HomeMy Public PortalAbout23-11-14 Resolution: Watertown Square Cultural DistrictWatertown City Council
Administration Building
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-972-6470
RESOLUTION#
2023—R—
RESOLUTION TO UNDERTAKE THE CREATION OF A WATERTOWN SQUARE
CULTURAL DISTRICT
WHEREAS: the provisions of G.L. c. 10, §58A provide for the establishment of
cultural districts to attract artists and cultural enterprises to a community, encourage
business and job development, establish tourist destinations, preserve and reuse
historic buildings, enhance property values and foster local cultural development; and
WHEREAS: the City of Watertown wishes to pursue designation of a state -
authorized cultural district as provided for in G.L. c. 10, §58A; and
WHEREAS: the City of Watertown has a mixed -use geographical area that has a
concentration of cultural facilities and assets, and
WHEREAS: the City of Watertown has held a public meeting as required to establish
a state -designated cultural district, and
WHEREAS: the City of Watertown created a broad and diverse partnership of
stakeholders committed to cultural, community, and economic development to provide
oversight of the district, and
WHEREAS: the Massachusetts Cultural Council will be petitioned in accordance with
its guidelines and criteria to designate said cultural district.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that the City of Watertown undertake
creation of a state -authorized cultural district for a period of at least (5) years to be
named the Watertown Square Cultural District, and in doing so agrees to:
1. foster the development of the Cultural District;
2. endorse the state -sponsored cultural district goals of attracting artists
and cultural enterprises, encouraging business and job development,
establishing tourist destinations, preserving and reusing historic
buildings, enhancing property values, and fostering local cultural
development;
3. appoint a City official to represent the City within the District partnership
of said Cultural District;
4. encourage all who own property or business within the Cultural District
to involve themselves and participate in the full development of the
District; and
5. direct City agencies to identify programs and services that could support
and enhance the development of the Cultural District and ensure that
those programs and services are accessible to the Cultural District.
I hereby certify that at a Meeting of the City Council for which a quorum was present, the
above Resolution was adopted by a vote of rfor, t7against, and 0 present on
November 14, 2023.
Brenda T. McCa, . . ouncil Clerk
Mark S. Sideris,
Council President
Caroline Bays,
Councilor At Large
Nicole Gardner,
DistrictA Councilor
Mark S. Sideris, Council President
ELECTED OFFICIALS
Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr.,
Vice President &
District C Councilor
John G. Gannon,
Councilor At Large
Lisa J. Feltner,
District B Councilor
John M. Airasian,
Councilor At Large
Anthony Palomba,
Councilor At Large
Emily Izzo,
District D Councilor