Potential Exelon Mystic Station Redevelopment | Everett

[JeffDowntown]

^^^From the Globe, March 2023

^^^ Rendering of the planned new stadium, from the NE Revolution. April 2024.

It appears that the substation and associated switch gear (in the open air) running northward along the east side of Alford St. remain in near-perpetuity. It appears that switch gear will also remain at the north section of the site. Thus, the land purchased by the Krafts is subject to easements reserved for Eversource allowing Eversource to continue using a significant portion of the site for the transmission of electricity..

These easements result in the stadium footprint being displaced toward the east. If the chimneys were to remain, they'd be standing in the pitch.

The new North American variant of soccer -- chimney hazard bank-shot soccer.

 

[Stlin]

Just for reference and because they were a pain to dig out of the registry of deeds, the existing current condition site plans. As far as I can tell these are the most recent plans available, but they don't all show everything or even the same parcel boundaries, so bear with me.

This plan shows nothing except the parcels - unless I'm mistaken what Wynn acquired in 2023 appears to be the bit labeled "Existing Mystic Station Parcel."

This plan shows the 2023 acquisition boundaries as the thicker black lines on the periphery, with the existing plant and built environment included. Also has the new utility easements granted to Constellation as they're retaining units 8&9.

These plan shows, as far as the 2020 one is concerned, the lastest state of Eversource easements on the site, but isn't particularly clear - the 2015 plan has more prominent easement boundaries, but inaccurate property parcel.

Cautiously, having added up the easement areas listed, I've come up with ~600k sq ft of just Eversource easements, occupying ~14 acres of a ~43 acre site.

 

[RandomWalk]

Is there a timeline for the availability of the Mystic 8/9 parcel?

 

[stellarfun]

The easements appear to cover (1) all the electrical equipment on the northern section of the site, bounded on the south where the ductwork half-circles the containment wall for the large fuel tank, and (2) the electrical equipment along the east side of Alford St., the ductwork and probably the 'overhead lines', and including the substation / small red brick building with the white roof. The

The two cream-colored oil tanks, lower right, are within the stadium site, but the stadium site ends at/near their containment walls. The small white tanks and white-roofed buildings at top center of the image are outside the site boundaries.

 

[Nyeuthi]

I, a car-less Boston metro resident, will be buying season tickets once available. I played college soccer and all my teammates - and those who I met along the way - who are still in the area have said the same. Domestic and international fans who rent or live in the MBTA's reach want this. They want the feel of being able to promenade to the stadium after gathering at the local boozer, pub, or eatery. The feeling of riding public transit towards the stadium, with a host of other random citizens all wearing the same colors and badge. It's the electricity that's missing in a car --> parking lot atmosphere...Very similar to Boston's citizens, and those visiting, going to a Red Sox game.

In addition, large futbol sponsors in the region have been signing up serious global talent (i.e. New Balance's sponsorship of Brazil's wonderkid, Endirck)...as mentioned by others, the activity the stadium brings will bring a spotlight to the area (and team!), and hopefully additional economic activity from these sponsors & other new ones.

I fall soundly among the fan base that would attend multiple games in this stadium. I currently live out of state but visit multiple times and almost always attend a game in one of the various Boston area pro sport locations. I'd 100% visit the Revs if they were based within the Boston city limits. Driving down to Foxboro was a royal pain and a lot of the attendance is constrained due to lack of high occupancy public transit options. Boston, in my opinion, hosted the best NBC EPL fan fest a few years ago, and that fandom has been HUNGRY for a stadium to be built close to them. Disingenuous parties like Don Law, cabals like is CLF et. al and lovers of tumescent smoke stacks (shout out to The Ipswich thread for that word) should not be allowed to scuttle this golden opportunity.

I agree with @samsongam , it would be inconceivable for this stadium not to incorporate an opening or at least a viewpoint that frames the bunker hill monument and/or the downtown skyline. Most stadiums in the EPL grew organically with sections added over the years as attendance increased. So if not 30k+ capacity at the beginning, then the stadium should be engineered to account for future growth. I wonder if a minor cantilever over the Mystic would be out of the question?

 

[dshoost88]

...

