pour House at 91 Arsenal Yards Blvd. in the Arsenal Yards development in Watertown. Slated to open to the public on Friday, March 13, this will be the tenth location of City Works in the country. Helmed by General Manager Daniels White and Executive Chef Chris Kravitz, the new restaurant offers an extensive craft beer list of over 90 local, regional, and global craft brews, complemented by classic American cuisine with chef-driven twists.

Around Town

Developer Defends Watertown After Globe Article Poo Poos Town as Biotech Destination

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An illustration of the biotech tower planned for Arsenal Yards. It appeared as part of an ad taken out by Boylston Properties defending Watertown as a biotech destination after a Boston Globe article that said Kendall Square is the place to be. The owners of Arsenal Yards leapt to the defense of Watertown after a Boston Globe published an article about biotech bigwigs snubbing the town as a place to set up business. The Jan. 26 Boston Globe article interviewed biotech execs and investors who said that Cambridge’s Kendall Square remains the place to be.

Arsenal Yards

Groovy Ice Cream Chain Setting Up Shop in Watertown

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Watertown residents will soon be able to grab a Cherry Garcia or Chunky Monkey right in their own backyard. Arsenal Yards announced on its Instagram feed that Ben & Jerry’s will be coming to the redeveloped Arsenal Mall. View this post on Instagram We’ve got a sweet, sweet surprise for you… Guess who’s opening in this gorgeous building later this year?! {yes, you’re going to want to tell your friends 🙌} .

Around Town

ICYMI: Watertown Featured on WCVB’s Chronicle

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Watertown was featured as part of a recent episode of WCVB Channel 5’s Chronicle. The piece focused on what residents already know: Watertown is the place to be! They highlighted the town’s Armenian community and visited Massis Bakery, and visited the Cigar and Lounge in the East End. The piece also touched on the major building boom, including the remaking of the Arsenal Mall into Arsenal Yards and the biotech boom. And don’t forget New Rep Theatre and its upcoming production of Hair the musical.