New England Revolution Stadium | 173 Alford Street | Boston-Everett

[Gunner02]

The proposed stadium is not in Boston, so I don't see how Boston can veto it. Yes, the boundary is close by, and traffic from the stadium would impact Boston, but the bottom line is, it's not in Boston.

I mean this location is perfect. The lobbyists from Encore are pushing for this without question, as well. Takes that monstrosity away and now guests don't have to look at that through their window. With their new sportsbook, it brings more sporting fans to the area. The urban planning should bring other pedestrians barring they don't eff that up. It's a win, win, win. The third win being politically even.

 

[Equilibria]

The proposed stadium is not in Boston, so I don't see how Boston can veto it. Yes, the boundary is close by, and traffic from the stadium would impact Boston, but the bottom line is, it's not in Boston.

Ah, but it is in Boston. Per the MOA, the parcel sits partially in both cities, and again, the Alford Street address is the giveaway, as the road's name changes in Everett.

Now, could Kraft fix this by splitting his parcel somehow and building only on the Everett side (as Wynn was able to finagle)? Maybe, but it would surely end up in litigation.

Bottom line: an MOA with Everett meant to grease the skids on the approval process in that city that explicitly mentions that the property crosses into another municipality left completely out of the negotiations (and in the dark about them) was a strange move from the get-go. Boston's reaction is entirely appropriate.

It's not a veto, it's a required approval. The BPDA has to approve this the same as it would if this were across the Mystic.

 

[whsurveyor]

Plan of the property (link will download a PDF): https://lcsurveyaccess.jud.state.ma.us/api/document/download/46752

Only a 50' - 100' strip along Alford Street is in Boston so the stadium would likely be entirely in Everett, not sure how that affects the approval process.

 

[Charlie_mta]

Ah, but it is in Boston. Per the MOA, the parcel sits partially in both cities, and again, the Alford Street address is the giveaway, as the road's name changes in Everett.

View attachment 44781

Now, could Kraft fix this by splitting his parcel somehow and building only on the Everett side (as Wynn was able to finagle)? Maybe, but it would surely end up in litigation.

Bottom line: an MOA with Everett meant to grease the skids on the approval process in that city that explicitly mentions that the property crosses into another municipality left completely out of the negotiations (and in the dark about them) was a strange move from the get-go. Boston's reaction is entirely appropriate.

It's not a veto, it's a required approval. The BPDA has to approve this the same as it would if this were across the Mystic.

I'm sure Boston will be all lawyered up with lawsuits in hand if Everett gets too pushy. A classic case of the staid blue blood Boston getting all huffy when an up and coming dynamic city like Everett tries to do something on its boundary with Boston. Everett looks to the future, while Boston tends to live in the past.

 

[stellarfun]

Plan of the property (link will download a PDF): https://lcsurveyaccess.jud.state.ma.us/api/document/download/46752

Only a 50' - 100' strip along Alford Street is in Boston so the stadium would likely be entirely in Everett, not sure how that affects the approval process.

The Memorandum of Agreement calls for several structures to be built on land that is within the city of Boston, most particularly the pedestrian walkway between the stadium and the Sullivan Square MBTA station. (The MOA rules out any fans parking near the proposed stadium in the Encore garages, or on the stadium site.) Putting aside whether the Orange Line can handle 25,000 fans one hour prior or one hour after a match, this pedestrian walkway will need to be permitted by the City of Boston, or it doesn't get built (unless they choose a different station and a pedestrian route entirely within Everett). No walkway, no access., no spectators.

The other structure is a riverwalk that goes beneath the Alford St. Bridge, connecting the stadium side with the Encore side of Alford St.

 

[ritchiew]

Plan of the property (link will download a PDF): https://lcsurveyaccess.jud.state.ma.us/api/document/download/46752

Only a 50' - 100' strip along Alford Street is in Boston so the stadium would likely be entirely in Everett, not sure how that affects the approval process.

That 50'-100' strip that is in Boston contains buildings that would need to be demolished. And it contains parts of electrical substations that need to removed and require a pretty major environmental clean up. That's the kind of of equipment that was likely leaking PCBs into the ground for decades, just for starters. Plus the MOA requires pedestrian improvements to Sullivan Square and a waterfront path under the Alford Bridge, all of which is entirely within Boston.