I agree with @samsongam , it would be inconceivable for this stadium not to incorporate an opening or at least a viewpoint that frames the bunker hill monument and/or the downtown skyline. Most stadiums in the EPL grew organically with sections added over the years as attendance increased. So if not 30k+ capacity at the beginning, then the stadium should be engineered to account for future growth. I wonder if a minor cantilever over the Mystic would be out of the question?

Yeah, that would be a pretty sick view.

 

[ritchiew]

….which is why concert promoter Don Law, through his wife Sara Molyneux- chair of the CLF - is the puppeteer behind Mayor Wu opposing the soccer stadium.

Could you point me to any info on Mayor Wu opposing the stadium?

 

[Scott]

The same CFL that made this project viable in the first place? Tell me more...

 

[stellarfun]

I fall soundly among the fan base that would attend multiple games in this stadium. I currently live out of state but visit multiple times and almost always attend a game in one of the various Boston area pro sport locations. I'd 100% visit the Revs if they were based within the Boston city limits. Driving down to Foxboro was a royal pain and a lot of the attendance is constrained due to lack of high occupancy public transit options. Boston, in my opinion, hosted the best NBC EPL fan fest a few years ago, and that fandom has been HUNGRY for a stadium to be built close to them. Disingenuous parties like Don Law, cabals like is CLF et. al and lovers of tumescent smoke stacks (shout out to The Ipswich thread for that word) should not be allowed to scuttle this golden opportunity.

I agree with @samsongam , it would be inconceivable for this stadium not to incorporate an opening or at least a viewpoint that frames the bunker hill monument and/or the downtown skyline. Most stadiums in the EPL grew organically with sections added over the years as attendance increased. So if not 30k+ capacity at the beginning, then the stadium should be engineered to account for future growth. I wonder if a minor cantilever over the Mystic would be out of the question?

If Kraft was interested in providing for future attendance growth, he would do a land swap with the MBTA. Move their garage north of Encore to the south, to the former Eversource parcel, and build a stadium on the MBTA parcel, and also throw in the Honda dealership next to the garage.

The plan apparently is to cap the Mystic plant site rather than trying to mitigate decades of contamination. This elevates the stadium, and supports the construction of the flood protection berm. There is no minor cantilever to and over the Mystic River. From the rendering, the south façade of the stadium is 120+ feet from the river. The stadium's south façade aligns with the north wall of the red brick substation building.

 

[shmessy]

Could you point me to any info on Mayor Wu opposing the stadium?

You're technically right - - not by definition "opposing". And I agree, she should be brought into the discussion, it's a moment to big fix Charlestown, etc. The White Stadium championing she is doing certainly could be threatened if that women's team ever prefers to play in a larger stadium with far more foot traffic - - so that could be a threat to the Mayor's prized proposal. Perhaps it's a coincidence.

https://www.politico.com/newsletters/massachusetts-playbook/2024/04/02/clearing-the-way-for-an-everett-soccer-stadium-00150086

Who's playing defense against the Everett soccer stadium bill?

A bill that would allow for the construction of a New England Revolution soccer stadium in Everett is getting a hearing Tuesday on Beacon Hill. But it faces some powerful critics. Here's why they're opposing the legislation.

www.wbur.org

The plan for a New England Revolution stadium in Everett has hit a speed bump — including concerns from Mayor Wu - The Boston Globe

After a measure to enable Revolution stadium in Everett was stalled on Beacon Hill, Boston wonders why it wasn’t part of the negotiations.

www.bostonglobe.com

Future unclear for proposed professional soccer stadium in Everett - Advocate News

Legislative budget compromise leaves out key zoning provision needed to move forward on 25,000 seat stadium near Encore

advocatenews.net

The CLF? That looks more "conflict of interest"y.

.

 

[Badusername]

If Kraft was interested in providing for future attendance growth, he would do a land swap with the MBTA. Move their garage north of Encore to the south, to the former Eversource parcel, and build a stadium on the MBTA parcel, and also throw in the Honda dealership next to the garage.

I think this idea would get strong opposition from Everett, since this stadium is viewed as a key element to the entertainment district they’re trying to build.

