As White Stadium demolition begins, Boston residents share frustration at community involvement, cost

Boston residents aired their frustration this week as the city began demolition in Franklin Park as the next step of a major renovation of the historic White Stadium.

Dozens of Bostonians packed into the city council chamber on Wednesday for a day-long marathon of public comment — mostly against — the stadium plan. Many wore orange T-shirts reading, "Keep Franklin Park Public." Only a handful spoke in favor of the city's plan.

The public-private plan — which would reimagine the stadium for both community use and as a home pitch for a professional women's soccer team — has drawn vocal opposition.

Mayor Michelle Wu argues the plan provides necessary funding to renovate the crumbling stadium, which is currently operated by Boston Public Schools. The Emerald Necklace Conservancy along with neighborhood advocates have sued the city saying it is trying to transfer public land to a private party. (The trial is set to begin March 18.)

Residents at Wednesday's hearing were upset there wasn't more neighborhood involvement in the plan.

Melissa Hamel, a 45-year resident of Jamaica Plain and plaintiff in the current suit, said she knew the city timeline for the project was inching closer. Still, she said the news of the demolition starting this week was a "gut punch."

"We don't understand why the state continues to force this plan, this private partnership, down our throats when so many community members are against it," Hamel said.

The Boston Planning & Development Agency's deputy chief of urban design said the group has tried to be transparent and involve the neighborhood, holding more than 60 community meetings.

"We care deeply about delivering something that benefits students and benefits the community," Diana Fernandez Bibeau said at the hearing.

However, Karen Mauney-Brodek, president of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, said there's a difference between asking people to provide feedback on an already-designed proposal and communities having power to make meaningful decisions.

"The city of Boston has a tradition of sometimes starting off on the wrong foot, but maybe getting back on the right one," Mauney-Brodek said.

Last month, the Boston Globe reported that the estimated price tag on the project shot up to nearly $200 million — nearly double the original cost, half of which the city is on the hook for.

Councilor Benjamin Weber, who represents a district bordering Franklin Park, said it's up to the mayor's office to defend construction costs, but that a renovated White Stadium would be a great resource for everyone in the city.

"The mayor's office has made a good case for this being the proposal that's going to finally get [the renovation] done after decades of neglect," Weber said. "What we're seeing today is a culmination of a year of engagement on the issue."

Critics argued the funds could be better spent on other public priorities, including a less expensive renovation of the existing facility that does not include the professional soccer league's involvement.

"This project is the antithesis of what Franklin Park stands for," said Carlen Singmaster, a spokesperson for the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, in a statement. "It prioritizes private profit over public good, at a significant ecological cost."

The city expects to take out more than 100 trees for the demolition, according to a press statement.

At-Large City Councilor Julia Mejia, who acted as the meeting's president, said she would file a resolution for councilors to vote on whether or not they supported the project at the next public meeting.