Photo: WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Emerald Necklace Conservancy, the private non-profit group that protects Franklin Park and other Boston parks, is offering an alternative to the City of Boston's pricey renovation plans for White Stadium.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announced a lease agreement with Boston Unity Soccer Partners last month. The deal was a major step towards transforming the deteriorated White Stadium into a state-of-the-art sports venue for Boston's National Women's Soccer League team and Boston Public Schools students.
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According to the latest figures, the city's portion of the $200 million price tag would be an estimated $91 million, a large jump from the initial projection of $50 million.
The Emerald Necklace Conservancy, which has filed a lawsuit to stop the renovation because of environmental and parking concerns, argues it would be much cheaper and better for neighbors to renovate the stadium just for public school use.
"Many neighborhood associations for months have been asking for an option for a public renovation," ENC President Karen Mauney-Brodek told WBZ NewsRadio Wednesday.
The conservancy says the estimated cost of an all-public stadium would only be $28.9 million.
"It is become increasingly clear that the project proposed is both expensive and the costs are escalating," Mauney-Brodek said. "We believe that it’s very, very important to support and protect public park land, and we believe it can be done far more affordably."
WBZ NewsRadio has reached out to the City of Boston for comment.
WBZ's Madison Rogers (@MadisonWBZ) reports.