Around Town

City Manager Talks About Life Science Sector, Federal Funding, Future of Watertown Square & More in His City Update

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Watertown City Manager George Proakis covered a variety of topics in his City Update on Tuesday. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Watertown’s economic prospects remain promising, despite a downturn in life sciences and uncertainty in future funds from Washington, City Manager George Proakis said during his City Update at an event hosted by the Watertown Business Coalition on Tuesday. During the event at the Hampton Inn & Suites, he also spoke about the possible reuse of the former Police Station property, how the new Cultural District could help the local economy, and the redevelopment of Watertown Square. Life Science Sector

While the lab boom of the early 2020s has waned, Proakis said that the industry still remains solid. “We have 4 million square feet of lab space now, and while vacancies are currently high, indicators are the industry is still growing, with job growth outpacing layoffs, and I think that last thing that is the key is the industry built very aggressively in the lab field of the last couple of years,” Proakis said.

Around Town

City Manager Will Give City Update at Watertown Business Coalition Event

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City Manager George Proakis will be providing a City Update at an event hosted by the Watertown Business Coalition at the Hampton Inn & Suites on Tuesday, March 11, at 8 a.m.

George will provide the most up-to-date information about the City’s priorities for the year to come. There will also be time to network with people from local businesses, non-profits, and more. The event is free and open to WBC members, Watertown residents, and those who work and do business in Watertown.This event will not be live streamed. The Hampton Suites & Inn is located at 25 Bond Street, Watertown (Arsenal Yards). RSVP Here

Business

Business Group Hosting Networking Event at the Commander’s Mansion

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Charlie BreitroseThe Commander’s Mansion in Watertown. The Watertown Business Coalition will host its first event of 2025, a morning networking event at the Commander’s Mansion. See details in the announcement below. It’s a New Year! Let’s continue a great start with a chance to connect with our neighbors, local small business, local employees and friends of the WBC and City Government. Enjoy coffee and light bites from Tatte while enjoying conversation with old friends and new faces.

Around Town

Local Podcast Episodes Focus on Director of Armenian Photo Archive, Plus a Real Estate Agent & Business Leader

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Arto Vaun

Little Local Conversations Podcast creator Matt Hanna recently profiled the executive director of the Project Save Photograph Archive, as well as a local real estate agent and business leader. In “Little Local Conversations,” discover the people, places, stories, and ideas of Watertown. Hanna has conversations with various businesses owners, community leaders, creatives, and other interesting folks in Watertown to learn about what they do and get to know a bit about the people behind the work. 

Arto Vaun

Meet Arto Vaun! He’s Executive Director of Project Save Photograph Archive and a musician and poet here in Watertown. We talk about his own journey as a self-described late bloomer in owning his artistic identity to now getting public acclaim for his music, how he came to be interested in joining Project Save and his vision for reimagining it for the future to have a broader scope outside of just the Armenian community, and we dive into the backstory of Project Save and its founder and how it’s a truly incredible 50 year old cultural collection that is unique not only in the region, but the country and world.

Around Town

Holiday Mixer & Toy Drive to be Hosted by Rotary Club & Watertown Business Coalition

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The Rotary Club of Watertown and the Watertown Business Coalition invite the community to join them for the third annual Holiday Mixer and Toy Drive on Dec. 2. See more details below. The Watertown Business Coalition, the Rotary Club of Watertown, and the Mosesian Center for the Arts are teaming up for the 3rd Annual Holiday Mixer and Toy Drive. The event will be on Monday, December 2nd from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St, Watertown.

Around Town

Meet the Police and Fire Chiefs at the Next Watertown Business Coalition Event

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The Watertown Business Coalition will host a talk with Watertown’s Police and Fire Chiefs at Cambridge Savings Bank. See details from the WBC below. Come meet the Chiefs on Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Cambridge Savings Bank in Watertown, 54 Arsenal St. Watertown Police Chief Justin Hanrahan and Watertown Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson will talk a bit about what’s going on with their departments in the City, then we’ll open it up to questions.

Around Town

Fall Leaves and History to be Featured at Walk N Talk Around Mount Auburn Cemetery

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(Courtesy of Mount Auburn Cemetery)

Enjoy the fall foliage and hear about the history of the Mount Auburn Cemetery during the Walk N Talk co-sponsored by the Watertown Business Coalition and Live Well Watertown. The WBC provided the following announcement about the event on Thursday, Oct. 24, at 1 p.m.:

We will be joined by the Mount Auburn Cemetery President and CEO Matthew Stephens. During the WALK N TALK we will hear a few stories about those buried on the grounds, discuss the history of the Cemetery as well as discuss new initiatives! Arrival: arrive via our Mount Auburn Street Entrance (580 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge).

Around Town

Watertown Business Coalition’s Next Coffee Connect is at One of Watertown’s Newest Cafes

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The counter at Revival Cafe on Coolidge Avenue in Watertown. (Courtesy of Revival Cafe)

The Watertown Business Coalition invites the public to its next Coffee Connect, which will feature a Q&A with Watertown’s Senior Planner for Economic Development. See the announcement from the WBC below:

WBC’s next Coffee Connect on Wednesday, Oct. 16 beginning at 8:30 a.m., will be hosted by Revival Café & Kitchen, 99 Coolidge Ave., Watertown. Register today to join your fellow WBC members as we network in the recently constructed life science building on Coolidge Avenue, site of the former Mount Auburn Club. 

In addition, we are thrilled to have City of Watertown’s Erin Rathe, Senior Planner – Economic Development join us for an insightful Q&A. Don’t miss what promises to be a great event; free and open to all!