Many questions, not as many answers on the status of The Ruins apartment project in downtown Watertown (Audio)
September 27, 2023
Mike Tanner
WATERTOWN, S.D.–An apartment project in downtown Watertown that was scheduled to be completed some nine months ago doesn’t appear to be making much progress, with very little, if any, construction taking place.
Fargo-based developer Jesse Craig tore down the former Palace Apartment building on Kemp Avenue with plans to replace it with a four story, 63-unit apartment building called The Ruins (pictured), just east of the new Community Foundation Plaza, which opened this summer.
The apartment building has been enclosed for many months, but it’s still not finished, and local residents are wondering when, or if, that will happen.
In an interview with KWAT News a year ago, Craig talked about the project, which was scheduled to include some public use space, which Craig agreed to lease to the city for one dollar a year……
A message to Craig on the status of the project has not been returned.
On his company’s website, it mentions an opening date of The Ruins in the “Summer 2023.” That can be found by clicking here: https://www.livingwatertown.com/ruins
Watertown Mayor Ried Holien says he can’t talk about the project due to, “legal reasons.”
City Manager Amanda Mack says a three year construction permit on the project is good through December 29, 2024. She says the agreement on the public space portion of the project, “does not have a specific date for opening.”
In addition to The Ruins, Craig’s other apartment projects in Watertown include The Lofts, Parkside Place and Generations on First.