 

[ritchiew]

You're technically right - - not by definition "opposing". And I agree, she should be brought into the discussion, it's a moment to big fix Charlestown, etc. The White Stadium championing she is doing certainly could be threatened if that women's team ever prefers to play in a larger stadium with far more foot traffic - - so that could be a threat to the Mayor's prized proposal. Perhaps it's a coincidence.

https://www.politico.com/newsletters/massachusetts-playbook/2024/04/02/clearing-the-way-for-an-everett-soccer-stadium-00150086

Who's playing defense against the Everett soccer stadium bill?

A bill that would allow for the construction of a New England Revolution soccer stadium in Everett is getting a hearing Tuesday on Beacon Hill. But it faces some powerful critics. Here's why they're opposing the legislation.

www.wbur.org

The plan for a New England Revolution stadium in Everett has hit a speed bump — including concerns from Mayor Wu - The Boston Globe

After a measure to enable Revolution stadium in Everett was stalled on Beacon Hill, Boston wonders why it wasn’t part of the negotiations.

www.bostonglobe.com

Future unclear for proposed professional soccer stadium in Everett - Advocate News

Legislative budget compromise leaves out key zoning provision needed to move forward on 25,000 seat stadium near Encore

advocatenews.net

The CLF? That looks more "conflict of interest"y.

.

I don't understand. I'm "technically" correct? And Wu does not oppose the stadium if you consider the definition of "oppose"? And whatever you're trying to say about White Stadium, I don't follow, but it sounds like you're trying to keep implying she might oppose the Rev's stadium for some corrupt reasons, with no source.

All of the articles you link to say Wu wants Boston to be in the negotiations. None say she opposes the stadium. Anytime I've heard Boston officials talk about this, they stress that they're not opposing the stadium.

So I'll ask again: Has Mayor Wu, in word or deed, been opposing this new stadium? If so, could you provide a source, please?

 

[shmessy]

I don't understand. I'm "technically" correct? And Wu does not oppose the stadium if you consider the definition of "oppose"? And whatever you're trying to say about White Stadium, I don't follow, but it sounds like you're trying to keep implying she might oppose the Rev's stadium for some corrupt reasons, with no source.

All of the articles you link to say Wu wants Boston to be in the negotiations. None say she opposes the stadium. Anytime I've heard Boston officials talk about this, they stress that they're not opposing the stadium.

So I'll ask again: Has Mayor Wu, in word or deed, been opposing this new stadium? If so, could you provide a source, please?

She has not directly (technically) opposed the stadium. I was clear.

But her recent proposal for White Stadium (and partnership withNWSL team which would be a natural for the Everett Stadium) and her complaints due to her not being part of a process for a stadium that is in Everett certainly is aimed at delaying and being an obstacle for it.

She and the CLF have very publicly and loudly stated that they have ”concerns” and do not want this to be approved at this time.

The CLF has some very obvious conflicts of interest vis a vis Don Law. The Boston Globe is heavily pro-White Stadium vis a vis John Henry’s wife - part owner of the NWSL team. Mayor Wu obviously does not want another stadium that could potentially woo the NWSL team (which would shaft the White Stadium plan. It’s very clear that Kraft stadium would be a potentai suitor for the NWSL team and thus, a deal breaker for White Stadium.

So Wu is being passive aggressive re Kraft Stadium to protect her White Stadium plan. But, yes, she is being very careful not to definitvely use verbiage of “opposing” the Everett plan - lIke saying “People are asking questions…….”

I don’t know what you are arguing - - I agree with you that she has not definitively opposed the Everett stadium. She’s being far more careful/passive aggressive.

 

[ritchiew]

The CLF has some very obvious conflicts of interest vis a vis Don Law. The Boston Globe is heavily pro-White Stadium vis a vis John Henry’s wife - part owner of the NWSL team. Mayor Wu obviously does not want another stadium that could potentially woo the NWSL team (which would shaft the White Stadium plan. It’s very clear that Kraft stadium would be a potentai suitor for the NWSL team and thus, a deal breaker for White Stadium.

So Wu is being passive aggressive re Kraft Stadium to protect her White Stadium plan. But, yes, she is being very careful not to definitvely use verbiage of “opposing” the Everett plan - lIke saying “People are asking questions…….”

