Watertown council hears 2028 Main Street reconstruction plan with $9.9 million estimate; city faces $4.4 million local share

City engineering staff updated the Watertown Common Council on plans to fully reconstruct 11 blocks of Main Street between Church Street and Martin Street, describing a project scope that includes new concrete pavement, curb and gutter, sidewalks, traffic signals, street lights and replacement of aging water, sanitary and storm sewer infrastructure.

The staff presentation said the project cost is currently estimated at $9,900,000, with $5,500,000 expected from the state and $4,400,000 as the city share. The city share includes roughly $2,400,000 identified for streetscape amenities (lighting, trees, bump-outs and similar items) and about $1,300,000 for nonparticipating water and sanitary sewer work, the presentation said.

The project stems from a task force convened in 2021 that produced streetscape recommendations in 2022 and led to hiring a landscape architect. The plan incorporates 14 guiding principles from the consultant, including preserving historic facades, creating low-stress pedestrian connections, and adding gateways and plantings. The council heard that some streetscape items that created cost or “cluttering” concerns — for example a recommended block-numbering system — are being removed from the state municipal financial agreement (SMFA) and that certain surface-mounted amenities will be installed after the 2028 reconstruction to avoid reworking new concrete.

Staff said the city has been coordinating with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) under an SMFA, and the project is currently awaiting 60% design plans from WisDOT for staff review. Key next steps listed were right-of-way and easement acquisition in 2026–27, final design in 2027 and construction in 2028. The presentation identified the Section 106 historical review and related environmental documentation as critical-path items that could trigger additional review if streetscape elements change.

Council members pressed staff on community engagement, financial clarity and the distribution of costs between state and city. Staff responded that the task force remains active with quarterly meetings that are publicly noticed and may meet more often as needed, and that more precise cost allocations will be available when WisDOT’s 60% plans are delivered. Alderman Lampe emphasized that downtown merchants view many of the locally funded “nonparticipating” amenities as essential to the district’s post-construction economic recovery.

The presentation also noted planned utility work and conduit installation to support future electrical or fiber optic needs, a proposed two-way traffic conversion for Third and Fourth streets, and a phased approach that places heavy infrastructure work during the 2028 construction window while leaving some aesthetic items to post-construction installation to avoid future rework.

Council members asked staff to continue outreach and to prioritize visibility into cost updates when the 60% plans arrive.

The council did not take action on the project at the meeting; staff said updated cost estimates will be returned for review with the 60% submittal.