Around Town

City Calls for Art to Revitalize Coolidge Square During Mt. Auburn St. Construction

By |

A map of Coolidge Square showing possible installation locations. The City of Watertown today announced “Open for Business,” a new public art initiative inviting artists and artist teams to submit proposals for temporary outdoor art installations in Coolidge Square. This project aims to maintain the vibrancy of the neighborhood and support local businesses during the ongoing reconstruction of Mount Auburn Street. The extensive Mount Auburn Street reconstruction project, while essential for long-term revitalization, will undoubtedly cause temporary disruption to businesses in Coolidge Square. In response, the City of Watertown seeks to transform this period of change into an opportunity for community engagement and economic support through the power of public art.

Around Town

City’s Next Watertown Chats Focusing on Coolidge Square

By |

The next Watertown Chats will take place on Friday in East Watertown. See details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. Come Discover Coolidge Square and visit Watertown Chats on Friday, June 27 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Sullivan Park on the corner of Mount Auburn Street and Arlington Street! Join and connect with Community Engagement Specialist, Tyler Cote, and Senior Planner for Economic Development, Erin Rathe to ask questions about the City, learn about happenings around Watertown, get an update on the Mount Auburn Street Project, and receive resources about Coolidge Square! Learn more at watertown-ma.gov/chats

Business

Discover Coolidge Square: Events, Specials & More from June 25-28

By |

Coolidge Square may be under construction, but the heart of the East End is open for business. The City of Watertown has joined with local businesses, groups, and elected officials to celebrate the business center in East Watertown. See the events and specials planned for Discover Watertown, provided by the City of Watertown Economic Development division. Wednesday, June 25 @ 2:30 p.m. Meet Your Councilor and State Rep! District A Councilor Nicole Gardner and MA Rep. Steve Owens will host joint office hours at Dunkin Donuts (635 Mt Auburn) from 2:30-3:30 p.m. All are invited to stop by!

Around Town

Discover Coolidge Square in the June WBC Walk N Talk

By |

Discover Coolidge Square in the next Watertown Walk N Talk hosted by the Watertown Business Coalition and Live Well Watertown. See more details in the announcement provided by the WBC below. The June Walk N Talk will visit Coolidge Square Businesses and see some of the gems that make Coolidge Square a destination. 

Stay tuned for information about which businesses we will visit and where it will begin. 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. Whether you’re looking to relax, network, or enjoy the outdoors, these walks offer a perfect blend of recreation and community engagement.

Around Town

Mt. Auburn St. Project: Traffic & Pedestrian Signal Work, Bus Stop Moves Back to Normal Spot

By |

The City of Watertown provided the following information about the Mt. Auburn Street Project. Update:  The bus stop for Route 71 at Mount Auburn St and Bigelow Ave that was temporarily relocated will resume its normal location on Saturday April 5, 2025. For more details on Route 71, visit the MBTA’s schedules and maps. Intersection of Mount Auburn Street & Arlington Street Electrical Traffic and Pedestrian Signal Work

Starting Monday April 7, 2025 Newport Construction will be installing traffic electrical conduit (underground electrical pipes) at the intersection of Mount Auburn Street and Arlington Street.  

Traffic ImpactsTemporary lane shifts may occur and work will take place on the sidewalks, but will remain open and accessible.

Around Town

Mt. Auburn Street Renovation Includes Reduced Travel Lanes, Buffered Bike Lanes & Pedestrian Gathering Areas

By |

A rendering of the new landscaped area in Coolidge Square at Bigelow Avenue as part of the Mt. Auburn Street Project. (Courtesy of Tighe & Bond)

When work finishes on one of Watertown’s major arteries, the street will have fewer lanes in some places, protected bike lanes, and landscaped areas for people to gather. Mt. Auburn Street will receive a major facelift, and be redesigned in some places, during the project that will impact almost the entire length of the artery that runs from Watertown Square to the Cambridge line.

Andrea's House of Pizza

Watertown Pizza Place Closing After Four Decades

By |

Andrea’s House of Pizza will be closing. A favorite spot for Watertown pizza lovers will be closing after 40 years serving local diners. Andrea’s House of Pizza in Coolidge Square will be closing this week, said Alex Taoultsides, who co-owns Andrea’s with his father Stratos. “Our last day is August 19th,” he said. “After 40 years it’s time to retire.”

Around Town

See the Recommendations of the Watertown Parking Plan

By |

A parking consultant recommends replacing Watertown’s current parking meters with “smart” meters that offer a range of payment options. This is one of many recommendations in the Watertown Parking Management Plan. Town officials recently released the final version of the Watertown Parking Management Plan, which included 10 recommendations, including adding high tech meters, adding meters in some places, removing them in others, and having different priced depending on the demand. The recommendations were developed by Stantec, the consultant hired by the town to look at parking in Watertown’s major commercial districts: Watertown Square and Coolidge Square. They also held public meetings to hear from residents and workers.