What to Know About This Week’s Trial to Defend Public Land Protections for Franklin Park & White Stadium

The future of White Stadium in Boston’s Franklin Park, the site of a proposed new professional soccer stadium and entertainment complex, will be decided during a trial in Suffolk Superior Court that begins on Tuesday, March 18. Here’s what you need to know:

Trial Details

The White Stadium trial is scheduled to run daily on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and could last up to two weeks. It will take place in Suffolk County Superior Court: 3 Pemberton Square, Boston, MA 02108.

Interested in attending the trial? Citizen plaintiffs in the case, along with other concerned residents and park advocates, including members of the Franklin Park Defenders group, will gather outside the courthouse each day at 8:30 a.m. to enter the court together.

Background on the White Stadium Lawsuit

This lawsuit, which was originally filed in February 2024 by 20 citizen plaintiffs and the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, concerns the proposal by the City of Boston and a private group of sports investors, Boston Unity Soccer Partners (BUSP), to demolish 95% of the existing White Stadium and build a new, significantly larger for-profit professional sports stadium, entertainment venue, and multiple restaurants and retail shops in its place.

The new stadium complex, which would be significantly larger than the existing high school sports stadium, sits within a 14-acre parcel of constitutionally-protected public open space that is owned by the George Robert White Fund, a permanent public charitable trust for the benefit of the people of Boston.

The lawsuit makes two key claims.

First, the lawsuit alleges that the private stadium development proposal violates Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution, which requires a vote of the State Legislature in order to change the use of public park and recreation land. No such vote by the Legislature has taken place, and the City of Boston and BUSP maintain that White Stadium and the surrounding parkland that would be redeveloped are not subject to Article 97 protections. But for the last 20 years, White Stadium and the land around it was specifically listed as protected in the City of Boston’s Open Space Plan.

Second, the lawsuit alleges that the lease and stadium use agreement between the City of Boston and BUSP breach the terms of the George Robert White Fund. For instance, the Fund prohibits “joint undertakings,” which the proposed agreement and lease between the City of Boston and BUSP qualifies as.

White Stadium Redevelopment Project Status

Recently-revealed documents show that BUSP’s lead investor, Jennifer Epstein, approached city officials about the team leasing White Stadium months before the idea was presented to the public. After BUSP and the city signed a detailed letter of intent codifying the terms of a potential lease agreement, the city issued a public request for proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of White Stadium and acres of surrounding public open space. That RFP, which included key details and requirements that had already been negotiated with the team’s investors, received only one bidder: BUSP.

Since the project was announced, it’s been met with growing concern from neighbors and park advocates. But last month, even after half of the Boston City Council called for an immediate pause to the project, construction crews began demolishing White Stadium and cutting down dozens of mature trees in Franklin Park. The soccer team aims to begin playing games in March 2026.

However, the White Stadium redevelopment project has not been fully put out to bid, and the full cost of construction will not be clear until at least July 15, when construction bids for the City’s share of the project are due. While it was initially described by city and team officials as costing as little as $30 million, the project’s cost has since ballooned to over $200 million, with the City and Boston Public Schools responsible for at least $100 million.

Background on Opposition to White Stadium Redevelopment Project

Over the past year, the Franklin Park Defenders movement has grown to include more than 400 residents, community leaders, and other concerned citizens, as well as 20 neighborhood associations and other organizations representing Boston residents who have signed a statement in support of a fully-public White Stadium rather than the BUSP proposal. In addition to the legal concerns expressed in the lawsuit, neighboring residents and park advocates have expressed opposition to the project over issues ranging from increased air, noise and light pollution, increased litter, the removal of 145 mature trees, increased traffic and parking restrictions, and decreased student and community access.

Pro soccer games and other private events would displace BPS students and the community from White Stadium and surrounding parts of Franklin Park on 20 annual game days, 20 practice days, and additional concert and event days - more than half of all weekends during the summer, when residents use the park the most. BPS football teams would be displaced from the stadium entirely during their entire regular season, because the soccer league doesn't want their cleats on the field.

The project has not received any MEPA environmental review, which is a requirement under Article 97 of the State Constitution, and which would include the consideration of alternatives to the current proposal. The requirement for MEPA review is triggered due to the project’s traffic impacts, the rezoning of the stadium parcel, the land’s change in use, the scale of activities and construction, and the project’s impact on environmental justice neighborhoods, but proponents have claimed that the project is exempt from the need for MEPA review.

Background on the Alternative: a Fully-Public Renovation of White Stadium

Neighbors and parks advocates support an alternative plan to renovate White Stadium as a public high school facility for BPS student-athletes, at a much lower cost to taxpayers and the environment.

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. 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.

There are numerous examples of high school and even college sports stadiums being built or renovated for similar amounts. Stadium expert Andrew Zimbalist states that “a brand new high school soccer and football stadium should cost between $5 million and $20 million, depending on the specifications.”

Statements from Plaintiffs

“For the last year, Franklin Park’s neighbors have been standing up for environmental justice in our public park. A few wealthy, powerful people are trying to profit off of Franklin Park, in violation of our state’s laws. I’m already heartbroken just thinking about the trees that have been cut down — we have to protect our natural spaces. If this massive redevelopment project is allowed to go forward, our communities will continue pay the price. This is the public’s park, and we’re grateful to finally have our day in court to defend it.” — Dr. Jean McGuire, a Dorchester resident, former Boston School Committee member, and plaintiff

“After years of neglect by city officials, White Stadium desperately needs to be renovated to meet the needs of Boston students and the public. We all want that. But building a massive new stadium for the benefit of private investors, and shutting out the public on dozens of warm-weather game, practice, and event days, is not the right plan for Franklin Park or our communities. We hope the court will protect the public’s right to the continued public use and enjoyment of Franklin Park and its public facilities, including White Stadium.” — Renee Stacey Welch, a Jamaica Plain resident and plaintiff

“There is still time for a better solution: a fully-public renovation of White Stadium that prioritizes public school and parks use, and avoids the many flaws of the pro soccer proposal. We'd love to support a women's soccer team somewhere else in Greater Boston — just not in Franklin Park, a historic park surrounded by dense urban neighborhoods that is highly used by the residents and school children whose access will be restricted by a professional sports complex. We urge BUSP's investors to take a step back and reconsider your plans to steamroll over our community's concerns.” — Melissa Hamel, a Jamaica Plain resident and plaintiff