An economic development update presented July 1 outlined multiple housing projects underway, employer expansions and a proposed rezoning of a 60‑acre city parcel known as Highway A to “plan industrial.”

The presenter, identified as Mason (city staff), said Rock River Ridge (on the former Bethesda campus) has single‑family lots selling faster than anticipated and that Harbor Homes is a year ahead on lot purchases from the Greater Watertown Community Foundation. Lumen Terrace Horizon is expected to break ground later in the summer on four buildings totaling 92 apartment units; the city created Tax Increment District (TID) No. 9 to support that project.

Other housing work includes the Edgefield subdivision (43 single‑family homes and 12 twin‑home units), the Balinski enclave (single‑family lots averaging about 1,500 square feet and targeting a mid‑$300,000 price range), and College Park, a Habitat for Humanity project across from Madison College described in the presentation as “2 12 duplex units… so 6 builds in an affordable range” (language in the presentation was not fully clarified at the meeting). The presentation also noted a Wilbur Street extension likely next year funded in part by a Dodge County Development Fund grant.

On industry, Mason said Johnsonville announced 75 new second‑shift jobs paying between $25 and $45 an hour and that discussions continue with other firms about potential expansions. He described Highway A — roughly 60 acres — as the only large buildable site owned by the city and said staff intend to rezone it to a plan‑industrial classification that would allow higher aesthetic and green‑space standards; a first public hearing is expected at Plan Commission and then council later in the month.

Councilors raised infrastructure questions. Alder Lampe asked whether contingency‑fund sizing happens at budget season; Alder Arnett urged long‑range utility planning (water, wastewater, electrical) to make the city competitive for larger industrial uses. Mason noted private utility capacity limits that make large‑scale data centers unlikely but said the city can accommodate light industry, food and beverage, and biohealth uses.

Why it matters: the projects described would add housing units, jobs and tax base; rezoning Highway A and coordinating utility planning are prerequisites to attracting larger employers. Several councilors asked staff to fold development priorities into longer‑range capital and utilities planning so the city can present shovel‑ready sites to prospective employers.