By Adam Swift

The controversy over the redevelopment of White Stadium has become one of the first disputed issues between Mayor Michelle Wu and recently announced challenger Josh Kraft.

Demolition is underway at the stadium, making way for the proposed $200 million public-private project between the city and the Boston Unity Soccer Partners group. The cost of the project will be split between the city and the private group. The renovated stadium would host a women’s professional soccer team, which is scheduled to begin play in the National Women’s Soccer League in 2026. According to Wu, the renovated stadium will be used by the Boston Public Schools about 90 percent of the time.

However, the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, an environmental nonprofit group, is suing to stop the project. This week, the group criticized recently publicized emails that they said showed there were behind the scenes negotiations with Boston Unity Soccer Partners to bring a soccer team to the stadium before an RFP for the renovation of the stadium was issued.

“The details reported today regarding the secretive and rigged RFP process between Mayor Wu’s office and Boston Unity Partners is extremely concerning, and demonstrates misdirected energy and the wrong priorities, with BPS kids left behind, a community feeling ignored, and Boston taxpayers holding the bag,” said Kraft. On Tuesday, Wu stated that there was a full RFP process that followed all the standard timelines established by state and city law. Wu added that the city was contacted by the members of the ownership group to keep the city in the loop about the potential to bid for a new team and that the city has been supportive of bringing in as many new opportunities as possible. A spokesperson for Boston Unity Soccer Partners stated that in pursuit of the NWSL Boston franchise, and a suitable venue for the team’s home games, Boston Unity engaged in preliminary and exploratory discussion with the city,  and that such exploratory discussions are typical of many municipal processes, and a completely fair and open Request for Proposals process followed.

Last weekend, members of the Franklin Park Defenders, a group of advocates and neighbors opposed to the White Stadium project, gathered at the stadium to protest the demolition of the stadium and the associated cutting down of trees in Franklin Park. “Despite mounting public opposition to a planned professional soccer stadium in Boston’s historic Franklin Park, construction crews began demolishing White Stadium and clear-cutting trees in the park Friday afternoon,” stated a press release from the Franklin Park Defenders. “Dozens of mature trees have been cut down, and crews have begun demolishing the stadium’s grandstands.”

According to the group, half of the Boston City Council called for an immediate pause on White Stadium demolition and construction until the city releases a fully public renovation option and solidifies other missing plans and commitments.  “The Emerald Necklace Conservancy has proposed such an alternative concept: a high-quality, fully public renovation of White Stadium that would avoid the many negative impacts of building a professional sports venue in the middle of historic Franklin Park,” the group stated. “

A detailed cost estimate conducted by Vermeulens, Inc. included in the report found that Boston could renovate White Stadium as a high-quality, fully public high school stadium for $28.9 million — a fraction of the $200 million cost of the professional soccer stadium plans, at least $100 million of which will be covered by Boston taxpayers.” According to the city’s website, the goal of renovating White Stadium is to establish it as a premier venue for the Boston Public Schools Athletics Program and a vibrant community hub serving Franklin Park and surrounding communities. The rehabilitation project will expand public access from 9 weekday hours to 15 hours a day, 7 days a week, according to city planning officials. According to the administration, the stadium, built in 1949, currently lacks the necessary facilities and amenities to serve as a comprehensive citywide resource and center for BPS Athletics.

“Through a strategic private partnership, this generational investment in White Stadium is designed to enhance its role within Franklin Park, ensuring greater public access, expanded community programming, and enriched athletic opportunities, all while respecting the historic legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted’s design,” the city stated on the project website page. Members of the Franklin Park Defenders also had a standout planned in front of Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s office on Wednesday afternoon to fight against what they stated was the privatization of White Stadium and Franklin Park.