Franklin Field: Cassie Franklin’s Risky Legacy Project

Important December 11th Meeting

In the face of mounting deficits, critical budget cuts, and a growing crisis of homelessness and safety concerns, Mayor Cassie Franklin is forging ahead with Franklin Field—a $120 million stadium project she hopes will define her legacy. Yet as Everett slashes essential services like libraries and parks, many residents see this as a reckless gamble that prioritizes vanity over necessity. Franklin Field, they argue, is less about building a better Everett and more about burnishing the Mayor’s resume, regardless of the cost to the community.

A Legacy of Risk

Franklin Field is being marketed as Everett’s ticket to economic revitalization. Designed to host minor league baseball games, concerts, and community events, the stadium is pitched as a multipurpose facility that will allegedly bring jobs, tourism, and prestige to the City. Mayor Franklin has staked her reputation on the project.  But critics say this rosy vision is out of step with the City’s harsh financial realities.

The Reality: Cuts to Libraries and Parks

The push for Franklin Field comes as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit, leading to deep cuts in essential services:

• Library Services: The Everett Public Library’s budget is being reduced by 12%, dropping from $5.8 million to $5.1 million. This cut has resulted in reduced operating hours—both branches will now be open 72 hours per week, down from 96 hours—and staffing levels will fall from 38.4 to 32.7 full-time equivalent positions. These reductions mean longer wait times for materials and diminished services for a community that relies on libraries for education, internet access, and safe gathering spaces.

• Park Ranger Program: Perhaps most troubling, the city has eliminated its park ranger program, which consisted of five positions—one supervisor and four rangers. Park rangers were responsible for maintaining safety in Everett’s 45 parks, addressing unauthorized encampments, and helping ensure public spaces were welcoming for families and children. Without them, residents fear an increase in homeless encampments, crime, and unsafe conditions in already-stressed public spaces.

Over-promised Benefits, Overlooked Problems

Critics of Franklin Field point to the City’s ongoing struggles with homelessness, addiction, and mental health crises as more pressing priorities than a stadium.  Even the economic benefits promised by Franklin Field are subject to skepticism. Studies from similar projects in other cities reveal that stadiums often fail to deliver the lasting economic growth they promise. The initial construction jobs and temporary influx of visitors do little to offset the long-term costs of debt service, maintenance, and underwhelming revenue.

Upcoming Meetings to Shape Everett’s Future

The week of December 11th will be critical for the future of Franklin Field:

• December 11th, 12:30 PM: The City’s Multiuse Facility Committee will hold a meeting to discuss the proposed stadium in greater detail. This session is expected to cover financing specifics, project timelines, and projected economic impacts. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and provide input, as committee recommendations will play a significant role in shaping the council’s final decision.

• December 20th, 6:30 PM: A full City Council meeting is likely to serve as the decision point for Franklin Field. With growing public scrutiny, council members will need to weigh the promises of the stadium against the immediate needs of the community. This meeting, held at City Council Chambers (3002 Wetmore Avenue), will include opportunities for public comment, making it a crucial forum for residents to express their concerns and priorities.

The Wrong Legacy

For Mayor Franklin, Franklin Field represents an opportunity to leave her mark on Everett. But legacies aren’t defined by flashy projects; they’re defined by how well leaders serve their communities. At a time when libraries are closing early, parks are becoming unsafe, and social issues are growing more severe, this project feels like a betrayal of Everett’s real needs. Everett doesn’t need a vanity stadium. It needs leaders who prioritize solutions to its most pressing problems, not distractions that look good on paper but fail to deliver for the people.