By The Watertown Post Editorial Board
Once upon a time, Watertown, New York, wore the bold slogan “City of the Future.” It wasn’t just a tagline — it was a promise. A vision. A challenge to think bigger, aim higher, and prepare this city not just for the next year or next decade, but for the next century.
That vision has flickered in recent years. But now, more than ever, it’s time to relight that flame.
Let’s bring the slogan back — not as nostalgia, but as a declaration. We are no longer content to tread water as the City of the Present, or worse, slip into the rearview mirror as the City of the Past. We are growing — quietly, yes — but unmistakably. Our population is increasing in real terms, even if outdated census mechanisms haven’t caught up. Just ask the landlords. Ask the neighbors. Look at the density in apartments across the city.
Watertown is not fading. It’s swelling. Quietly. Organically. Now, let’s guide that growth with purpose.
From Downtown to City-Wide: Expanding the Blueprint
Downtown Watertown has come a long way. Buildings have been restored, businesses have moved in, and yes — the wires are underground. That’s not just cosmetic progress. It’s proof of concept. It shows we can modernize. It shows we can build smart.
So now, let’s do what a true City of the Future would do: take that success and run with it.
Why stop at downtown? Why not bury the lines city-wide? Clean up tangled utility poles, rip down unused wires, and push National Grid to step into the 21st century with us. It’s not just about aesthetics — it’s about resilience. Buried lines mean fewer outages during our brutal winters. Fewer downed trees. Fewer blackout risks during the next ice storm or microburst.
And speaking of trees — yes, we’re lucky to be a green city. But unmanaged brush and dead trees are hazards waiting to happen. Smart cities don’t wait for damage. They prevent it.
A Tech-Ready Town in the Right Place
Geographically, Watertown is a sleeper hit. We’re within reach of Toronto, Montreal, New York City, and Boston — all within a day’s drive. We’re already home to Fort Drum, Jefferson Community College, and a workforce that knows the value of discipline, hard work, and pride.
The only thing missing? Opportunity.
That’s why we need to open our arms to the tech sector. Clean energy firms. Artificial intelligence research hubs. Cybersecurity outfits. Data centers that could thrive in our climate and benefit from affordable real estate. We’re not asking for a handout — we’re offering a handshake.
If we build the infrastructure, clean up the landscape, and modernize the grid, those companies will notice. And once they come, they’ll steady our tax base. They’ll create high-wage jobs. They’ll make it possible for our kids to stay in Watertown, raise families, and build careers here — not in some faceless suburb hours away.
The Future is a Choice
Watertown’s best days aren’t behind us. They’re in front of us — if we choose them.
We’re not a city stuck in time. We’re a city quietly on the rise, waiting to be recognized for what it’s becoming. The time to stop playing defense is now. Let’s go back on offense. Let’s embrace smart growth. Let’s clean up what needs fixing, expand what’s already working, and give this city the dignity of a real plan.
It’s time to reclaim the name that told the world who we were meant to be:
Watertown — City of the Future.
And this time, let’s mean it.
