Downtown Watertown Streetscape Enhancement
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 Groundbreaking!! View Flyer
 Pictures from the Ceremony
 See an image of our Streetscape Project (pdf file)
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Funding Background:
On July 1, 1999, the City of Watertown applied for funding for a $2.4 million dollar Downtown Streetscape Project.
In May of 2000, the grant application was partially funded - $375,000 total project cost.
Since the project was only partially funded, the City met with members of the public, downtown groups, City Staff and the City Council to decide on a scope of work for the project. In early 2001, the scope was finalized, with efforts focusing on the south and east sides of Public Square.
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On November 1, 2001 the City of Watertown applied for funding for a $1 million dollar downtown streetscape project that would provide funding for construction on the north and west sides, the center island and a bike lane on Newell Street.
In October of 2002, the second grant application was fully funded.
Additionally, the City applied and received a $50,000 Main Street New York grant for kiosks and signage and an additional $75,000 is set aside for additional improvements and repairs to the fountain. The total project cost is $1,500,000.
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Project Design Team & the Downtown Streetscape Project Advisory Committee:
In February of 2003, the City of Watertown entered into an agreement with Clough, Harbour and Associates (CHA) to design the project.
On March 6, 2003, a project kick-off meeting was held with City officials, CHA and members of the Downtown Streetscape Project Advisory Committee. The meeting was held to develop a design theme and project goals.
The Project’s Design Theme:
“Simple; Timeless; Reflective of historic elements that promote the vitality of the downtown by creation of a pedestrian friendly district.”
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The Project Advisory Committee’s Goals are:
- Be responsible to define the vision of the community for the benefit of the design team.
- Serve as the liaison to the public.
- Promote the successful completion of the project through construction.
- Promote a “universal design.”
- Shall make every effort to maintain existing parking and increase on street parking if and where possible.
- Recommend an appropriate course of action to the City Manager on how to best address the issue of deteriorating subsurface vaults.
- Promote a design that will result in traffic calming.
Project Components:
The project will involve streetscape improvements to the entire Public Square area, Public Square Park (the center island) and Washington Street up the Stone Street. Streetscape improvements will include new curbing and sidewalks, brick pavers, improved crosswalks, street trees, tree grates, landscaping, ornamental streetlights, pedestrian connection from the west end of the J.B. Wise parking lot to the Riverwalk and a bike lane on Newell Street from the Riverwalk to Coffeen Street. A wayfinding sign plan will also be developed for the downtown area with signage improvements with Public Square.
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Tentative Project Schedule:
Design plans are currently being developed for the project. Construction is expected to begin in the Fall of 2003 with the completion in the Spring of 2004.
Members of the Project Design Team:
- Jeff Opett, CHA
- Nick Schwartz, CHA
- Tim Faulkner, CHA
- Scott Lewendon, CHA
Members of the Downtown Streetscape Project Advisory Committee:
- Michael Lumbis, Project Manager, City of Watertown
- Ken Mix, City of Watertown
- Gary Pilon, City of Watertown
- Mary Corriveau, City of Watertown
- Joshua Carlsson, City of Watertown
- Nancy Catalina, NYSDOT
- Timothy LaBouf, Downtown Business Association
- Roxanne Burns, Downtown Development Board
- Gary Derouin II, Downtown Business Owner
- Tom Matthews, Downtown Business Owner
Contact Us:
Michael A. Lumbis, Project Manager
City of Watertown Planning Office
Suite 304, Municipal Building
245 Washington Street
Watertown, New York 13601
Telephone: (315) 785-7730
Fax: (315) 782-9014
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