Is there anywhere in/around Boston that they could build a modern Park? Any discussions about leaving town like the Pats did? I mean...I would think that one or the other has to happen eventually...
no discussion of a new park
. There were 2 proposals in the late 90s early 2000s. One was an offer to build in the seaport area by the real estate guy who eventually bought the Dodgers and almost ran them into the ground. O'Donnell? He was bidding for the team and the land was part of the bid.
The Yawkey Trust made a deal with the legislature where the trust would build on 15 acres they owned across from the park and the state would build some things like garages. There might have been some other takings. At any rate, the state insisted on enough covenants to cover what it was financing that no bank would make construction loans needed for the buildout
. The plan was put on hold, and the Henry Lycchino Otten group eventually bought the team. Lucchino had workedwith Jean Marie Smith from HOK in Camden Yards and San Diego. The owners brought her in and she said she could add about 6000 seats, modernize the facilities, and not lose the feel of the park. So, they had about a 10 year plan to modernize the place, first enhancing the structure, then redoing the area behind the plate, adding the wall seats, and putting inthe seats on the top level down the lines.
Henry says they can play there 50 more years
