Massachusetts lawmakers to consider a soccer stadium for the New England Revolution
Massachusetts lawmakers are planning to vote this week on a bill that would pave the way for the construction of a new soccer stadium for the New England Revolution in Everett
BOSTON — Massachusetts lawmakers are planning to vote this week on a bill that would clear the way for the construction of a new soccer stadium for the New England Revolution in Everett, within sight of Boston and across the street from a casino and hotel complex.
The 43-acre (17-hectare) site is currently the location of the now defunct Mystic Generating Station along the Mystic River.
The team has been sharing Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) south of Boston, with the New England Patriots. Both teams are owned by Robert Kraft, CEO of the Kraft Group, which has been searching for space closer to Boston to build the stadium.
A representative for the Revolution declined to comment until after lawmakers vote.
Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka said Wednesday that the stadium deal was part of negotiations between the state House and Senate on a larger $4 billion economic development bill. The bill prohibits the use of public dollars for construction of the stadium.
The project has several upsides including helping clean up a toxic waste site, opening up the coastline for more recreation, creating jobs for building and maintaining the stadium and helping boost tourism, according to Spilka.
«Sports is really big in Massachusetts,» she said.
Officials in Everett, including Mayor Carlo DeMaria, have backed the proposal as a way to help boost the economy of the city of about 50,000.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has remained skeptical of the project, saying she's concerned about how traffic to and from the stadium may
Read more on abcnews.go.com
