Mayor James J. Fiorentini > Press Release

January 11, 2007 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mayor Announces Stadium Project Moving Forward

Mayor James J. Fiorentini and Stadium Commission Chairman Peter Shanahan today announced that the funding to repair the stadium has been released by the state and the city intends to move forward with the stadium repairs. 

Last year, the State awarded the city $1 million to repair the stadium.  The funding was originally voted on by the Massachusetts Legislature.  Mayor Fiorentini credited the Legislature delegation including Senator Stephen Baddour and State Representative Brian Dempsey for securing the money in a legislative grant.  The money was then vetoed by Governor Romney.  The legislature overrode the veto.  Governor Romney then froze the funding and imposed what was called, a 9C Cut and froze the funds.

On his first day in office, Governor Deval Patrick restored the funding. 

Today, the city received and signed with the state the contract to move forward with the repairs.  the next step is to do preliminary engineering studies which are due within the next two weeks.  This will determine the scope of work which needs to be done. 

In making the announcement, Mayor Fiorentini called it “an important step in restoring one of Haverhill’s historic treasures, the Haverhill Stadium”.

Fiorentini said that “Our goal is have work done within the coming year on the ramps and bleachers”.