Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to take up White Stadium case

"The legal battle over the contentious plan to redevelop White Stadium in Franklin Park is heading to the highest court in Massachusetts. The plan, spearheaded by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, involves a public-private partnership between the city and Boston Legacy FC, a new professional women's soccer team. Together, the city and the team are preparing to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to build a new, state-of-the-art stadium that will be used by both the soccer team and Boston Public Schools students."

"But opposition from some residents and others has been fierce and sustained. The Emerald Necklace Conservancy, a local environmental nonprofit, and a group known as the Franklin Park Defenders are at the forefront. Opponents sued the city, arguing that the project would violate state laws that cover the use of public parkland. After a trial earlier this year, a Superior Court judge ruled in favor of the city, allowing the project to proceed."

Boston plans a public-private redevelopment of White Stadium in Franklin Park with Mayor Michelle Wu and Boston Legacy FC partnering to build a new stadium costing hundreds of millions of dollars. The stadium would host Boston Legacy FC and Boston Public Schools students. Opponents including the Emerald Necklace Conservancy and the Franklin Park Defenders sued, arguing state parkland laws would be violated. A Superior Court judge ruled for the city, but opponents appealed to the Massachusetts Appeals Court and the case was added to the Supreme Judicial Court docket. The conservancy urged protection of public recreation land and proposed a fully public alternative.

Read at Boston.com