Everett soccer stadium closer to reality under Massachusetts bill
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Image: Rendering by the Kraft Group
Massachusetts lawmakers are paving the way for the construction of a professional soccer stadium for the New England Revolution and a waterfront park in Everett and Boston.
Why it matters: The proposal, part of the state's nearly $4 billion economic development package unveiled Tuesday, would ensure that a private developer — likely the Kraft Group, which owns the Revs — pays for the environmental cleanup of a piece of contaminated land, as well as the stadium and park construction.
- But some critics, including Bradley Campbell of the Conservation Law Foundation, have raised concerns about the lack of a public process surrounding the future of the waterfront parcel.
What they’re saying: “We have seen the success story across the street from the site with the casino where that land itself was just sitting there for decades, unused,” Sen. Sal DiDomenico, who led the efforts to rezone the stadium site, told Axios.
- “We're going to have another opportunity to create even more of an economic engine.”
Zoom in: The bill rezones the 43-acre parcel for at least five years to allow the permitting and construction of the project.
- The developer will have to meet other local and state licensing and permitting requirements.
Yes, but: The developer, city and state officials also must meet several environmental and negotiating deadlines in 2025 to advance the project.
- The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs needs to review the rezoning decision by mid-March and offer recommendations.
- The MBTA has to create a transportation plan for the site, including bus routes, by March 1.
- The site owner must form agreements with the cities of Boston and Everett by May 1, lest talks head into mediation.
Between the lines: The bill prohibits the use of any public funds for the cleanup or construction of the site, except for infrastructure-related improvements in the surrounding area.
What’s next: Before the clock starts on those deadlines, lawmakers have to approve the economic development package and Gov. Maura Healey has to sign off on it.
- The House and Senate could take it up for a vote as early as this week, months after the formal lawmaking session ended.