You're spinning some weird conspiracy theory to explain why Wu would oppose the Rev's stadium, but I still haven't seen one shred of evidence she is actually in opposition. She's not publicly blocking it. I haven't seen reports of her working behind the scenes to block it. There was a public hearing in the State House where Boston officials gave testimony and none said Boston is opposing this. The only thing they are saying is they want to be part of the conversation, which you yourself said seems reasonable. None of this, by any definition, sounds like Wu is opposing the stadium.

She and the CLF have very publicly and loudly stated that they have ”concerns” and do not want this to be approved at this time.

I know CLF has opposed the project, but I'm asking about Mayor Wu. Give me a source for where she, Mayor Wu, has "very publicly and loudly stated" that she does "not want this approved at this time."

 

[DZH22]

I know CLF has opposed the project, but I'm asking about Mayor Wu. Give me a source for where she, Mayor Wu, has "very publicly and loudly stated" that she does "not want this approved at this time."

This article partially bridges the gap. Not necessary "very loudly does not want this approved" but more that she has some concerns, raised them in the past, and they still haven't been addressed.

The Krafts’ road to an Everett soccer stadium for the Revolution goes through Boston — and Mayor Wu - The Boston Globe

It’s not time to blow the whistle on this game quite yet. Why not? The main road into Everett goes through Boston — and Mayor Michelle Wu.

www.bostonglobe.com

Some excerpts:
"But it’s not yet time to blow the whistle on this game. Why not? The main road into Everett goes through Boston — and Mayor Michelle Wu."

"The Sullivan Square rotary is already a mess. Wu wants that situation to improve — not worsen with game-day traffic."

"Back in the fall, after the Senate passed similar stadium legislation, Wu raised a red flag. Months later, her concerns still haven’t been addressed."

“The mayor has always hoped for a soccer stadium in Boston, but was never approached about a Revs stadium proposal throughout her entire time in elected office, including as a city councilor,” Wu spokesperson Emma Pettit said Thursday. “As with any major project, the impacts depend entirely on the details, and there have been no publicly or privately shared details about this proposal, which includes Boston land in the parcel and would likely create more significant impact on Boston’s neighborhoods than Everett’s with primary access suggested to be through Sullivan Square.”

Finally, the bold on this last quote is from me:
"Two of the three most powerful leaders in the House — Ways and Means chairperson Aaron Michlewitz and Majority Leader Mike Moran — hail from Boston, and are political allies of Boston’s mayor. So while the stadium language sailed through the Senate again, it’s not in the House’s version of the economic development bill. The differences between these two bills must be hashed out in closed-door negotiations. With a July 31 deadline looming, there isn’t much time."

EDIT - The article is from 8 days ago. Did the House's version change?
EDIT again - I see shmessy was out in force on that comment section, calling people liars and whatnot.

 

[HenryAlan]

She has not directly (technically) opposed the stadium. I was clear.

But her recent proposal for White Stadium (and partnership withNWSL team which would be a natural for the Everett Stadium) and her complaints due to her not being part of a process for a stadium that is in Everett certainly is aimed at delaying and being an obstacle for it.

This is a lot of verbiage to say you can't back your claim at all, despite the obvious smoke and mirror misdirections about White Stadium, the Globe, and CLF. I support the Everett soccer stadium and also completely agree with the Mayor that Boston should have a spot at the table and a share of the spoils. That's not obstruction that's demanding a fair process, one that the Krafts should be able to manage. As for the rest, I've seen more credible conspiracies from the Q-Anon folks.

 

[kingofsheeba]

She has not directly (technically) opposed the stadium. I was clear.

But her recent proposal for White Stadium (and partnership withNWSL team which would be a natural for the Everett Stadium) and her complaints due to her not being part of a process for a stadium that is in Everett certainly is aimed at delaying and being an obstacle for it.

She and the CLF have very publicly and loudly stated that they have ”concerns” and do not want this to be approved at this time.

The CLF has some very obvious conflicts of interest vis a vis Don Law. The Boston Globe is heavily pro-White Stadium vis a vis John Henry’s wife - part owner of the NWSL team. Mayor Wu obviously does not want another stadium that could potentially woo the NWSL team (which would shaft the White Stadium plan. It’s very clear that Kraft stadium would be a potentai suitor for the NWSL team and thus, a deal breaker for White Stadium.

