Photo: WBZ NewsRadio Photo Archive
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The John Adams Courthouse in Boston was packed with Franklin Park advocates as a court hearing took place regarding the White Stadium renovations.
The stadium, which is set to be the home stadium for Boston’s new professional women's soccer team, Boston Legacy FC, has been a long-standing source of controversy for many residents around Franklin Park.
Plaintiffs from the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, such as Melissa Hamel, were prepared to present arguments against the project and claimed that the stadium plan would have a huge impact on protected land.
“[We’re hoping] that they are going to interpret the law the way we have, which is that Franklin Park is protected parkland, it has been since its inception,” said Hamel. “I support women's soccer. I would love to see it being played in Boston, but this is not the location for it.”
Several advocates for the park have said the renovation violates Article 97, which established a right to a clean environment for protected parkland. Chief Justice Kimberly Budd questioned the plans of attorneys representing the City of Boston and project backers.
“That they are going to interpret the law the way we have, which is that Franklin Park is protected parkland. It has been since its inception,” said Budd.
Meantime, members of the Franklin Park Coalition, like Kevin Batt, are still in support of the project.
“The city has been very responsive to our suggestions for adjustments as we go along to what the overall stadium design has been,” said Batt. “We think that they will continue to be responsive.”
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.