Mega-Moneymaker

Some good may have come from the mad scramble to keep the New England Patriots in Massachusetts. State politicians have proposed the Megaplex, a 70,000 seat domed stadium to be built in Boston.

As the dust clears from the Patriots relocation scare, support for the $700 million project appears to have diminished. The new Patriots owner, Robert Kraft, who also owns Foxborough Stadium, will keep the football club in Massachusetts. Thus, there is no longer an urgent need to entice the owner with the benefits of a state-funded football wonderland. And now liberal state politicians are wondering aloud whether other projects might better serve their constituents.

Despite the loss of urgency, the proposed Megaplex is still a solid idea. Such a facility could host conventions and special events, in addition to the mediocre football team. With Boston's rich tradition and history and the plethora of colleges, universities, hospitals and research centers, the city is a natural location for conventions and events of all types. Boston's convention facilities, however, currently rank only 41st in the country.

Clearly, more convention space could be utilized. "Boston and Massachusetts are losing untold numbers of conventions because we don't have the facilities to hold them," says Virginia Buckingham, press secretary to Governor William F. Weld '66. Supporters of the 650,000-square-foot Megaplex reasonably contend that such organizations and events as the American Medical Association and the Democratic National Convention would be natural candidates to use the dome's space.

The benefits of the Megaplex would be felt throughout the Boston area. A study by Price Waterhouse estimates $1.4 billion in increased business per year, 21,000 new jobs and $67 million in increased annual tax revenue. Another study by Coopers & Lybrand forecasts similar boosts to both the state economy and tax revenue.

Republican Governor Weld has lead the push for the project, which has even garnered support from liberal Cambridge Mayor Kenneth E. Reeves '72. The only obstacle appears to be local politicians who worry about increased traffic and the burden of funding the project through state government bonds.

Despite some legitimate concerns about possible negative consequences, with wise planning the Megaplex represents at least a potential field goal, if not a touch-down, both for the state economy and for the coffers of the state govenment.