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THE ONCE AND FUTURE FENWAYFenway Park, constructed in 1912, became the oldest Major League ballpark in the country when Tiger Stadium was decommissioned in 1999.Shoehorned into the street layout of its urban setting and featuring brick, concrete and steel materials and a seating configuration close to the field, Fenway Park represents the distinctive characteristics of ballparks built during the early twentieth century. Fenway Park played an important role in the development of the national, cultural and social institution of baseball and is significant for its association with important figures in baseball history, including legends such as Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Shoeless Joe Jackson, Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio and Carl Yastrzemski. It is the site of one of baseball's most enduring moments, Carlton Fisk's home run in game six of the 1975 World Series.
While Fenway Park has evolved over the years, it still maintains its historic integrity through the retention of distinctive features including its original brick facade, wall heights and field configuration and intimate seating. Like the Old North Church, Bunker Hill and the U.S.S. Constitution, it contributes to Boston's identity and its place in American heritage. BENEFITS FOR RED SOX FANSFans love Fenway Park for what it is: "the best place in the world to watch a baseball game."Renovation provides benefits to both kinds of fans--those who value tradition and those who desire the comforts of a modern park. Authentic Fenway Experience at a Renovated Fenway Park Fans can also enjoy a family-friendly atmosphere with access to a wealth of modern amenities, including:
Polls have shown that fans prefer renovation of Fenway:
BENEFITS FOR BOSTON & MASSACHUSETTSEconomic BenefitsRenovating Fenway Park means maintaining its unique, "real" history. This connection to the past, along with its intimacy and Mecca-like status, attracts visitors and fans from across the country and around the world. In fact, the Boston Red Sox claim that Fenway Park is Massachusetts' biggest tourist draw. These tourists have a significant economic impact on the City and the Commonwealth. Many tourists come to Boston specifically to visit historic sites like Fenway Park. They are part of the growing business of "heritage tourism."
A recent study by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce calculated the economic impact of the Boston Red Sox' proposed new stadium. Although these figures and similar claims in other cities have been criticized as wildly exaggerated, since a renovated Fenway Park will seat roughly the same number of fans, the economic benefits identified in the plan would apply equally to the renovated Fenway: One million extra fans a year, spending $204 million more a year, 7,200 permanent, full-time jobs. When complete the Red Sox' proposed new ballpark would be the fourteenth stadium to be built since 1991's Camden Yards and thus will not offer a unique or even unusual baseball experience. In contrast, a renovated Fenway Park, due to its history and connection to baseball's past, will undoubtedly draw more visitors, particularly those from out-of-state. As a result, the economic impact of a renovated park will likely exceed that of a new stadium, especially over the long term. Symbolic SignificanceFenway Park is a Boston icon of global renown. It exudes qualities of history, tradition, uniqueness, and authenticity and demonstrates Boston's respect for our common American heritage. Renovating Fenway Park will sustain these qualities that are rightly identified with our city and our commonwealth. BENEFITS FOR TAXPAYERSRenovation Requires Less Public SubsidyA renovation of Fenway Park would require some financial support from the city and state government to cover possible land takings and infrastructure costs. However, these costs would be considerably less than those required for a new stadium:
Public Money for an Historic Landmark Spending taxpayers' dollars on a new stadium for the Boston Red Sox, which would devastate the Fenway community and bring about the needless destruction of a national treasure, would be the worst form of "corporate welfare." This is especially true since recent experiences with countless new sports facilities across the country indicate that new stadiums may have no significant impact on the economies of their cities. Subsidizing the preservation of an historic landmark--one with icon status for the city and state and an established tourist attraction--is a much more appropriate and sound use of public money. Massachusetts Taxpayers Want the Red Sox to Stay at Fenway Park Polls have shown that Massachusetts residents prefer renovation over a new stadium and support the use of public funds to renovate Fenway:
BENEFITS FOR THE FENWAY COMMUNITYRenovation Addresses Many Neighborhood Needs and ConcernsRetaining Fenway Park in its present location allows the expansion of other neighborhood-friendly land uses in the Fenway. The renovation plan recommends adding housing and neighborhood parks at various locations and encourages retail services for the community (e.g., banks, dry cleaners) along Boylston Street. This growth and strengthening of the neighborhood will result in a revitalized Boylston Street where an "urban village," often identified as a goal for this area, would become a reality. The renovation option also addresses concerns of noise, traffic, and parking. Unlike the Red Sox' proposal, if Fenway is renovated the existing "buffer" between the park and the residential area of the neighborhood would remain to minimize the impacts of additional fans. Parking structures have been designed with entrances and exits which direct traffic to egress the city