By: Erika Tarlin

Erika Tarlin — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 17:41:13 +0000

To further Shirley Kressel’s points above, the issue is the BRA coffers, not the city which, as stated, does not clear a dime from the lease agreement. In 2000, when previous Red Sox ownership angled for any deal which would allow a new stadium to be built, it was poised to grab more than $350 Million in taxpayer money toward its $700 Million stadium plans to go along with land taken by eminent domain for a new stadium; free land with a garage built on it and revenue from the garage to go to the team. And, where was this land? The BRA had determined that after studying 20+ sites around the city, the only place to build a new stadium was in the Fenway. The boundaries would have been Yawkey Way at Brookline Avenue all the way over to Boylston Street, and all the way west to Kilmarnock, thus devouring private properties including the offices of the Boston Phoenix. Under the umbrella of ‘CASS’ – Citizens Against Stadium Subsidies – which included the groups the Fenway CDC and Fenway Action Coalition, the Alliance of Boston Neighborhoods, MassPIRG, and Save Fenway Park! there was a unified voice in opposition and ultimately the team was sold. Ten years later, the previously determined ‘blighted’ neighborhood is thriving.

thank you.

Comments on: Boston Phoenix Editorial Gives More Ink to Initiative’s Fenway Park Story

By: Erika Tarlin