he Red Sox have talked about everything from the sod on up to the light poles.
But one big question remains: Who's paying for what when Fenway Park is replaced?
Team officials yesterday declined to say how much public aid they will need to complete one of the most ambitious and expensive ballpark projects ever.
However, as they unveiled a model of the new park yesterday on the right-field grass of the 87-year-old facility, they gave some hints.
At least $50 million is needed for upgrading utility service, sewer lines, and drainage, along with preservation of portions of the old park and improvements to traffic flow and transportation.
To handle the 1 million more visitors expected to flow through the new ballpark when it opens as early as 2003, the Red Sox are pushing for an expanded commuter rail depot at Yawkey Station and for modifications to the overwhelmed Kenmore MBTA stop.
Some federal funding could be used to pay for those transportation projects, but the state also could be on the hook for some of the cost.
''We're in the preliminary stages of planning for that,'' Red Sox spokesman Kevin Shea said.
Funding for the historic preservation component could fall under city or state jurisdiction. The team wants to turn the Green Monster, part of the existing playing field, and one of the original exterior walls of Fenway into a public museum and park. The space would essentially serve as the gateway to the new Fenway.
House Speaker Thomas M. Finneran, who clearly defined what he believes the state's role should be in aiding professional sports teams when the New England Patriots sought help from Beacon Hill over the last few years, could balk at the museum and park idea.
The Mattapan Democrat yesterday said he's comfortable with allocating public money for infrastructure, but not with ''expanded definitions of what infrastructure would be.''
After the Patriots deal was announced last month offering $70 million in infrastructure with a $1 million annual team payment to the state, Finneran said the Sox will be held to similar expectations.
''There have to be revenue streams to repay some of the investment,'' Finneran said at the time. ''That's a given at this point.''
Governor Paul Cellucci may be a little more flexible.
''Obviously the governor would be supportive of, at a minimum, whatever infrastructure was necessary to support the new park,'' Cellucci spokeswoman Ilene Hoffer said.
But the Red Sox, who have been following the Patriots' saga for years, know where Finneran stands.
''Yes, we have listened carefully,'' Harrington said. ''We have watched what they have done.''
He also said the public aid requirement would be ''fashioned in accordance'' with the views of government leaders.
The Sox also are likely to ask the city to help them acquire and pay for 14 acres of land, which could cost about $65 million. Another $35 million could be needed to prepare the parcels for construction, according to one source who was briefed by the team.
Red Sox CEO John Harrington insisted the financing package is not complete.
However, he did say the team expects to fund the $350 million ballpark privately - and without any new equity partners - using down payments on luxury seating to help leverage financing.
That $350 million figure includes all construction, development, architectural, environmental and legal costs.
Two parking garages - one on Brookline Avenue that would hold 2,160 cars and another on Boylston Street holding 600 cars - would be built for $80 million. It is not clear who would pay for those structures.
Altogether, the total cost of the project will be more than $545 million.
''It's unclear what type of legislative relief we'd need,'' said Robert F. Walsh, the project manager for the Red Sox.
Asked when they would need Beacon Hill approval for any funding in order to meet the tight timeframe - groundbreaking is slated for the fall of 2000 - Walsh said: ''As soon as possible.''
Senate President Thomas F. Birmingham appears anxious to take action.
''The ball's in their court,'' Birmingham said of the Red Sox, ''and I think they should come present their case to us.''
Meg Vaillancourt and Brian MacQuarrie of the Globe Staff contributed to this report.