I'd also be curious if anyone knows how the approval process works in the normal case when a development spans city borders. There are surely some straightforward rules for this. But for a really big project like this, with really high stakes, this will entirely be a political and legal fight. Which makes it kind of confusing why they didn't include Boston in these negotiations. I guess Kraft thinks he can get things rolling in Everett and the State House and bypass Boston completely. But just the environmental cleanup aspect seems like it would give Boston enough leverage to delay or even sabotage the project at any time.

 

[stellarfun]

IMO, the MOA is replete with examples of Everett nickel and diming the Kraft organization. For example, allowing Everett youth soccer leagues to use the field, as well as the high school marching band (for practice). Free tickets for regular season games to be doled out to Everett residents. (Who decides who gets a ticket, the Mayor?) Purchase a hydroponic shipping container farm (AKA Freight Farms) to be located at a site of the city's choosing.

The magnanimity of Everett is also on display in the MOA: $750,000 for athletic fields in Charlestown. Was this generosity discussed with the city of Boston?

 

[Arlington]

FWIW, this thread title now describes Alford St site as being in "Boston-Everett" I think we'll all be better off keeping in mind that Boston controls the streetfrontage.

 

[stellarfun]

That 50'-100' strip that is in Boston contains buildings that would need to be demolished. And it contains parts of electrical substations that need to removed and require a pretty major environmental clean up. That's the kind of of equipment that was likely leaking PCBs into the ground for decades, just for starters. Plus the MOA requires pedestrian improvements to Sullivan Square and a waterfront path under the Alford Bridge, all of which is entirely within Boston.

I'd also be curious if anyone knows how the approval process works in the normal case when a development spans city borders. There are surely some straightforward rules for this. But for a really big project like this, with really high stakes, this will entirely be a political and legal fight. Which makes it kind of confusing why they didn't include Boston in these negotiations. I guess Kraft thinks he can get things rolling in Everett and the State House and bypass Boston completely. But just the environmental cleanup aspect seems like it would give Boston enough leverage to delay or even sabotage the project at any time.

Clean-up of a contaminated site is typically the responsibility of the property owner. If the property is sold to the Krafts, 'As is', then the Krafts assume the responsibility. It appears that the land will be capped, and not excavated for the stadium. By capping the contaminated site with additional fill, they will elevate the stadium site and thus greatly reduce the risk of future flooding because of sea level rise and higher storm surges.

IMO, it was stupid of both the city of Everett and the Krafts either (1) not bringing the city of Boston into the discussions with respect to the particulars of this memorandum, or (2) in the signed memorandum. include a paragraph acknowledging that a future memorandum with the city of Boston as a signatory will be required. Rather strangely, the signed memorandum explicitly states that a separate memorandum is needed between the city of Everett and Encore. This memorandum would preclude soccer fans from parking in Encore's garages.

 

[ritchiew]

Purchase a hydroponic shipping container farm (AKA Freight Farms) to be located at a site of the city's choosing.

This requirement is really funny. This a multibillion dollar project on precious waterfront that will require massive cleanups and infrastructure improvements, and Everett wants one (1) shipping container full of plants. I'd love to know the chain of events that lead to that clause. It's one of the funnier parts of the MOA, except there's also:

$750,000 for athletic fields in Charlestown

The MOA specifically says they must donate this money to "Charlestown." And I'm picturing someone cutting to check made out to "Charlestown," which hasn't been a legal entity since 1874. Obviously they mean donate that money to Boston, but I guess they wanted to be a little vague about that.

None of this is really substantive. Just funny

 

[Equilibria]

I'm sure Boston will be all lawyered up with lawsuits in hand if Everett gets too pushy. A classic case of the staid blue blood Boston getting all huffy when an up and coming dynamic city like Everett tries to do something on its boundary with Boston. Everett looks to the future, while Boston tends to live in the past.

There is no evidence of this. The Mayor of Boston saw a "dynamic" neighbor city (governed by a corrupt mayor who knowingly let a sexual harasser run his school system) negotiate a secret agreement over community benefits of development on a property that partially sits within the City of Boston. This simple fact of geography entitles Boston to equal oversight, equal approval rights, and theoretically equal benefits, and both the Krafts and Everett know that perfectly well.

