NEW: Developer Jesse Craig working on parking ramp project in downtown Watertown (Audio)

March 15, 2022
Mike Tanner

WATERTOWN, S.D.–Fargo-based developer Jesse Craig has invested millions of dollars in apartment projects in downtown Watertown.

It started with The Lofts apartments, which were built at the site of the former Harbor Bar, which burned down in 2019.

But his projects have expanded to include Parvkview Place, built at the site of the former County Fair Banquet Hall, Generations on First, and The Ruins, which is going up at the site of the former Palace Apartments on Kemp Avenue.

His next project could be entirely different.

Craig tells KWAT News he’s had preliminary talks with city officials about building a four level, 128 stall parking ramp downtown that would have up to 28 apartment units on the top level.

He says with all the building that’s taken place downtown, a ramp would address what’s becoming an increasingly tight inventory of parking spaces…….

Craig says he’s identified a site for the parking ramp, but won’t reveal it publicly just yet. It would require about a half-square block of land.  The cost would be in the $3.5 million range…

KWAT News asked Craig if this would be “free” parking…

Parking ramps can be an eyesore, but that’s not what Craig envisions in this case. He says it would fit in with its surroundings….

Craig says he expects to present the parking ramp idea to the Watertown City Council this spring.

You can hear the entire interview with Jesse Craig by clicking here: