Could Somerville score a major league stadium?

By Andrea Gregory

Somerville could score a claim to fame on the map of sporting arenas if a deal comes through to build New England’s next soccer stadium on Somerville turf.

Preliminary talks are in the earliest of stages, according to Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. Curtatone confirmed that city official did discuss the possibility with members of The Kraft Group, owner of the Patriots and New England Revolution, over the possibility of creating a new home field for the soccer team.

Several locations in multiple municipalities are believed to be under consideration. However, the sheer possibility of a major league sports arena coming to the area is exciting. 

“We are pretty excited,” said Curtatone.

Curtatone said even the preliminary inquiry from the Kraft Group shows Somerville has a lot to offer. Curtatone said he is not surprised that Somerville in on the list of possible locals for the areas next soccer stadium.

“We have incredible transit coming to our city. We are interested in marketing Somerville as a great place to work, live and play,” said Curtatone. “I think it just continues to contribute to the positive image of the city.”

Curtatone said there is not a particular site under review for a future soccer stadium and said he did not have any further details to release since nothing is official at this time.

A spokesman from The Kraft Group said he could not release any details about the land search or the future stadium. However, he did confirm the preliminary talk took place with Somerville officials.

New England Revolution was formed in 1995. It was one of the 10 original teams of Major League Soccer. Currently home games are played at the Gillette Stadium in Foxboro.

Even with those involved in the early discussion of Somerville possibly gaining a stadium being so tightlipped, local soccer fans are already rooting for a deal to come through.

Gordon Siek, who has been coaching 12 years through the Somerville Youth Soccer League, said it would be great.

“There is a huge population of people here who love soccer. It would be a great thing for the city,” he said. “I actually think it is a natural (move) to bring it to town. There is a bigger fan base here than in Foxboro.”

Siek, a Revolution fan, said he currently makes the haul out to Foxboro to take in a game. He said he knows some youth coaches have organized trips to take their teams to games as well. Having the stadium closer, would allow for more of that, he said.

Siek said it could also be beneficial to the city’s youth soccer program that currently has 600 kids kicking balls around.

“I think it would help the program here quite a bit,” said Siek. “Those kids really look up to those players.”

Comments

[nobody]

I'm really surprised the article doesn't go into more depth on what challenges this might post for Somerville. There are no quotes from people who might be against it, just from those for it. Given this was reported in the Herald a week ago, I'd expect a little more. Not saying I'm against the stadium, I don't know, but I'd like to hear more opinions.

[What a stupid article...]

Wow! Exciting! It is indeed extremely IMPORTANT to score a claim to fame on the map of sporting arenas!
Curtatone can go screw himself. Grew up as a dumb jock, still a dumb jock.

>>
Somerville could score a claim to fame on the map of sporting arenas
>>

[Ron Newman]

I'm not necessarily against it, but if it is open before the Green Line is, how will anyone get to and from it?

[Democracy]

Good point, Ron. I bet that to get it approved from a pollution/environmental standpoint, they'll need to argue that many people will use public transportation to get to it. But with no Green Line extension operational before 2016 or so...

[Milsson]

The site mentioned in other news sources is very near the Orange Line at Sullivan Square.

[Ron Newman]

Neither the News, nor the Journal, nor the Herald have told us what businesses are now on the proposed site, and what would happen to them. Dig deeper, please.

[Matt]

Can we get Kraft to throw a bunch of money at the green line extension?

[Anonymous]

I think this story is just a story, spurned by recent press that a minor baseball team wants to practice on land at Bunker Hill Community College.

[Pele]

Maybe the Krafts will kick in some cash for the green line. Just like we shook down IKEA for orange line money. Better yet, maybe Cambridge and their North Point development will build a road from their side and reep more of the benefits !

[Citizen]

If the stadium location really is in the Inner Belt, this could be the best news for Assembly Square in years. After all, the Somerville News made a big deal about Bob Kraft being at Joe Curtatone's fund raiser.

The developers who elected Joe Curtatone left town with $30 million in profit after they got what they wanted. Now, if Kraft becomes Joe's new sugar daddy, Joe may not feel that he has to slavishly manipulate Assemblhy Square development policy in ways that are bad for those of us who live in Somerville.

[observer]

Only a dim-wit would see a professional sports franchise come to Somerville.
There are few tangible benefits- and many downsides to a city that has too little space- and too much congestion.

Most sports franchises will produce more bars and retail ... exactly what Somerville does not need...

If you remember Tufts was trying to jam the womens professional soccer league in to their stadium... and the prior City administration and neighborhood rightly fought it off.

IF Joe is reaaly supporting this.... then he dumber than I would like to think.

[observer]

Only a dim-wit would want to see a professional sports franchise come to Somerville.
There are few tangible benefits- and many downsides to a city that has too little space- and too much congestion.

Most sports franchises will produce more bars and retail ... exactly what Somerville does not need...