Furthermore, while Everett will enjoy the lion's share of the tax benefits, since the property lies mostly within it, Boston will get stuck with the bill, since access to the site runs almost exclusively from Sullivan Square. The traffic load, whether ped/bike/transit as currently envisioned, or vehicular as it could easily evolve to become, will basically never touch Everett. The BPDA is in the final stages of Plan: Charlestown, which envisions an urban revitalization of Sullivan Square, and has designs on rebuilding and calming Rutherford Avenue, all of which could be impacted by a soccer stadium nearby. So, in addition to having every legal right to exercise oversight on the proposal (which, again, cannot be built without a full design review by the City of Boston in any case), I'd argue the City of Boston has even more right to review the project than Everett does.

I have a hard time seeing how Boston is "stuck in the past", given that it has played host to two prior possible Revolution sites, one of which (Bayside Expo) would probably have happened had the BTU been willing to sell their property to Kraft for what he was offering them. Incidentally, that site is now being proposed (however realistic one finds it) to be developed into a vibrant urban neighborhood with housing and jobs, while Everett's Lower Broadway district has been turned over to billionaires to build cloistered palaces of vice. There are many exciting things going on in Everett and I appreciate that the City has been willing to do more than its share to address the housing crisis and break ground in bus priority, among other things, but Boston is doing those same things under Wu. I don't love everything about her, but I certainly wouldn't describe her as "living in the past".

That 50'-100' strip that is in Boston contains buildings that would need to be demolished. And it contains parts of electrical substations that need to removed and require a pretty major environmental clean up. That's the kind of of equipment that was likely leaking PCBs into the ground for decades, just for starters. Plus the MOA requires pedestrian improvements to Sullivan Square and a waterfront path under the Alford Bridge, all of which is entirely within Boston.

I'd also be curious if anyone knows how the approval process works in the normal case when a development spans city borders. There are surely some straightforward rules for this. But for a really big project like this, with really high stakes, this will entirely be a political and legal fight. Which makes it kind of confusing why they didn't include Boston in these negotiations. I guess Kraft thinks he can get things rolling in Everett and the State House and bypass Boston completely. But just the environmental cleanup aspect seems like it would give Boston enough leverage to delay or even sabotage the project at any time.

I said I thought a legal fight was possible, not that it was probable. Dual (not dueling) reviews of projects happen all the time. Several of the buildings at Cambridge Crossing have the city line running through them and design review occured through both Cambridge and Somerville, or Cambridge and Boston.

I don't think Kraft thinks he can bypass Boston. It's possible that he leaked the agreement to pressure Wu, but it's also possible that either he or Everett leaked it to pressue the Legislature when that got unexpectedly difficult, and Kraft had originally hoped to start negotiating a similar agreement with Boston behind closed doors. It could also be that Kraft (who isn't handling this personally and isn't at the top of his game anymore) has someone without much finesse handling this particular negotiation. All speculation, but the Revs would have to be idiots to think they could "bypass" Boston. Again: this project must go through full BPDA review - there has never been any chance it wouldn't.

 

[Charlie_mta]

There is no evidence of this. The Mayor of Boston saw a "dynamic" neighbor city (governed by a corrupt mayor who knowingly let a sexual harasser run his school system) negotiate a secret agreement over community benefits of development on a property that partially sits within the City of Boston. This simple fact of geography entitles Boston to equal oversight, equal approval rights, and theoretically equal benefits, and both the Krafts and Everett know that perfectly well.

Furthermore, while Everett will enjoy the lion's share of the tax benefits, since the property lies mostly within it, Boston will get stuck with the bill, since access to the site runs almost exclusively from Sullivan Square. The traffic load, whether ped/bike/transit as currently envisioned, or vehicular as it could easily evolve to become, will basically never touch Everett. The BPDA is in the final stages of Plan: Charlestown, which envisions an urban revitalization of Sullivan Square, and has designs on rebuilding and calming Rutherford Avenue, all of which could be impacted by a soccer stadium nearby. So, in addition to having every legal right to exercise oversight on the proposal (which, again, cannot be built without a full design review by the City of Boston in any case), I'd argue the City of Boston has even more right to review the project than Everett does.

I have a hard time seeing how Boston is "stuck in the past", given that it has played host to two prior possible Revolution sites, one of which (Bayside Expo) would probably have happened had the BTU been willing to sell their property to Kraft for what he was offering them. Incidentally, that site is now being proposed (however realistic one finds it) to be developed into a vibrant urban neighborhood with housing and jobs, while Everett's Lower Broadway district has been turned over to billionaires to build cloistered palaces of vice. There are many exciting things going on in Everett and I appreciate that the City has been willing to do more than its share to address the housing crisis and break ground in bus priority, among other things, but Boston is doing those same things under Wu. I don't love everything about her, but I certainly wouldn't describe her as "living in the past".



