As South Boston residents get over the shock of Fright Island, it was announced on Tuesday that Bob Kraft and the New England Revolution are in negotiations to potentially build a new stadium at the old Bay Side Expo. Don’t know where the old Bay Side Expo was? Well, it’s behind the State Police Barracks near Day Blvd. near the circle of hell that is know as Kosciuszko Circle.
According to the Boston Globe, Kraft has begun talks with the University of Massachusetts – who owns the property – to discuss the possibility to build a new stadium. The stadium venue would have to accommodate 20,000 to 25,000 people.
Here are our concerns. Traffic. It’s a gridlocked nightmare at the rotary and there has been no effort to fix it. Supporters of the stadium suggest that maybe people will take the MBTA – another entity that is also in desperate need of repair. (We also think that’s wishful thinking. Most people will drive.)
As for who will pick up the tab on all these upgrades, it is unclear. We have a feeling we know who will – the taxpayers. Another concern? You know it’s not just gonna be soccer games at the Revolution Stadium. We’ll bet there will be concerts, festivals and more. No diggity. No doubt. This area can’t take anymore congestion. It’s a bad idea.
We realize this is just the beginning of discussions and we will keep an open mind. But we are realists. The same issue with the Boston 2024 bid as still looming. Boston needs major upgrades in its transportation system as well as infrastructure. Until we start investing in these issues, our city is just stuck. Just like we’ll be at Kosciuszko Circle when there’s a Revs game in town.
Why won’t these people realize that Southie is primarily a residential area?! Between this, Fright Island and Indy Car, why would anyone think to put these things in the middle of a residential area where people live, go to school, raise kids and try to have peace and quiet?! Restaurants and shops are one (welcome) thing, but this is totally different.
Why are we so quick to say no, this is a bad idea, this won’t work, it’s going to hurt our property prices, it’s going to increase traffic. I think we are missing the point! We are been given incredible opportunities to improve our lives both through entertainment, sports and recreation and we simple jump to it’s too hard and it won’t work. Fine, lets have the debate and talk about what we want to make all these great things happen. Please Boston, be a little more open.
I’ve lived in the neighborhood for over a decade and chose to raise my family here. I love this website and generally agree with you Maureen, but I don’t follow your logic here. Like you I want that traffic circle from hell to be fixed once and for all. Maybe like you I would prefer to see something/anything at the Bay Expo area other than the ruins there now.
If a deal with the Krafts mandated that the circle be fixed for the neighborhood would you support it?
Hey, Stephanie! Thanks for your kind words. I think a lot would have to be done to infrastructure in order for this location to work. I will keep an open mind but I think other locations in the city – more on the outskirts – would be a better location.
But that location kind of is the outskirts. As for those that say this is a residential area. Sorry, but you’re living in a major city, if you want purely residential, that’s why they made the suburbs.
Southie is part of a city you fucking morons.
A-fucking-men.
I believe it’s best to have these stadiums in the city. It brings taxes, money to local businesses and yes, fixes for infrastructure. No way would that traffic circle be left as is if a stadium goes into that site. And definitely nothing will change if people keep protesting , well change.
The Kraft’s vs. owners of other franchise owners have historically subsidized if not fully paid for some local infrastructure updates. They certainly did on Rt. 1. This might be a win-win (well if Red Line gets upgrades)
The Kraft’s vs. other franchise owners have historically subsidized if not fully paid for some local infrastructure updates. They certainly did on Rt. 1. This might be a win-win (well if Red Line gets upgrades)