Two concepts for the City Square project that Charlestown is considering.
Provided by City of Charlestown
CHARLESTOWN — The Charlestown Redevelopment Commission was given a presentation on the city square revitalization project this week.
On the square, the old YMCA building would be replaced with a community gathering space for the city, which is expected to cost around $6.8 million. It would, based on the proposal, have a stage for performances, removable barricades and either improvements or a replacement of the gazebo on the square. Once completed, the stage will have an amphitheater design and feature more parking in the area.
For over 20 years the YMCA has been vacant. In 2024, the redevelopment commission acquired the building and has been working with the Mayor Treva Hodges on ideas for what to do with it.
This will be a family friendly space that will help with all of the city’s events, feature a sit-down restaurant, a grassy area to enjoy performances and more.
“The square is starting to come together more and more every day, week and year,” said Chuck Deaton, a board member on the redevelopment commission. “This is one of those things that we want to do just to get rid of the stuff that’s a blight in town.”
Having this feature on the square will also prevent Charlestown from needing to rent a stage for events and make it easier to shut down Short Street for the events.
The project is still under design and in the concept phase. It has been a group effort between the redevelopment commission, the mayor and the Wheatly Group.
The YMCA building will be torn down by Dan Cristiani Excavating and should be starting soon.
“This is probably one of the most exciting projects we have going on in the city right now,” Hodges said. “This is a transformative project that will help revitalize the businesses and activity on the square.”
Looking to the future, Hodges believes that this project is an investment that will keep the small town appeal by creating these gathering spaces. Two designs have been created, but for the final one they want to combine the best features from each design as well as hearing from community members on what they would like to see from the event area.
“The essence of the city is what I call the square,” Deaton said. “It would dress up the essence of everything. It would make everything better. Everything will look better in that area.”
It would also help every business on the square, Deaton added.
For those who would like to give feedback and ideas to the redevelopment commission, Deaton suggests that they come to the meetings and sign up for public comment. They can also reach out to the commission or the mayor by either email or phone call to share their ideas.
“I encourage people to come talk and talk to the commission because all of this is tax dollars,” Deaton said. “It’s everybody’s money… You want people to talk about this stuff. You don’t want it to feel like it’s one-sided.”
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