Boston

2 Boston City Council hearings today over new White Stadium concerns

There's been growing criticism about the plans to renovate Franklin Park's White Stadium to be the new home for BOS Nation FC.

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The Boston City Council held hearings Wednesday amid new concerns over the plans to renovate White Stadium for Boston's National Women's Soccer League franchise.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announced in December that the city had reached a lease deal with Boston Unity Soccer Partners to use the Franklin Park stadium as the new home for BOS Nation FC.

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It was previously revealed that rising construction costs could push the city's public contribution to $91 million, up from the $50 million original estimate. In one of Wednesday's hearings, Boston Chief of Operations Dion Irish said the cost has reached $100 million.

There's been growing criticism about the plan and its hefty price tag. There's also an ongoing lawsuit against the project.

Now, park advocates, who planned to speak out at both hearings Wednesday, say they are concerned about the removal of dozens of trees.

In a statement released by the Franklin Park Defenders Wednesday afternoon, advocates criticized the growing price tag for the project, which they maintain isn't what the neighborhood needs.

“This plan isn’t about Boston student athletes – instead it is a move to line the pockets of a group of enormously wealthy investors, who will reap ten years of tax benefits, while the residents of Boston assume at least $100 million in debt, to turn White Stadium into a white elephant," said Dorchester resident Marti Glynn.

The ownership group behind expansion NWSL team BOS Nation has signed a lease to use White Stadium in Boston's Franklin Park, a deal that brings a massive upgrade for the Boston Public Schools facility. Follow NBC10 Boston: https://instagram.com/nbc10boston https://tiktok.com/@nbc10boston https://facebook.com/NBC10Boston https://twitter.com/NBC10Boston

Advocates with the Emerald Necklace Conservancy say neighbors received a notice stating that 145 trees surrounding the stadium would be torn down on Monday.

Reports say crews are already on site preparing to demolish the facility that was built in the 1940s, but the conservancy is proposing an alternative renovation of the stadium that would avoid the negative impacts around it.

Wednesday's city hall meetings at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. were set up due to the new concerns about the renovation.

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