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What do you think of the Kraft Group’s deal to build a New England Revolution soccer stadium?
Do you have concerns about the impact the stadium could have on traffic, the environment, and public transit?
The Kraft Group, owners of the New England Revolution, announced last week that they’ve reached agreements with the cities of Boston and Everett to move forward with a new soccer stadium along the Mystic River in Everett.
According to the Dec. 31 announcement, Boston will receive nearly $48 million over 15 years, Jon Chesto of The Boston Globe first reported. The funds will go toward improving infrastructure around the Charlestown neighborhood, which is expected to bear the brunt of the traffic and crowds coming to the stadium.
In addition, Boston will earn $1 per soccer ticket sold and 1.5% of concert ticket sales, for an estimated $2 million a year in ticket fees.
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The Kraft Group will also make $13 million in community mitigation improvements to Sullivan Square in Charlestown, which is expected to help ease congestion and improve access to the stadium site.
For Everett, the Kraft Group struck a “similar but separate” deal, according to Chesto, estimated to be worth more than $90 million over a 20-year period for infrastructure investments, and other community benefits. Like Boston, Everett will also receive $2.25 for every ticket sold at the stadium. Both cities’ surcharges would be adjusted for inflation, Chesto reported.
In a statement, the Kraft Group said the agreements would mark “an important milestone in our effort to transform a long‑neglected industrial site along the Mystic River into a vibrant, publicly accessible waterfront destination and the future home of the New England Revolution.”
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But some remain skeptical about the project’s environmental impact.
Advocates like Brad Campbell, CEO of the Conservation Law Foundation, told GBH the infrastructure needs around Sullivan Square will be “huge” and that the state needs to do more to offset the effects of the stadium on local residents and commuters.
“We need to make sure that those benefits aren’t outweighed by deterioration of air quality and even more misery for commuters and motorists traversing the Sullivan Square area,” Campbell told GBH News.
We want to hear from you: What do you think about the agreement between the Kraft Group, Boston, and Everett?
Are you concerned about the impact the stadium will have on traffic and public transit? Do you think the compensation for both cities is enough to address the potential issues? And how do you feel this project might affect your neighborhood or commute?
Tell us by filling out the form or e-mailing us at [email protected], and your response may appear in a future Boston.com article.
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