Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — A judge has ruled that renovations plans for White Stadium in Franklin Park can continue, and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu calls it a “huge victory.”
Wu held a press conference in Franklin Park Thursday morning to celebrate the judge’s ruling from the day before.
“I’m so excited that today, we are able to move forward because the lawsuit has been settled,” Wu said.
The city has already begun construction on the decades-old facility to turn it into the home of Boston Legacy FC, Boston’s professional women’s soccer team. The stadium would also be available to Boston Public Schools students.
News of the renovations sparked major opposition, with many community members arguing that the new stadium would disrupt Franklin Park and have negative environmental impacts, such as the removal of over 100 trees.
The Emerald Necklace Conservancy and others filed a lawsuit against the renovations over a year ago, arguing that the demolition work on the stadium violates state law by privatizing a public park on public land.
Judge Matthew Nestor sided with the city, ruling that the stadium does not qualify as public parkland and therefore does not violate state law.
“I want to thank the courts and the judges for twice affirming that this is a vital project for the city of Boston that can proceed,” Wu said. “I will not apologize for investing nearly $100 million into this community, into Black and brown communities, into our students, and into the Boston Public Schools. We deserve this.”
Avery Esdaile, senior athletic director of BPS, also celebrated the decision at the press conference.
“We’ve really not only taken on working on White Stadium, but figuring out how we make Boston a space where youth sports is available for all and can happen for all,” Esdaile said.
The plaintiffs said in a statement that they are disappointed but not surprised, and the fight for Franklin Park is not over.
“Leasing a new and bigger White Stadium to wealthy private sports investors is not the right plan for our kids or for Franklin Park. This is our park; the public’s park. We pay for it with our taxes, and have forever,” they said.
WBZ’s James Rojas (@JamesRojas.bsky.social) reports.