with minimal adverse effects on the neighborhood. Maintains Connection to Kenmore Square Currently, Kenmore Square is a major intersection of transportation systems with a diversity of retail, restaurant, and entertainment uses. With an expanded Fenway Park, an opportunity exists for a strong tie to Kenmore Square and the urban life and activity it suggests. Growth in entertainment uses in the direction of Kenmore Square rather than toward the residences to the south is logical and vital. The closer the connection between the ballpark and Kenmore the more meaningful and valuable these points of attraction will be for visitors and for local businesses. Better for Local Businesses Renovating Fenway Park does not require the large-scale land takings that would be needed to realize the Red Sox proposal. As a result, renovation allows the existing neighborhood businesses to remain and the recent rebirth of and investment in the area to continue. In addition, many aspects of the renovation plan will enhance the revenue of local businesses, including increased, steady attendance at Red Sox games and stronger connections to Kenmore Square. Fenway Residents Want the Red Sox to Remain at Fenway Park
BENEFITS FOR SOCIETYVirtues of Historic PreservationThe preservation of historic pieces of the built environment and special places is important to maintaining a link with our past. It connects us to the experiences of our forebears--their craftsmanship, their values, and the events and people that shaped their lives--which in turn gives us a better understanding of who we are. Historic Preservation is also one of the most important tools in the Smart Growth movement which holds that properly planned growth encourages reinvestment in both the public and private sector bringing urban revitalization. It has been proven time and again that preservation is good business and contributes to the quality of our lives. The tangible and intangible aspects of an historic place, including its emotional or historical associations, the way it illustrates a building type or stylistic interpretation, and its presence on a landscape can have a powerful impact. When we destroy such vital places we lose all the connections and lessons they offer us. The renowned historian David McCullough has wisely observed, "We have so little left that's authentic and real. To replace what we have with plastic, contrived history is almost sacrilege." Renovating Fenway Park is Good for BaseballBaseball is as key to America as apple pie and hot dogs. Fenway Park is as central to the game of baseball as Babe Ruth and the World Series, and people visit it today to experience the game "as it was meant to be." Why?
Society Wants the Red Sox to Stay at Fenway Park Renovation of Fenway Park is preferred over building a new park by all age groups, by those of all different levels of education, of different religious backgrounds, of all different income levels, of different political ideologies, by those with and without children, and by those who are Red Sox fans. Source: RKM Research, Inc. poll, May 1999 BENEFITS FOR THE BOSTON RED SOXRenovation Costs Less Than a New StadiumRenovation will cost the Boston Red Sox considerably less than a new stadium. Daedalus Projects, Inc. professionally estimated the construction cost of Mr. Hagenah's plan to be $281 million, compared to $350 million for a new stadium. When including related savings in land takings and infrastructure costs, the total savings amount to almost $160 million. In addition, renovation requires significantly lower expenses associated with legal fees and other costs surrounding the eminent domain and permit approval processes, less negotiating with the Fenway neighborhood, and less lobbying for public financing. Renovation Offers Same Revenue Opportunities as a New StadiumA renovated and expanded Fenway Park will provide the Red Sox with the revenue that they claim is necessary to compete in today's market.
The Fenway Factor Continuing to play baseball in historic Fenway Park guarantees the Red Sox a steady level of attendance. A 1997 survey found that unlike every other major league team, the Red Sox' attendance since 1970 is consistently high and does not depend upon the team's performance on the field. ( "Team Performance, Attendance and Risk" Real Estate Issue, April, 1997) This phenomenon has been labeled the Fenway Factor. In a new stadium the Red Sox will lose the benefit of the Fenway Factor and attendance will likely depend on team performance. This is particularly true since the Red Sox' new park, opening in 2003, would be the fourteenth stadium of the Camden Yards style and will not be special, unique or authentic in any way. The Red Sox are a mythic franchise and a beloved New England institution. Fenway Park is largely responsible for this special status among baseball clubs. The team and its park have been entwined and identified with each other for decades; abandoning this essential part of the team's heritage will extinguish the special aura of tradition that surrounds the Red Sox baseball club today. It could prove to be economic suicide. CONCLUSIONFenway Park may be owned by the Boston Red Sox but as a national treasure and an important connection to our past we all should have a say in what becomes of her. The benefits of renovating Fenway as outlined here are clear and substantial. Renovation benefits not only the Red Sox but all of us, Red Sox fans and non-fans, Bostonians, history buffs, residents, taxpayers, fans of baseball around the world, and the game of baseball itself.During special moments the old park has been known to cradle her fans in her graceful arms. It is time we repaid her affection and helped her to a future as long and glorious as her past.
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