So Wu is being passive aggressive re Kraft Stadium to protect her White Stadium plan. But, yes, she is being very careful not to definitvely use verbiage of “opposing” the Everett plan - lIke saying “People are asking questions…….”

I don’t know what you are arguing - - I agree with you that she has not definitively opposed the Everett stadium. She’s being far more careful/passive aggressive.

My sense is that she
a) has either evolved on the stadium issue.
b) she has taken a step back in this argument.

I don’t know if she’s fully evolved on this, and I certainly don’t think she’s ever for something like a Revs (personally). With that said, she probably wants to look less like a hypocrite with her support of the White Stadium. If she’s going to put her political legacy on the line for NSWL, she knows that she has to calm down on the Revs. Which is probably tough for her, because I think that blocking that stadium was going to propel her to Boston infamy.

What probably did her in was when she posed with that soccer ball for that photo op with the NWSL president. I think she thought that people would welcome the NWSL because of its mission to motivate girls into playing soccer, while making a stand for women’s rights. She also probably anticipated the public embracing the White Stadium proposal while going full-NIMBY on the Revs. What she probably didn’t anticipate was the amount of stick-in-the-mud NIMBYS who are going after her with fire and fury over White Stadium. At the end of the day, she probably realized that you can’t reason with these people and finally took a step back.

Eventually, the people will get sick and tired of the NIMBY-purity spirals. People are already standing up to the Boston NIMBYS and its fan to watch them meltdown when presented with facts. Wu probably saw all of this unfold online and was like “nope.”

 

[ritchiew]

This article partially bridges the gap. Not necessary "very loudly does not want this approved" but more that she has some concerns, raised them in the past, and they still haven't been addressed.

The Krafts’ road to an Everett soccer stadium for the Revolution goes through Boston — and Mayor Wu - The Boston Globe

It’s not time to blow the whistle on this game quite yet. Why not? The main road into Everett goes through Boston — and Mayor Michelle Wu.

www.bostonglobe.com

Some excerpts:
"But it’s not yet time to blow the whistle on this game. Why not? The main road into Everett goes through Boston — and Mayor Michelle Wu."

"The Sullivan Square rotary is already a mess. Wu wants that situation to improve — not worsen with game-day traffic."

"Back in the fall, after the Senate passed similar stadium legislation, Wu raised a red flag. Months later, her concerns still haven’t been addressed."

“The mayor has always hoped for a soccer stadium in Boston, but was never approached about a Revs stadium proposal throughout her entire time in elected office, including as a city councilor,” Wu spokesperson Emma Pettit said Thursday. “As with any major project, the impacts depend entirely on the details, and there have been no publicly or privately shared details about this proposal, which includes Boston land in the parcel and would likely create more significant impact on Boston’s neighborhoods than Everett’s with primary access suggested to be through Sullivan Square.”

Finally, the bold on this last quote is from me:
"Two of the three most powerful leaders in the House — Ways and Means chairperson Aaron Michlewitz and Majority Leader Mike Moran — hail from Boston, and are political allies of Boston’s mayor. So while the stadium language sailed through the Senate again, it’s not in the House’s version of the economic development bill. The differences between these two bills must be hashed out in closed-door negotiations. With a July 31 deadline looming, there isn’t much time."

EDIT - The article is from 8 days ago. Did the House's version change?
EDIT again - I see shmessy was out in force on that comment section, calling people liars and whatnot.

Thanks for that. But that whole article seems to be trying to hint at this narrative that Wu is blocking things, but never points to her actually doing anything. If this reporter had sources telling them that Wu or Boston was working behind the scenes to kill this part of the bill, they would say that clearly. It would be in the opening paragraph. It would be in the title, like "Wu Pushes to Block Stadium." It doesn't say that. It says she continues to have concerns, which everyone seems to agree is basically reasonable, even if you still think the project should move forward.

