Have The Revolution Finally Found a Site for Their Stadium?

Mock up of Proposed Revolution Soccer Stadium. Photo courtesy of Kraft Group.

Even though they are an original member of Major League Soccer, from day one of the franchise in 1994, the New England Revolution have played little brother to the New England Patriots. The two teams share an ownership group (the Kraft Group) and have always shared a home stadium (first Foxboro Stadium, then Gillette Stadium). Playing second fiddle in an NFL stadium has never been an ideal solution for the Revs, and the Kraft Group has never been shy about their stated goal of finding an appropriate location to build a soccer specific stadium for their MLS franchise. Even so, the Revolution remained in Foxboro after 32 seasons. But that all may finally be changing.

The Kraft Group, owners of the New England Revolution, announced on Wednesday that they have reached an agreement with the city of Everett, Massachusetts to build a soccer stadium in the city.

Following agreements with the cities of Everett and Boston, a “long neglected” industrial site along the Mystic River will become the home of a proposed 25,000-seat soccer specific stadium. The new stadium will sit where a dormant power plant is now located, not far from the Encore Boston Harbor casino.

Many of the statements made by all sides involved in the agreement focused on the revitalization of the waterfront area.

"Under the agreements, we will undertake significant environmental remediation and demolition of the long vacant powerplant, invest in extensive traffic and transportation improvements, and deliver substantial community benefits, including millions of dollars towards infrastructure improvements," the Kraft Group said in a statement. "The project will open the waterfront with the creation of a new public park, strengthen pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, and enhance access to public transit." 

The agreement signals that previous objections from Boston city leaders have been overcome. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu criticized the Kraft Group in August over its handling of the stadium proposal. The facility will be located across the river from the Boston neighborhood of Charlestown. Wu argued at the time fans would travel through overly congested areas to get to the stadium, and that the Kraft Group's environmental mitigation package of $750,000 was too small.

Mayor Wu said in a statement "This stadium will enhance Boston's position as the sports and entertainment capital of New England while transforming a blighted site on our doorstep."

Current Power Plant on Banks of Mystic River in Everett. Photo courtesy of CBS Boston.

Outgoing Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria said "My vision for Everett has been for our city to have a vibrant waterfront with access for our residents, new clean industries that bring our residents construction and long-term job opportunities, improved public transit options, and new revenue sources to support city services."

In a statement, Everett Mayor-Elect Robert Van Campen said the agreement marks an important milestone for the project. "While this agreement is not the final step, Everett residents will continue to play a central role as this process moves forward. I look forward to working with city partners, community members, and the Kraft Group as the project moves through the review and permitting process." 

As part of the agreement, the City of Boston will receive $48 million in subsidies over a 15-year period to help with infrastructure improvements focused on the neighborhood of Charlestown (which connects to the proposed stadium site in Everett). Everett’s agreement calls for the city to receive $20 million for the building of a park along the shores of the Mystic River adjacent to the stadium. The city will also receive $17.5 million to expand infrastructure at the Orange Line stop at Assembly. The eventual goal is to build a pedestrian bridge from the Assembly stop across the Mystic River to the stadium.

Speaking of goals, the Revs have long stated that their goal is to find a home of their own.

That goal may finally be realized.

Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.