Watertown Debates Parking Garage as Part of Square Redevelopment
- Dan Hogan
- Aug 12
- 2 min read
Watertown officials and residents began debating whether a structured parking garage should be part of the future of Watertown Square during a meeting of the City Council sitting as the Redevelopment Authority.
Council President Mark Sideris emphasized that the meeting was intended to answer one initial question — whether the city should pursue a parking garage — rather than determine its size, design, cost or other details. No decision was made.
City Manager George Proakis argued that structured parking could allow the city to make better use of land currently occupied by surface lots. There are approximately 350 parking spaces between the Watertown Free Public Library and CVS lots, and Proakis said a garage could potentially contain between 250 and 600 spaces, depending on its eventual size.
By consolidating parking vertically, Proakis said the city could free land for other goals identified through the Watertown Square planning process, potentially including housing, retail, green space and an extension of the Community Path. He pointed to Arsenal Yards and redevelopment projects in Lowell, Salem and Portsmouth, New Hampshire, as examples of structured parking supporting development.
Public opinion at the meeting was divided.
Supporters argued that a garage could provide needed parking for businesses while improving accessibility for older residents and people with mobility limitations. Business representatives also said a centralized parking strategy could help existing businesses and attract new ones to the Square.
Opponents questioned whether there is enough demand to justify a garage and expressed concerns about increased traffic, impacts on surrounding residential neighborhoods and whether drivers would use structured parking instead of surface lots.
Several residents and business representatives on both sides called for additional data on existing parking utilization and future demand before the city moves forward.
Existing businesses in the potential redevelopment area also raised concerns about displacement and maintaining customer access during construction.
City officials acknowledged that more information is needed.
Sideris said the Redevelopment Authority will continue discussing the proposal and hold another meeting after officials review the questions and concerns raised by the public.
No vote was taken on the garage.