The company owned by Patriots Owner Robert Kraft "wants to expand its Patriot Place development at Gillette Stadium with hundreds of housing units, several restaurants, and a hotel," according to Casey Ross of the BOSTON GLOBE. Foxboro town officials "are in preliminary discussions with the Kraft Group about the expansion, which could result in up to 300 residences and new dining and entertainment options, including a bowling alley." Officials said that the project "would require a zoning change and approval of eight additional liquor licenses." Expanding Patriot Place with residences and a hotel "would provide a year-round supply of customers for its shops and restaurants, which at times have struggled to generate consistent crowds during the Patriots’ off season." The project also would "shake-up Patriot Place’s dining options, adding a Japanese steakhouse and Mexican restaurant." The Kraft Group has "not yet filed a formal proposal with the town, but its executives have been meeting" with a committee of Foxboro officials in recent weeks. Kraft Group VP/Development & Construction Ted Fire said that the company "has been approached by a hotel operator interested in the property, but the size of the hotel has not been decided." All of the new activity "would be within the existing Patriot Place development." The Kraft Group, along with Foxboro officials, also are "hoping to add full-time commuter rail service to the property" (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/18). Fire said, "We don't have any defined designs at this point." In Boston, Donna Goodison noted the expansion pitch comes "months after shelving a billion-dollar Foxboro gambling resort with casino king Steve Wynn" (BOSTON HERALD, 8/18).
