Area Leaders on the Magaplex

Boston and Cambridge business and political leaders have different opinions about the proposed Magaplex sports and convention center. FOR

Kenneth E. Reeves '72, Mayor of Cambridge

"The hotel tax in Cambridge goes partly to help public to help public schools . Boston has been outclassed because we have no facilities to house large convention."

William A. Sage President, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce executive vice-president, Sage hotel chain

The domino theory: "If you have a large convention in Boston, there are not enough hotel rooms in Boston, so people have to come to Cambridge."

Gerald W. Oldach, Executive director, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce

"Cambridge restaurants, hotels and businesses would benefit. When people come to visits Boston, they come to visit Boston, they come to Cambridge." ON THE FENCE

David R. Leslie, Executive director, the Cambridge Civic Association

The Megaplex has "no direct impact on Cambridge." But he is "concerned about anything that is going to overburden the infrastructure. This is not to say that there aren't tons of advantages." AGAINST

Alvin E. Thompson, State Representative, D-Cambridge

The stadium, if built, should be privately funded: "There is no guarantee that conventions will come. Why should I support a Magaplex in Boston if Cambridge gets nothing?"

Charles R. Flaherty, State House Speaker, D-Cambridge, author of the Megaplex legislation

"I'm a skeptic. It's a question of the Megaplex instead of [another project] and whether you can gain better economic impact by doing something else."

Francis H. Duehay '55, Cambridge City Councillor

The Megaplex should be privately funded. It would be "good for the regional economy" but would have "no particular effect on the Cambridge economy."