Report: Krafts in “Advanced” Talks on Revs Stadium
- Updated: March 25, 2015
Timing is everything. And it appears that the Kraft family is taking that axiom to heart when it comes to the construction of a potential stadium for the Revolution.
According to a Boston Business Journal report on Wednesday, the Krafts are in “advanced” discussions with key stakeholders to build their soccer club a new home in South Boston’s Widett Circle, which located between a bend in Interstate 93 and the MBTA rail yards, near the Massachusetts Avenue connector to I-93.
The report, which cites multiple anonymous sources, said that the negotiations could complicate the planning behind Boston’s bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics. The city’s proposal for the Games includes the construction of a large-scale Olympic Stadium (60,000 capacity) on land close to Widett Circle, and one much larger than the standard MLS-size parks (18,000-27,000 capacity).
When Boston won the U.S. bid for the 2014 Games over Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, the prevailing thought was that the planned Olympic stadium could be scaled down following the event to accommodate the Revolution, which would then move into the stadium.
That idea appears is no longer in play, according to the BBJ report. Citing “people familiar with the Krafts’ thinking,” the Revolution owners “have emphasized a need to move quickly.” Construction on any potential Olympic stadium is contingent on the city winning the bid against such cities as Hamburg and Rome, and Boston is not considered a favorite to get the Games.
The International Olympic Committee won’t announce the winning bid until 2017, and it appears the Krafts are not willing to wait until then to break ground should Boston somehow emerge as the victor.
The Krafts declined to comment on the BBJ report.
One subplot worth watching: Boston mayor Martin Walsh confirmed with BBJ on Tuesday that the city would not use eminent domain to remove vendors from Widett Circle, with the understanding that the vendors would enter into discussions with the city on its Olympic bid.
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