The City Council recently approved a bond
that will help finance one of the most extensive neighborhood
improvement projects ever undertaken. The $4.1 million project will
be primarily financed by tax credits for investors and state and
federal grants. The city's commitment is estimated to be as low as
$50,000.
The project will increase the tax base, stimulate businesses
to stay and expand, and remove a tremendous amount of blight. Seven
buildings will be demolished and approximately 23 fewer rental units
will be on the market.
The historic Emerson Place row house will be restored to its
original charm and provide three- and four-bedroom apartments that
Watertown has a need for. I believe this is a much better solution
than spending considerable more city tax dollars for demolition of
the Emerson Place row apartments.
New roads, sewer, park and green space will replace the
ugliness that one now experiences when driving down State Street.
How else can you do so much for $50,000 of city taxpayers' money?
Joseph M. Butler, Watertown
Mayor, City of Watertown