Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and Red Sox CEO John
Harrington yesterday "surged closer to a deal on city
financing for a new Fenway Park," according to Macero &
Guarino of the BOSTON HERALD, who write the two discussed
"hard numbers" in their "most productive talks in weeks."
Menino and Harrington met for an hour and 40 minutes and the
Mayor and other sources reported that the negotiations "are
moving ahead in a positive way." Menino: "We hope, in the
very near future, that we can come up with some agreements.
I'm confident that we are making progress." According to
several sources, yesterday's meeting was the "first strong
sign" that an agreement on a new Fenway Park "is possible
before the state Legislature adjourns July 31." And "more
significant progress could be made before the July 4
holiday." One source: "There could be some intense
discussions through the weekend. They are really engaged"
(BOSTON HERALD, 6/30). In Boston, Meg Vaillancourt cites
sources familiar with the talks as saying that during the
meeting, Menino "outlined a ballpark financing plan he could
support. The package included some of the increased fees,
surcharges, and taxes that have been discussed in recent
weeks, but sources said the city also offered some new ideas
yesterday." Menino "refused to reveal his financing plan,
but said it was based on his condition that the team must
guarantee that any investment the city makes in the project
will be repaid" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/30).
