Boston Globe
By Casey Ross
June 19, 2009
A California studio developer yesterday launched plans to build a $147 million motion-picture complex on 30 acres at the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station. International Studio Group said it plans to break ground in November and by next spring will be in full construction of a 600,000-square-foot facility for movies, television shows, video games, and other programs.
“What we’re hoping to do is help build up the entire entertainment industry in the state,’’ said Allan Kassirer, a principal with International Studio. “If the state remains committed to it, there is no reason we can’t grow high-paying jobs and retain talented young people at local colleges.’’
The 12-stage studio will be part of SouthField, a proposed mini-city on the shuttered air base that the Patrick administration this week said would probably be the beneficiary of a multimillion-dollar road construction project intended help the development get going. ISG’s financial partner in the deal is LNR Property Corp., which is the master developer of the larger project.