Bill That Could Pave The Way For Everett Soccer Stadium Gets Hearing Date
Bill That Could Pave The Way For Everett Soccer Stadium Gets Hearing Date
Bill SD.2908 will have a hearing on Tuesday, April 2.
Bill SD.2908, which could pave the way for a soccer-specific stadium in Everett, MA, is scheduled to have a hearing on Tuesday, April 2.
The standalone bill, which was introduced by State Senator Sal N. DiDomenico on December 26, would re-designate a 43-acre industrial site that once housed a power plant.
Currently, the land is categorized as a “designated port area,” which limits how it can be used. DiDomenico’s bill would change the classification "for the purpose of converting the parcel into a professional soccer stadium and a waterfront park."
The bill was referred to the committee on Economic Development and Energy Technology on January 11, but it took until February 26 for the House to concur.
A hearing for the bill is now scheduled for April 2 at 2 pm.
Everett has been discussed as a potential site for a New England Revolution soccer stadium for some time now. A provision that would’ve advanced the project was included in the Senate’s version of November’s budget bill, but it wasn’t part of the one that ultimately passed.
When speaking to the media in December, club president Brian Bilello remained optimistic about the site.
“We absolutely think it could be a great project,” Bilello said. “We were asked to come in and evaluate the site and see if it’s something that could work. We know that it could work there physically. There’s a dimensional issue to a stadium—the shape and size and all of that—and we know it can fit there.
“We think it would be a great asset for the community to have it there. We still think that’s a viable site, a viable project, and think it would be really great for the overall community.”
In February, DiDomenico issued a statement to The Blazing Musket highlighting the positives of the proposal.
“We have worked so hard on this issue because as an environmental justice community we deserve something better than a polluted power plant on our waterfront,” DiDomenico said.
“This is a transformational project that will be an environmental win and an economic catalyst for our area…This opportunity will bring upwards of $600 million in private investments to our community with open space for our residents to enjoy.”