Your bolded section says the stadium language wasn't in the House bill, but again, it doesn't specifically say Wu had anything to do with that. It's just the vague conspiratorial hand waving that she has allies in the House so... you know. But really, it could have been left out of the House bill for all kinds of reasons. Off the top of my head: (1) it maybe got nixed under pressure from the orgs that very publicly oppose the new stadium. For example, TD Garden is in Michlewitz's district and he's said he's been hearing from them (2) Beacon Hill famously write bills in a last minute scramble and things can just get dropped, or (3) the House was maybe just planning to handle this in another bill. Last year it was maybe going to be stuck in a budgeting bill in November. There was talk it could get a standalone bill (but my impression is that would be unlikely). Either way, no one batted an eye last month when the stadium language wasn't in the House bill, because no one seemed to think it needed to be there.

I'm not endorsing any of those theories. I don't know what happened. I'm not even saying Wu definitely, definitely wasn't involved. But if anyone wants to make specific claims, I'd like to know what the facts are that back that up.

And honestly, my standards for evidence here are pretty low. I'll listen to any third-hand State House gossip that Wu is trying to block the stadium. I'll take it with a grain of salt, but that would be better evidence than anything I've seen here so far.

Also:

EDIT again - I see shmessy was out in force on that comment section, calling people liars and whatnot.

lol
<after reading the comments>
LOL!

 

[shmessy]

........
EDIT again - I see shmessy was out in force on that comment section, calling people liars and whatnot.

"Emma Pettit (Wu's spokesperson) in the article:
".....“As with any major project, the impacts depend entirely on the details, and there have been no publicly or privately shared details about this proposal....."
Emma Pettit IS A LIAR. By definition. Clearly.
There is already a full slate of details ....and a freaking rendering of the stadium on this very page!!!!!!
Once again, by definition - - Emma Pettit is a LIAR."
-------------------------


Absolutely! The very definition is correct. The bolded quote by her is a clear lie. Do you want to call it an "alternative fact"? It is what it is.

Here's a "detail" from the article:

".........The result: a community benefits agreement with the Krafts that included parkland, affordable-housing funds, and tight limits on parking. (CLF, in the end, did not sign on.)...."

Here's 7 pages of those details: (I'll even give a synopsis, for those not wanting to actually read it - like Emma Pettit, evidently)
-there's a 15 point DETAILED list of community benefits paid by Kraft for this stadium on pages 2-3).
-there's a 6 point DETAILED list of environmental/climate benefits paid by Kraft for this stadium on page 4
-there's a 10 point DETAILED list of miscellaneous provisions on pages 5-6

https://htv-prod-media.s3.amazonaws.com/files/memorandum-of-agreement-nrs-signed-6553b8856284f.pdf

Here's the current render with location placement from the article:

So yes, Mayor Wu's spokesperson is 100% public lying in that statement.

It is what it is.

.

 

[ritchiew]

"Emma Pettit (Wu's spokesperson) in the article:
".....“As with any major project, the impacts depend entirely on the details, and there have been no publicly or privately shared details about this proposal....."
Emma Pettit IS A LIAR. By definition. Clearly.
There is already a full slate of details ....and a freaking rendering of the stadium on this very page!!!!!!
Once again, by definition - - Emma Pettit is a LIAR."

The very definition is correct. The bold in that quote by her is a objectively a lie. Do you want to call it an "alternative fact"? It is what it is.

"Renders" are not "details." They are non-binding artistic impressions of what a stadium might look like. Boston is hoping to get the details that are actually relevant for them.
Boston's main concern, which they have said over and over, is transportation for 25,000 people getting in and out of the stadium. Specifically, they care about traffic and pedestrian safety for maybe tens of thousands of people suddenly going through the Alford Bridge and Sullivan Square, which are especially bad areas for pedestrians already. Boston wants to know what the plan is. That plan would affect Boston's in-progress road redesign in the area; the number busses needed; what the bus capacity at Sullivan Station needs to be; what kind of crowd control BPD will be doing; whether or not some streets needs to be closed to car traffic on game days; and on and on. Boston also cares who will pay for this. So please point me to any detailed transportation planning documents for this project.

Also, I'm still waiting for a source for your claim that Mayor Wu has "very publicly and loudly stated" that she does "not want this approved at this time."