Photo: Mike Macklin/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Another speed bump has arrived for the White Stadium renovation project: this time, in the form of dollar signs.
While the price tag for Boston taxpayers was originally set at an estimate of $50 million, the newly projected cost for the stadium overhaul has jumped to $135 million.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu held a press conference on Friday, citing inflation and increased costs of construction materials for the price hike. However, Mayor Wu is still backing the project.
“I want to be loud and clear here, our Boston kids deserve nothing less than the best, and we are going to continue to fight for them to have every possible opportunity,” said Mayor Wu. “This creates the chance for the facilities to match their talent and their potential, for the resources to be there to fund that year, after year, after year.”
The historic stadium in Boston’s Franklin Park was built in the 1950s. After years of decline, redevelopment efforts are underway to turn it into a student athletic center and host for Boston’s women's soccer team, Boston Legacy FC.
A group of residents known as the Franklin Park Defenders has been speaking out against the construction, and says this newest revelation is yet another reason the project needs to be stopped.
“I’m not surprised, but I'm very disappointed. We’re thinking this is very irresponsible of the City to move forward on this project,” said Melissa Hamel, member of the Franklin Park Defenders. “We have a lot of doubts that this 135 million dollars is the end. We’ve seen it go from 15 to 135 million. I'm sorry, but I'm a little skeptical.”
WBZ NewsRadio’s Mike Macklin reports.