BOSTON — Plans to renovate a historic stadium moved forward as the project’s investors hosted their own community input session Tuesday afternoon.
Last year, the city of Boston announced plans to bring in Boston Unity Soccer. The women’s professional soccer team is currently offering to finance half of a $100 million public-private partnership to renovate White Stadium and the surrounding area. The stadium currently hosts athletic events for Boston Public Schools.
In recent months, the city has held a series of public input sessions. The proposed renovations were met with mixed reviews by residents. Earlier this year, a lawsuit was filed to stop the development, but a judge ruled the trial could move forward as the lawsuit works its way through the courts.
‘We listen. The city is listening.’
“We believe deeply in the power of sports, especially women’s sports, to be a force for good both on and off the field,” said Boston Unity Soccer Partner, Jennifer Epstein.
NWSL Boston
On Tuesday, the group held their own public input session where residents could ask lead investors questions one-on-one. “All this community participation continues to make this project better and better,” she said. “We are listening. The city is listening. Many changes are being made to our plans.”
Pamela Jones is one of the people who signed the lawsuit, but says she is in favor of the proposed renovations. Jones said her issues are with the city and their handling of this process. “I am angry about the way the mayor of Boston is engaging community members,” Jones said. “It was like, this is what it is, take it or leave it. That didn’t sit well with me.”
Jones said she has attended nearly every public input session the city has held on the development and has worked to learn more about the impact this project will have on her family and community. “There will be a lot of changes with this project, and I think everyone should have a voice. We can all find a medium to agree on what is best for the community and also for the students of Boston Public School. ”
