Council takes no vote on Watertown Square garage
Watertown's City Council, sitting as the redevelopment authority, held its first public hearing on a possible Watertown Square parking garage and took no vote on the question.
Select Board · Meeting of August 10, 2026
Watertown's City Council, sitting as the redevelopment authority, held its first public hearing on a possible Watertown Square parking garage and took no vote on the question. City Manager Proekas said a garage could hold 250 to 600 spaces, replacing roughly 350 existing surface spots, and cited Arsenal Yards, Lowell and Portsmouth, New Hampshire as precedent. About 41 residents joined by Zoom alongside dozens in the room; opponents including Russell Rico said "do not force us to use a garage that we do not want," while Watertown Business Coalition co-president Doug said the group's 195 members back a centralized parking plan.
Councilor Petrioli said the council does not yet "have enough information to even make a decision." The only vote taken all night was a unanimous motion to adjourn.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,162 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of August 10, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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