BOSTON, MA– Bill S.2692, an Act relative to economic development on the Mystic River by Sal N. DiDomenico has not been agreed upon by the House Committee on Ways and Means.

This directly affects the development of a Professional Soccer Stadium for the New England Revolution as well as a waterfront park on the designated port area of the Mystic River in Everett, Massachusetts.

A rendering of a professional soccer stadium in Everett, Massachusetts, as proposed by the Kraft Group. Image Courtesy of New England Revolution.

On Thursday, July 11th, the Massachusetts Senate voted to pass the expansive $2.86 billion economic development bill (S.2856) which included language that cleared a pathway for a potential soccer specific stadium to be built on the Everett waterfront for the New England Revolution.

Over 500 total amendments were considered prior to the 40-0 unanimous vote in favor of its passage.

The passing of bill (S.2856) removed a specific zoning designation known as a “Designated Port Area” (DPA) that prevented non-industrial usage of the area. (The team is interested in the 43-acre parcel of land here).

However, the stadium specific language was not included in the original House version that was passed in June (H.4804), which would result in the proposal being reconciled at the Conference Commitee on July 31st.

Six days prior to the hearing, Boston City Councilor for District 8, Sharon Durkan, who is responsible for the neighborhoods of Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Mission Hill, Fenway, Kenmore, and the West End, released a public statement opposing the proposed stadium. (She is a counselor for TD Garden & Fenway Park venues, home of the Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins and Boston Red Sox).

My statement on the Kraft Group's Everett Stadium Proposal. This plan requires a thorough evaluation, one that can't be delivered before the end of the legislative session! pic.twitter.com/uJXiGKJkEk

— Sharon Durkan (@councilordurkan) July 25, 2024

On Wednesday, July 31st, the Senate Committee on Ways and Means met on the legislative deadline day to decide on 631 total bills regarding the State of Massachusetts, including Bill S.2692

By midnight, Kelly Garrity of Politico and Samantha Gross of The Boston Globe had reported that most bills were still bottled up.

At 7:00 a.m. on August 1st, it was announced that the bill was not agreed upon.

House leaders announce economic development bill is dead in the water tonight.

Slate of health care bills were also a casualty of the session. @RonMariano’s plan is to pass in informal session.

“I'd rather have something that makes sense … without mistakes without screw ups.” pic.twitter.com/Dd3pp99rBI

— Samantha J. Gross (@samanthajgross) August 1, 2024

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ron Mariano, spoke to the media after news had broken that the bill was “dead in the water”.

He stated, “I’d rather have something that makes sense … without mistakes without screw ups.”

House Speaker Mariano also stated, “The Senate, for the first time in about 20 years, stepped away from the commitment to MassBio, which is something that we wanted to know why, and we didn’t get any answers.”

Senate Budget Chief Michael J. Rodrigues stated, “Economic development not getting over the official finish line was certainly a disappointment … we weren’t able to get it done at this time. But we live to fight another day.”

House Ways & Means Chair, Representative Aaron Michlewitz, stated, “We kept trying and trying to engage and just ran against brick walls,” he said. “Eventually, we had to stop running into the brick wall.”.

He blames the deteriorated House-Senate Relationship for not getting more done during this session.

State Sen. Sal DiDomenico tells me he’s “still committed” to building a soccer stadium in Everett, despite latest eco dev setback. #mapoli

— Kelly Garrity (@kellygarrity3) August 1, 2024

Upon learning of the decision, Massachusetts State Senator Sal DiDomenico, who was heavily backing the passing of this bill, stated that he is “still committed” to building a Soccer Stadium in Everett.

The bill can still be revised and passed before January; however, it would have to pass in informal sessions with no objections, something extremely unlikely due to the public opposition by the City of Boston

New England Revolution Logo. Image Courtesy of New England Revolution.

Caleb Porter and the New England Revolution (7-2-14, 23 pts. in MLS, 1-0 in Leagues Cup) remain home to face MLS side Nashville SC. (6-8-11, 26 pts., 0-0 in Leagues Cup) in a Leagues Cup Match. The match will kick off at Gillette Stadium at 7:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, July 27th. For more MLS content, you can find it on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.

(Editor’s Note: For more of Burt Granofsky’s photos, click on the link)