I said I thought a legal fight was possible, not that it was probable. Dual (not dueling) reviews of projects happen all the time. Several of the buildings at Cambridge Crossing have the city line running through them and design review occured through both Cambridge and Somerville, or Cambridge and Boston.

I don't think Kraft thinks he can bypass Boston. It's possible that he leaked the agreement to pressure Wu, but it's also possible that either he or Everett leaked it to pressue the Legislature when that got unexpectedly difficult, and Kraft had originally hoped to start negotiating a similar agreement with Boston behind closed doors. It could also be that Kraft (who isn't handling this personally and isn't at the top of his game anymore) has someone without much finesse handling this particular negotiation. All speculation, but the Revs would have to be idiots to think they could "bypass" Boston. Again: this project must go through full BPDA review - there has never been any chance it wouldn't.

Yes, Boston does have the right to require permission for the stadium development due to the 50-100 ft strip along Alford St within the city of Boston. And yes, Everett is aggressive in its pursuit of development, and the casino is not the ideal type of development. However I do applaud and very much admire Everett for pushing ahead transformation of vast tracts of brownfield industrial wasteland with new development. Everett is progressive and dynamic in my book because of its commitment to residential development as well as the casino and the stadium. Yes, it is a messy process, the Everett city government is probably not squeeky clean, but by God, they're getting things done. And in the Boston metro area, that alone is a minor miracle.

 

[kingofsheeba]

Yes, Boston does have the right to require permission for the stadium development due to the 50-100 ft strip along Alford St within the city of Boston. And yes, Everett is aggressive in its pursuit of development, and the casino is not the ideal type of development. However I do applaud and very much admire Everett for pushing ahead transformation of vast tracts of brownfield industrial wasteland with new development. Everett is progressive and dynamic in my book because of its commitment to residential development as well as the casino and the stadium. Yes, it is a messy process, the Everett city government is probably not squeeky clean, but by God, they're getting things done. And in the Boston metro area, that alone is a minor miracle.

Well said Charlie…

Me thinks that this is going to be built. But not before a Civil War breaks out on this board.

 

[dshoost88]

Purchase a hydroponic shipping container farm (AKA Freight Farms) to be located at a site of the city's choosing.

This requirement is really funny. This a multibillion dollar project on precious waterfront that will require massive cleanups and infrastructure improvements, and Everett wants one (1) shipping container full of plants. I'd love to know the chain of events that lead to that clause. It's one of the funnier parts of the MOA...

None of this is really substantive. Just funny

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that you didn't know that City of Everett is a Massachusetts Gateway City.

Gateway cities have a population between 35k-250k, an average household income below the state average, and an average educational attainment (bachelor's degree or above) below the state average, among other characteristics. This means that a higher rate of Gateway City residents (including in Everett) may fall below the poverty line and/or depend on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for food. Because the City of Everett does not currently have a single supermarket within its borders*, large swaths of the city are considered a food desert and many residents, therefore, lack access to affordable fresh fruits and vegetables that they can use their SNAP benefits to purchase. (*Gateway Center's 'Target' on the southern edge of city limit technically has a grocery store, but its limited transit access to majority car-less Everett households mean it's out of reach to residents that would benefit most from supermarket access. Chelsea's Market Basket is similarly on a city border, but still out of reach for many residents that need it. And Chelsea Stop & Shop just closed, so... shit)

Fortunately there is a community-based food justice organization--Everett Community Growers--whose mission is 'to improve health and racial equity through urban agriculture, youth workforce development, and equitable policy change... that everyone in Everett should have access to healthy, affordable, culturally-appropriate food. They operate two community gardens, two community farms, and a farmstand. They are the only vendor in Everett to accept the state’s Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) which doubles residents’ SNAP dollars. And they also conduct community outreach, engagement and policy advocacy centered on racial, economic, and environmental justice.'

As someone who's supported and purchased from the Everett Community Growers, I want to take a moment to acknowledge how fucking incredible their work and other community grower organizations' work is to strengthening community, enhancing our cities' natural environments, and improving public health outcomes. If there's a destination in every community I've admired around the world--a place that captures what makes their culture distinctive--it's the local farmer's market. Community Growers fulfill that goal.

