New Addition Proposed for Gillette Stadium

The new lounge in the south end zone at Gillette Stadium has caused a bit of a shuffling and moving for its staff.

With workers and storage getting displaced because of the new area for fans, stadium officials are now looking for the ok from the planning board for what has been described as a minor modification to the home of the Patriots and the Revolution.

Stadium officials told the board Thursday night that the proposed 20,000 st. ft. 3-story building behind the stadium would be used to house employees and storage that needs new space due to the changes at the stadium.

Located in the back behind the south ramp, storage and staff would be located on the second and third floors with the first floor open for pedestrians and vehicles.

The addition would have no impact on the public’s access to the stadium as the area is already off limits to the general public.

There were questions about the modification from public officials though. According to the planning board, Fire Chief Roger Hatfield had questions about the turning radius for trucks and Police Chief Ed O’Leary was concerned because the new structure would eliminate the holding structure for those taken into custody during some events.

Mike Titus of the Kraft Group said they have figured out a solution for the holding cells once the new structure is complete.

“This is going to be a win-win because he’s going to be able to unload the vans under the ramp so we’ll be able to create new holding cells that will be temporary and they’ll be able to come down. I think when we have that conversation he’ll be more comfortable,” Titus said.

As for the turning radius, programs run by the Kraft Group say that trucks should not have any issues turning around while they are behind the stadium.

There was also concerned expressed about if the structure would affect medevac vehicles on the practice fields.

If approved, work on the building would begin in 2015 and would be completed in time for the new season.

The process is expected to continue at the next planning board meeting on Jan. 8.