~ Sounds of Everett ~ Mayor DeMaria: Still Fighting to Make Everett a World-Class City

On Monday, two neighboring mayors — Boston’s Michelle Wu and Everett’s Carlo DeMaria — held separate press conferences regarding the proposed professional soccer stadium by The Kraft Group. The project is set to transform the long-neglected industrial area on the Everett side of the Mystic River, once home to the now-nonoperational Edison power plant.

Mayor Wu raised concerns about traffic impacts on nearby neighborhoods, such as Charlestown and Somerville, along with questioning The Kraft Group’s $750,000 mitigation proposal. In a particularly pointed moment, she referred to the amount as comparable to her political challenger Josh Kraft’s “allowance” — a reference to the fact that Kraft is the son of Patriots and Revolution owner Robert Kraft. The implication was clear: Politics may be playing just as big a role in her statements as urban planning concerns.

Despite her sharp rhetoric, Wu appears to be generally supportive of the stadium project. Still, her criticisms stand in contrast to Mayor DeMaria’s clear and focused message: that Everett is ready for this transformation, and that the city should no longer be treated as an afterthought in Greater Boston development.

DeMaria has long championed efforts to revitalize Everett. He argues that the stadium would not only clean up a blighted area but also boost regional infrastructure, including enhancements to the proposed MBTA connection. Additionally, the project would bring walking paths, training facilities and economic vitality to both Everett and the surrounding communities — all while reducing overall traffic through improved transit access.

It’s no secret that both mayors are navigating election season. But while Wu’s remarks seemed entangled in political subtext, DeMaria’s press conference focused on a consistent vision: progress for Everett. His track record backs that up. No Everett mayor has delivered the scale of economic growth and prestige that DeMaria has. From securing a Class A casino license for Encore Boston Harbor to pushing for a professional sports facility, DeMaria continues to raise the city’s profile.

With thousands of jobs, increased tax revenue and a reshaped urban landscape at stake, the proposed redevelopment of the Island End section could be another landmark achievement. Real estate values in Everett are rising, new residents are arriving and the city’s reputation as a growing hub of opportunity continues to strengthen.

Mayor DeMaria once again demonstrated that Everett has a seat at the table — and that he’s willing to stand up for his constituents, even when it means challenging the political powers in Boston. One wonders how different the conversation might be if this weren’t an election year in Beantown — but for Everett, the direction is clear, and the momentum is real. – JDM