If you remember Tufts was trying to jam the womens professional soccer league in to their stadium... and the prior City administration and neighborhood rightly fought it off.

IF Joe is reaaly supporting this.... then he is dumber than I would like to think.

[Garrett]

This would be great if they built a stadium in Somerville. I have season tickets to the Revs and I hate driving out to Foxboro. I would just take the train or bus or better yet walk! I can see it being like some of the stadiums they have in Europe in urban environments. It'd would be awesome and a huge benefit for the town, too. They should be able shake down the Krafts for some money for a green line expansion and some other improvements, too. Win win for the fans and the city.

[Matt]

Can someone give some background on the "orange line money" from ikea? Stoughton is waaay south of forest hills

[Ron Newman]

It refers to money for building an Orange Line station next to the new Ikea in Assembly Square. Nothing to do with their Stoughton store.

[Matt]

Oh, that would be sweet.

[Ron Newman]

I would have liked to see the women's professional soccer team at Tufts, actually. It would not have required any construction, as it would have used fields that already exist, a short walk from the Red Line. The point is moot now, since the whole WUSA league folded.

[Did You Really Know that Mayor Curatone was a Drum Major]

Yes, the Mayor, before becoming a Jock, use to be a drum major for an Everett Drum & Bugle Corp. He use to wear one of the high black feathery hats and carry a baton.

Those were the days when he liked to propagate his oats too. I could go further but he isn't worth it.

[Keep Soccer in Foxboro]

I'm not surprised to hear the positive comment from Ron Newman concerning the proposed Women's Soccer League at Tufts. From what I recall, there was virtually zero 'give-back' to the community. And part of the proposal called for at least a half-dozen streets around Tufts to be closed ALL DAY every time there was a game. This would have, at the very least, inconvenienced residents, businesses, and at least one church. These proposals just don't make sense, and bring nothing good to the residents of the city.

[bring soccer to Somerville]

This would be an excellent move for all parties concerned (if done correctly). I would love to see this happen. I would also love some more information on the matter. No one seems to really be pressing the issue.

[new stadium, more details for cops ohhhhhh doggy!]

I cant wait for a new stadium. More detail for cops! OOOOOOOOOOOODoggy

[Ron Newman]

I did not know about the proposed street closures at Tufts. Could the city have approved the games while disallowing the closures?

[Green line extension.]

An issue has been started on DevalPatrick.com to register your dissent on the Somerville Green Line Extension Delay.

Go to : http://devalpatrick.com/issue.php?issue_id=7648912

You'll need to register an account first before you can support the issue.

Summary of this website :

MyIssue.DevalPatrick.com is an online tool to help you participate in shaping the direction of your community and Massachusetts. It is where you can identify and present an issue that matters to you and then organize around it. The Governor keeps track of the efforts of everyone who uses MyIssue.DevalPatrick.com and will often comment on issues generating solid amounts of support.

Barry Rafkind

[observer]

You this is the 3rd time Governor Patrick has show has disrepect for Somerville.

First we had the sludge plant.

Next- is the looming change in auto insurance which will cause rates in Somerville to go up significantly- My guess is Patrick has either been cornered by the large Insurance companies and or he figures Somerville will vote for him anyway...

This green line extension show his lack or respect... or perhaps contempt for Somerville?

[observer]

You know this is the 3rd time Governor Patrick has shown disrepect for Somerville.

First we had the sludge plant.

Next- is the looming change in auto insurance which will cause rates in Somerville to go up significantly- My guess is Patrick has either been cornered by the large Insurance companies and or he figures Somerville will vote for him anyway...

This green line extension show his lack or respect... or perhaps contempt for Somerville?

[JR]

Citizen/observer wrote:
"Most sports franchises will produce more bars and retail ... exactly what Somerville does not need..."

Why not? I think that's exactly what Somerville DOES need...

[Somerville President]

Somerville also needs more brothels, according to some who have to drive far away to find one.

[Marc]

Well, the Krafts certainly learned a valuable lesson during the debacle that was their attempt to develop a stadium in South Boston. Namely, don't target a community where the residents and politicians actually have the courage to stand up for themselves.

So, now that Bob and Jonathan are looking for a "playpen" for their Major League Soccer franchise, they've targeted a community with a mayor who is willing to bend over for them. Curtatone has even gone so far as to suggest that the Kraft Group is willing to pay for studies assessing the impact of development in the Inner Belt and Brickbottom districts out of some sort of magnanimous gesture of goodwill towards the city.

Fat chance! The Krafts wouldn't be footing the bill for the studies if they weren't damned sure that the results will find that a soccer-specific stadium is just what the doctor ordered for Somerville... regardless of whether or not that finding is true, or the will of the people.

In short, the Krafts are going to BUY the findings that they WANT... and Curtatone is going to allow them to do so.

Let's hope that the residents of Somerville possess more brains, backbone and self-respect than the city's mayor.