Boston City Councilor Julia Mejia is urging the administration of Mayor Michelle Wu to provide a comprehensive cost update for the city’s share of the renovations planned for White Stadium. This demand comes in light of ongoing budget constraints and a resolution Mejia intends to introduce at the upcoming City Council meeting.
Mejia’s resolution calls for updated cost estimates for the $200 million public-private project aimed at transforming White Stadium into a facility for a new professional soccer team, Boston Legacy FC, as well as for local student-athletes. During her reelection campaign, Mayor Wu committed to disclosing these figures by the end of the year, but the details remain undisclosed as the deadline approaches.
Boston is currently facing significant fiscal challenges, including a capped property tax levy and declining commercial property values. In her resolution, Mejia emphasized the importance of understanding the project’s financial implications before the city allocates substantial public resources. “Accurate cost estimates are essential for evaluating both financial and programmatic consequences,” she stated.
The Wu administration initially outlined plans to release a cost estimate by the end of 2023. In a statement, the mayor’s office confirmed that the complete bid packages for White Stadium were published in October 2023, with evaluations expected to conclude in early 2026. To date, the city has spent $12 million on demolition and construction, with an additional $76 million in subcontracts awarded.
Despite these expenditures, the estimated taxpayer cost has recently risen from the initial projection of $50 million to around $91 million. This escalation is attributed, in part, to increased expenses from federal tariffs on construction materials. An internal city document disclosed by former mayoral candidate Josh Kraft last June suggested taxpayer costs could potentially reach $172 million, a figure Wu described as a “worst-case scenario.”
The project has drawn criticism from community stakeholders concerned about its impact. Mejia argues that the city must provide clarity on financial commitments to ensure proper oversight of the administration’s plans. Additionally, requests for internal cost analyses have faced delays or denials, raising transparency concerns within the City Council.
As the City Council prepares to finalize tax rates for the upcoming year, Mayor Wu continues to advocate for legislative changes that would permit the city to raise commercial tax rates to alleviate residential tax burdens. This push comes amid predictions of a 13% increase in property taxes for single-family homeowners.
Mejia plans to hold a press conference on December 13, 2023, at City Hall, where she will be joined by community groups, including the Franklin Park Defenders and Emerald Necklace Conservancy. These organizations have filed a lawsuit aimed at halting the White Stadium project, advocating for a more cost-effective plan focused solely on high school use, estimated at $64.6 million.
The ongoing dialogue around the White Stadium renovations highlights the need for transparency in municipal spending, particularly in light of Boston’s current financial landscape. As the City Council meeting approaches, the community awaits further information on this contentious project.
