A strategic management plan for parking in two busy downtown squares

Watertown Square and Coolidge Square Parking Management Plan

Watertown is embracing its changing future while remaining a traditional community, with long tenured residents and a high quality of life. With roadway construction, growing use of driving alternatives, and storefronts bringing in more people, it was time to tackle the perception that a parking shortage existed.

Watertown’s Parking Management Plan completed an integrated analysis of parking supply, demand, location, pricing, and management in Watertown Square and Coolidge Square. Stantec led a robust data-driven and public-focused approach to identify ten recommendations that maximize parking assets and modernize parking management while maintaining the town’s character. New parking technology, focused pricing changes, strategic re-introduction of parking on key streets, and improved physical connections all work to align the parking system with the activity in each of Watertown’s vibrant squares. Identifying, naming, and branding off-street facilities raises the profile of city assets.

In aggregate, the plan also showed that public and private supply exists to support additional growth, especially if managed comprehensively. The town council voted to adopt the plan, which is now moving into implementation.