In May, 2012, the H2O-20 Steering Committee, a group of Watertown volunteers, started working with Market Street, Inc., to create a Vision Plan for Watertown 2020. The plan was devised after months of research, meetings with local focus groups, interviews with city leaders as well as the compilation of over 2,200 on-line community survey results.
The Vision Plan is guided by a single vision statement that acknowledges the attributes desired by residents and seeks to define a community in 2020 that residents and businesses will be proud to call “home.” The vision statement is a unifying principle to guide collaborative community improvement in the years ahead, respecting that thousands of Watertown residents have taken the time to share their opinions and help build a better Watertown.
Vision Statement
“Watertown is a progressive community with collaborative leadership, characterized by our commitment to public education, diversity of employment opportunities, safe and attractive neighborhoods and business districts, and vibrant cultural and recreational amenities. Our dedication to developing and maintaining these attributes will ensure that our community is welcoming, family-friendly, and appealing to all ages for many years to come.”
5 Focus Areas
Going forward, the H20-20 effort will include as many interested residents as possible in five main areas of focus:
- Commitment to Public Education – chaired by Don Roby
- Diversity of Employment Opportunities – chaired by Steve Lehner & Adam Karst
- Safe & Attractive Neighborhoods & Business Districts – chaired by Jo Vitek
- Vibrant Cultural & Recreational Amenities – chaired by Robb Peterson
- Welcoming, Family-Friendly, and Appealing to All Ages – chaired by Kyle Lalim
Committees and subcommittees in each of the five area have been formed and continue to meet, plan, set goals and take steps to attain them.
While all committees are working diligently toward a “better” Watertown, here is a sample of recent accomplishments.
The Diversity of Employment Opportunities Committee of H20-20 has accomplished site certification for the Pheasant Ridge Industrial Park. Work is currently being done to certify the Interstate Office Addition.
Kampeska Capital is formed to help local entrepreneurs and start-up companies.
CLEANING UP - Several volunteer met to pick up trash at the I-29 exit in May. The group included retirees and folks from Dakota Color and Collision, Hampton Inn, Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Lions Club and the Litter-Bit Better Team. Thank you, from left, Mike Collins, Bob Jenson, Dustin Nebel, Julie Rude, Nolan Lindner, Vivian Westgard, Colleen Hestad, Ronda Roby, Ron Madsen, Doug Alvine and Gary Westgard.
LITTER BIT BETTER, organized by the Safe & Attractive Neighborhoods & Business Districts Committee, brought in 200 bags of trash and 37 bags of recycling. Approximately 350 volunteers from 45 businesses and groups were coordinated by Carla Roby and Arlene Brandt-Jenson for the project. Groups range from Boy Scout troops and schools to churches and retirees. Special thanks to the Watertown Volunteer Center for taking calls, assigning zones, distributing bags and collecting feedback forms.
There are four overall SANBD objectives:
- Beautify our key gateways, corridors and activity centers;
- Transform uptown Watertown into a vibrant city center while preserving its historical appeal;
- Build community pride through volunteer-led beautification projects; and
- Promote policies and services that continue to improve public safety in Watertown.
Please join us as we continue to build a better community.