To the Editor:

The revitalization of Franklin Park’s White Stadium and the Playstead is a significant step toward enhancing the quality of life for the surrounding neighborhoods, the city, and visitors to Boston. The rehabilitation of White Stadium into a state-of-the-art facility for Boston Public Schools (BPS) and residents and its potential to become Boston’s home of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) are key aspects of this revitalization.

Frederick Law Olmsted, Franklin Park’s architect, created an evolving landscape of openness that reflects an appreciation of nature and provides an escape from the harsh realities of urban life. His transcendentalist vision anticipated an area to accommodate 10,000 people, which is the projected number for the current stadium proposal. His vision is as relevant today as it was in the 19th century.

The current disconnect between municipal and private interests and the surrounding neighborhoods is not revolutionary. Olmsted expected, and welcomed, “political engagement.” However, the current process reflects decades-old development pressures that steamroll residents with dramatic changes to the landscape, character, access, and affordability of Boston’s traditional neighborhoods.

All is not lost, though. This project can create a local and regional economic engine with a new industry, women’s professional soccer. Hosting the Boston Unity team is an honor for Boston and a beacon of the city’s future. But the current process, renderings, and construction plans should lean a little more toward public interest for the long term. At this point, a temporary location for one season might be prudent until Boston Unity, like the BPS athletes, has a worthy sports and recreational complex
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The current proposal is analogous to being gifted a new car with just a few dents. You’ll take the car but you’d prefer one without dents. Still, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our city, state, and region. Designing a stadium that balances the needs of private investors and the community is vital to ensuring that White Stadium and the Playstead will remain viable regardless of Boston Unity’s success. Boston Unity Soccer could outgrow the stadium before the expiration of the lease and, for financial reasons, be compelled to find another location with sufficient infrastructure.

The deterioration of 77-year-old White Stadium has been commensurate with the decades-long dearth of public investment, genuine engagement, and leadership. The current planners were wise to reschedule a May 22 Zoom meeting until May 30. In the interim, they might consider a face-to-face public hearing to address unanswered questions and concerns from stakeholders to seal the deal. The objective is to have as many “hands on deck” as possible before final adoption.

There are several outstanding issues that should be resolved before this proposal moves ahead. The practicality of opening a virtually new stadium without more on-site parking is utopian-like at best and absurd at worst. Expanding residential parking permits throughout the surrounding neighborhoods would go a long way toward establishing equity in protected parking city-wide. However, the city’s planners have rejected any expansion at this time. There has been no design rendering that reflects the relocation of track-and-field events. Planners suggest these elements will be introduced before the final rendering.

Slowing this process before any final adoption would be a prudent move. This project should be pursued regardless of these public/private partnerships; only then can Boston ascend to higher heights, utilizing its assets, heritage, present, and future to become a revitalized global magnet for tourism, education, new growth industries, and a practical and comfortable urban life.

Barry Lawton
Dorchester