Dome stadium in Boston - anyone else heard of this?

[TrueBeliever]

A while back (though for the life of me I can't remember where) I read that the city of Boston considered building a domed stadium in the late 1960s.

Apparently with the Patriots looking for a permanent home, the city made an offer to all four pro teams - the Pats, the Sox, the Celtics and the Bruins. The city would build a dome to house all four of them - but ONLY if all four agreed to play there. The deal fell apart because the Bruins refused, as they were getting a better cut of concession revenues where they were playing than they would have at the new place.

Has anyone else ever heard of this?

 

[RayClay]

'65 media guide. Thanks to Annihilus at the Planet

 

[Pats726]

There were MANY MANY plans for stadiums all around Boston....and NONE ever came even close...so many and it seemed the more they made sense, the less chance it had to get done. I remember at least 7 or 8 locations..and I am sure there were more. The Patriots were going to have to move...and the Sullivans needed a place to play..so it was a minor miracle that Foxboro wa sbuilt as fast as it was...I think..less than a year...I am sure there are some that know THOSE details..but it was quick and fast Schaefer Stadium...one of the first stadiums to bear the name of a sponser.

 

[Wax Frog]

I'd love to visit the alternate universe in which other teams tremble at the sight of the dreaded Groovydome

 

[fgssand]

There were MANY MANY plans for stadiums all around Boston....and NONE ever came even close...so many and it seemed the more they made sense, the less chance it had to get done. I remember at least 7 or 8 locations..and I am sure there were more. The Patriots were going to have to move...and the Sullivans needed a place to play..so it was a minor miracle that Foxboro wa sbuilt as fast as it was...I think..less than a year...I am sure there are some that know THOSE details..but it was quick and fast Schaefer Stadium...one of the first stadiums to bear the name of a sponser.

I remember Hopkinton, Rockingham Park, Readville, Neponset dump, East Boston (Suffolk Downs), all being considered around that time...anyone else remember others??

 

[efin98]

I remember Hopkinton, Rockingham Park, Readville, Neponset dump, East Boston (Suffolk Downs), all being considered around that time...anyone else remember others??

Possibly the Dover Street Yards or around Summer Street where the new convention center went.

 

[Patsgofor4]

What I remember was a combo domed stadium and convention center in Southie that was referred to as "The Megaplex". Weld was still the Gov and it was discussed when the state was worried about losing the Pats. It was too rushed and complication for this state....all the Dems were likely asking "what's in it for me?". Times haven't changed.

 

[efin98]

What I remember was a combo domed stadium and convention center in Southie that was referred to as "The Megaplex". Weld was still the Gov and it was discussed when the state was worried about losing the Pats. It was too rushed and complication for this state....all the Dems were likely asking "what's in it for me?". Times haven't changed.

It was going on mostly before Weld came into office in 1991.

Wasn't Victor Kiam's bankruptcy what finally killed the project? Once he sold the team to Orthwein it was pretty much a snowball's chance in heck of happening here with his hometown of St. Louis needing a team...

 

[RayClay]

I remember Hopkinton, Rockingham Park, Readville, Neponset dump, East Boston (Suffolk Downs), all being considered around that time...anyone else remember others??

You're good. Hopkinton?

 

[TrueBeliever]

So have the Red Sox been looking to move out of Fenway?

 

[DynastyDriven]

Jacobs would rather sell beer and roadkill hotdogs then share a stadium see Page 1

 

[BradfordPatsFan]

I vividly remember the Megaplex hysteria. It played out over several years, from the early to mid 1990's. Some links...

A Google books document provides a behind the scenes look at the collapse of the Megaplex deal.

Here is a link to a story about the MA Legislature beginning hearings on the Megaplex. It is dated September of 1995, coming off of a very successful Patriots season. (Subscription required to read the whole article but the beginning will give you the gist of it.)

Here is another from 1993 which states that the Speaker of the House was against it while Weld, Menino, and Bulger were backing it. (Again, sub. needed).

 

[Frezo]

So have the Red Sox been looking to move out of Fenway?

I can barely remember those football days. Heck, it was the 60s so it's a built in excuse. This link doesn't really pertain the the OP's topic, but it is a good history of the Pats.
NationMaster - Encyclopedia: New England Patriots

cop: "What are you? A wise guy!"
Steven Wright: "I have my moments of clear perspective."

 

[DynastyDriven]

Page 1 says it all

 

[Pats726]

I remember Hopkinton, Rockingham Park, Readville, Neponset dump, East Boston (Suffolk Downs), all being considered around that time...anyone else remember others??

There was a site somewhere south of what was Boston City Hospital, another that was in Cambridge (where NASA was suppose to be...mid 60s) and what I always thought was the best site....Weston very close to Mass Pike and 128..where they cross. At the time there was a LOT of land unused...that would have given easy access to the four directions traffic wise...Made sense...why it was NOT done..

 

[BradfordPatsFan]

There was a site somewhere south of what was Boston City Hospital, another that was in Cambridge (where NASA was suppose to be...mid 60s) and what I always thought was the best site....Weston very close to Mass Pike and 128..where they cross. At the time there was a LOT of land unused...that would have given easy access to the four directions traffic wise...Made sense...why it was NOT done..

Not too far from some T lines as well.


In the mid 90's when stadium sites were being discussed, some in the Merrimack Valley were urging the owners of the struggling Lawrence Municipal Airport to sell the land for the stadium.

 

[p8ryts]

I believe there was talk about Weston at one time near the 128/mass pike area, striking fear into the hearts of all westonians. The Boston Pols killed any chance of Boston Stadiums. Didn't want to spend the money on a nasty old football team.

 

[efin98]

I believe there was talk about Weston at one time near the 128/mass pike area, striking fear into the hearts of all westonians. The Boston Pols killed any chance of Boston Stadiums. Didn't want to spend the money on a nasty old football team.

But they gladly wasted millions on a new convention center on the site of the proposed stadium...

 

[efin98]

Not too far from some T lines as well.

In the mid 90's when stadium sites were being discussed, some in the Merrimack Valley were urging the owners of the struggling Lawrence Municipal Airport to sell the land for the stadium.

The one near Boston City Hospital I think was going to be on the site of the Southampton Street rail yard or where they put the South Bay shopping plaza...short distance from the T and I93.

There was one proposal to put the stadium up in Lynn at or around the GE plant, thankfully that didn't happen.

 

[Pats726]

Not too far from some T lines as well.


In the mid 90's when stadium sites were being discussed, some in the Merrimack Valley were urging the owners of the struggling Lawrence Municipal Airport to sell the land for the stadium.

I am sure that IF the plan got to be even close to serious..busses and such would have entered into the picture to get fans to Riverside or Watertown...(special runs)..but this one did not get off the ground....as were many.. I really believe there were 10-15 sites that were looked at in the 60s, 70s 80s and 90s...