While Everett's blessed with an active Community Growers organization for many months of the year, it is unfortunately burdened with New England winters and its farms do not produce for much of the year due to these elements. Also consequently, this means that many low-income residents that leverage SNAP/HIP benefits for locally-grown food access much of the year are quite literally left out in the cold when there's no place locally able to produce/sell to them. Climate-controlled freight farms and vertical farms, on the other hand, can grow multiple yields year round, including during the harsh winters. With this context, I hope you can appreciate why a hydroponic shipping container farm would be of such importance to a community that they'd write it into an MOA. It is an infrastructure improvement. And as long as deep-pocketed investors have a seat at the table and are keen to be good neighbors, it is a thoughtful commitment to have agreed to. Not a funny one.

 

[Charlie_mta]

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that you didn't know that City of Everett is a Massachusetts Gateway City.

Gateway cities have a population between 35k-250k, an average household income below the state average, and an average educational attainment (bachelor's degree or above) below the state average, among other characteristics. This means that a higher rate of Gateway City residents (including in Everett) may fall below the poverty line and/or depend on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for food. Because the City of Everett does not currently have a single supermarket within its borders*, large swaths of the city are considered a food desert and many residents, therefore, lack access to affordable fresh fruits and vegetables that they can use their SNAP benefits to purchase. (*Gateway Center's 'Target' on the southern edge of city limit technically has a grocery store, but its limited transit access to majority car-less Everett households mean it's out of reach to residents that would benefit most from supermarket access. Chelsea's Market Basket is similarly on a city border, but still out of reach for many residents that need it. And Chelsea Stop & Shop just closed, so... shit)

Fortunately there is a community-based food justice organization--Everett Community Growers--whose mission is 'to improve health and racial equity through urban agriculture, youth workforce development, and equitable policy change... that everyone in Everett should have access to healthy, affordable, culturally-appropriate food. They operate two community gardens, two community farms, and a farmstand. They are the only vendor in Everett to accept the state’s Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) which doubles residents’ SNAP dollars. And they also conduct community outreach, engagement and policy advocacy centered on racial, economic, and environmental justice.'

As someone who's supported and purchased from the Everett Community Growers, I want to take a moment to acknowledge how fucking incredible their work and other community grower organizations' work is to strengthening community, enhancing our cities' natural environments, and improving public health outcomes. If there's a destination in every community I've admired around the world--a place that captures what makes this culture distinctive--it's the local farmer's market. Community Growers fulfill that goal.

While Everett's blessed with an active Community Growers organization for many months of the year, it is unfortunately burdened with New England winters and its farms do not produce for much of the year due to these elements. Also consequently, this means that many low-income residents that leverage SNAP/HIP benefits for locally-grown food access much of the year are quite literally left out in the cold when there's no place locally able to produce/sell to them. Climate-controlled freight farms and vertical farms, on the other hand, can grow multiple yields year round, including during the harsh winters. With this context, I hope you can appreciate why a hydroponic shipping container farm would be of such importance to a community that they'd write it into an MOA. It is an infrastructure improvement. And as long as deep-pocketed investinfo on Everett, dshoost. ors have a seat at the table and are keen to be good neighbors, it is a thoughtful commitment to have agreed to. Not a funny one.

Outstanding info on Everett, dshoost.
I look at the stadium, and yes, even the casino, as economic boosters and seed projects to trigger other development (residential and commercial) in Everett. In that sense the stadium is an economic justice initiative, and a big one. That's what fries me about Boston's hand wringing on this. An economically deprived community is being pushed around by its larger, much more wealthy neighbor. It does make me angry. But I think this will end well and the stadium will be built. Everett is persistent, a persistence that comes from being poor and hungry.

 

[Blackbird]

That's what fries me about Boston's hand wringing on this. An economically deprived community is being pushed around by its larger, much more wealthy neighbor.

I thought we’ve established at this point that the street address of the new stadium will be a Boston address, not an Everett one.

And Boston has a higher poverty rate than Everett. I agree that a city is being pushed around by a wealthier neighbor, but I think you have the roles reversed.

 

[JeffDowntown]

I thought we’ve established at this point that the street address of the new stadium will be a Boston address, not an Everett one.

And Boston has a higher poverty rate than Everett. I agree that a city is being pushed around by a wealthier neighbor, but I think you have the roles reversed.

You really cannot just throw out one statistic to compare the wealth of communities. (Well, you just did, but you probably shouldn't).

Boston has both a higher poverty rate and a higher median income and much higher average income than Everett. Basically Boston has more income inequality than Everett. And Boston has massively more wealth both due to the income inequality and huge size difference.

