Looks like the Red Sox owners have finally made a public commitment to staying at Fenway. This means that we should be able to celebrate Fenway’s 100th anniversary in just a few short years.
What I found most compelling about the announcement, was that there were “no strings attached” to them staying long-term. The ownership have outlined a plan of neighborhood improvements. And, of course, they would like nothing better than the City of Boston to step in an help with those improvements. But, it isn’t a condition of the commitment to stay. I think this is the right decision.
Despite its flaws, like cramped seating, high ticket prices, obstructed views, lack of modern amenities, there is something special — magical even — about attending a game at Fenway. At a minimum, it is a unique experience. And, the amount of baseball fans that make the pilgrimage to Fenway park from all around this country (and the world) is testament to its important place in baseball history.
Among the improvements slated for the park and the Fenway neighborhood:
I think all of Red Sox Nation are happy to hear this news.
Putting in a new train station at Yawkee Way would actually be a great idea. Presently, right before a game, Kenmore ends up crammed with both pedestrian and vechicle traffic. It gets to the point where people are overflowing into the street, especially going up Boylston street towards Landsdowne, and mixing dangerously with the cars — which slows traffic down quite a bit, of course.
If people could exit the train directly onto Yawkee, then hopefully Kenmore wouldn’t see quite such a pile-up come game time. It’s never really bothered me, since I’m a big sox fan, but I bet that residents in the immediate area would like that.
Um, J, not to nitpick, but someone who goes to as many games as you should know that it’s “Yawkey” way.
Also, keep in mind that a lot of those improvements (specifically the new T station) would be dependant on city and state support, but that the Sox have said they’re moving forward with doing everything they can do by themselves regardless.
Yea, no doubt the City would have to step in for the T thing. As far as the street improvements though, it seems as though it might be the Red Sox and other businesses around the park that foot the bill.
Now, would the T thing be a removal of the Kenmore station (and, effectively moving it to Yawkey), or a new station altogether?
New station altogether. Remember, lots of high-traffic bus lines go through Kenmore, not to mention 3 of the 4 green line routes.
Now that I think of it, I don’t know what good a new station would be anyway. The only green line that goes out that way is the D line, and people coming in on that line get off at the Fenway stop (behind the Landmark Center) already anyway. Maybe some of the people coming from downtown would wait for a D, but nobody coming inbound on the buses or other green line trains would bother, I think.
I think a T station there would be a little pointless, personally.
The much-vaunted piece of commuter vaporware known as the Silver Line was supposed to be a rail system installed back int he 90’s. Instead it became a bus line. The thought that the city would actually dig up all that ground seems far-fetched.
Remember that to get from Kenmore to Fenway Park you have to cross over (or under) I-90, which stands well below both Commonwealth Avenue AND Yawkey Way, and stretches out all the way underneath Boston. Digging under that means creating a tunnel with a shallow grade, then bringing it back up to nearly the level of the street. They’d probably have to start digging out at Copley or even further to get a track laid out that would work. We’re not talking a split off from Kenmore here, we’re talking a major project. Unless there are pre-existing tunnels, I can’t see how anyone would think it’s remotely practicle.
Yea, like I said, I don’t quite understand the new station idea. Although, I don’t think any specifics have been announced, so we can’t really speculate on how much work or money would be needed to implement it.
I just really don’t see it as being much of an improvement over the Kenmore and Fenway T-stops that are currently in place.
Now, is there a commuter rail stop nearby? That would be useful as people outside the city could train in rather than drive in.
Closest commuter rail is Back Bay, over by Copley.
Well, there is also Ruggles, though I dunno if that’s any closer.
Ruggles is commuter rail? For which lines?
Yea, you can grab the Needham Line and the Attlboro/Stoughton Line at Ruggles, although they stop less frequently at Ruggles than Back Bay.