 

[Blackbird]

Boston has both a higher poverty rate and a higher median income and much higher average income than Everett. Basically Boston has more income inequality than Everett. And Boston has massively more wealth both due to the income inequality and huge size difference.

If we’re judging by total wealth, then Boston has more than Nantucket or Manchester-by-the-sea. Clearly that doesn’t reflect the actual situation in most of the city.

The point is that there’s more poverty in Boston than in Everett, both by percentage and by raw number if we really want to go there.

And if either city is being “taken advantage of” here, it’s Boston by Everett. Not vice versa.

 

[HenryAlan]

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that you didn't know that City of Everett is a Massachusetts Gateway City.

Gateway cities have a population between 35k-250k, an average household income below the state average, and an average educational attainment (bachelor's degree or above) below the state average, among other characteristics. This means that a higher rate of Gateway City residents (including in Everett) may fall below the poverty line and/or depend on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for food. Because the City of Everett does not currently have a single supermarket within its borders*, large swaths of the city are considered a food desert and many residents, therefore, lack access to affordable fresh fruits and vegetables that they can use their SNAP benefits to purchase. (*Gateway Center's 'Target' on the southern edge of city limit technically has a grocery store, but its limited transit access to majority car-less Everett households mean it's out of reach to residents that would benefit most from supermarket access. Chelsea's Market Basket is similarly on a city border, but still out of reach for many residents that need it. And Chelsea Stop & Shop just closed, so... shit)

Fortunately there is a community-based food justice organization--Everett Community Growers--whose mission is 'to improve health and racial equity through urban agriculture, youth workforce development, and equitable policy change... that everyone in Everett should have access to healthy, affordable, culturally-appropriate food. They operate two community gardens, two community farms, and a farmstand. They are the only vendor in Everett to accept the state’s Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) which doubles residents’ SNAP dollars. And they also conduct community outreach, engagement and policy advocacy centered on racial, economic, and environmental justice.'

As someone who's supported and purchased from the Everett Community Growers, I want to take a moment to acknowledge how fucking incredible their work and other community grower organizations' work is to strengthening community, enhancing our cities' natural environments, and improving public health outcomes. If there's a destination in every community I've admired around the world--a place that captures what makes this culture distinctive--it's the local farmer's market. Community Growers fulfill that goal.

While Everett's blessed with an active Community Growers organization for many months of the year, it is unfortunately burdened with New England winters and its farms do not produce for much of the year due to these elements. Also consequently, this means that many low-income residents that leverage SNAP/HIP benefits for locally-grown food access much of the year are quite literally left out in the cold when there's no place locally able to produce/sell to them. Climate-controlled freight farms and vertical farms, on the other hand, can grow multiple yields year round, including during the harsh winters. With this context, I hope you can appreciate why a hydroponic shipping container farm would be of such importance to a community that they'd write it into an MOA. It is an infrastructure improvement. And as long as deep-pocketed investors have a seat at the table and are keen to be good neighbors, it is a thoughtful commitment to have agreed to. Not a funny one.

Thanks for the great information about Everett Community Growers. I do think you maybe were a bit overly sensitive, though, regarding @ritchiew's comment. I took the word funny to mean unusual, and yes, it is unusual. As you've well illustrated, it is also logical for this particular MOA. I have a particular interest in freight farms, because there is one at Boston Latin School, and two of my kids spent some time volunteering at it. My oldest is now studying urban agriculture as an adjunct to education, largely due to that experience. It's exciting to see Everett making these connections! What I wondered when I saw that clause, though, was why just one? The Kraft's should be able to provide several freight farm containers. One is just enough for demonstration purposes, but not enough to make a fundamental change in food access to a community of Everett's size.

 

[Vagabond]

I'm a little worried about which design direction they'll go for here. With Encore across the street, I'm imagining they'll go faux-chic - lots of curvy bronze glass - like what's being designed out in Reno at the Grand Sierra Resort.

What I'd LOVE is if they focused on keeping the "Powerplant" vibe. I remember a trip back in 2007(?) when LucasOil stadium was being built - I always really liked the industrial design - especially with the massive steel structure - and just wished it wasn't stuck in the middle of a field of parking lots. A industrial-masonry specific design would be amazing here.

Or use the powerplant structure to frame the stands like a mini-Notre Dame

Or even better - something with a little flair like the Arenas de Barcelona