Boston mayoral candidate Josh Kraft again blasted Mayor Michelle Wu's handling of the White Stadium renovation project on Monday, saying costs have spiraled. But he didn't provide on-the-record evidence to back up his claim.
Speaking in front of the Franklin Park stadium's crumbling facade, Kraft said the city was now on the hook for $172 million to cover its portion of the rebuild. That's far higher than the $91 million Wu's office estimated in December, or the $50 million price tag announced when the Boston Planning and Development Agency approved permits for the plan in July 2024. Boston Legacy FC, a new Professional Women's Soccer League expansion team, will pay the other half of construction in return for reserved field time and other concessions.
Kraft declined to offer details about his claim, which he told reporters came “from folks on the inside at City Hall, but I think you should talk to the city.”
Mayor Wu addressed the issue with reporters Monday night at a separate event.
"Not sure where those numbers are coming from," she said. "I would love to see where he's getting those."
A spokesperson for the city did not confirm Kraft's figure or provide an updated project cost estimate. But the city did provide a document that appears to show the cost still stands at $90.1 million.
"The City is still in the process of completing the design plans for both the East and West Grandstands, which must be completed before going to bid, and incorporating the impacts of new federal policies," the spokesperson wrote.
City officials have previously said the cost of the project has steadily risen because of design changes to accommodate community input and construction industry inflation.
The spokesperson also said Boston Unity Soccer Partners, owners of the Legacy, is "responsible for more than half of the construction project and will pay the full cost of operating and maintaining the facility during the entire term of the lease."
Kraft, the former long-time head of the Boston Boys and Girls Clubs and son of New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft, is seen as Wu’s primary challenger in the city’s mayoral race.
"The City is still in the process of completing the design plans for both the East and West Grandstands, which must be completed before going to bid, and incorporating the impacts of new federal policies," the spokesperson wrote.
City officials have previously said the cost of the project has steadily risen because of design changes to accommodate community input and construction industry inflation.
The spokesperson also said Boston Unity Soccer Partners, owners of the Legacy, is "responsible for more than half of the construction project and will pay the full cost of operating and maintaining the facility during the entire term of the lease."
Kraft, the former long-time head of the Boston Boys and Girls Clubs and son of New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft, is seen as Wu’s primary challenger in the city’s mayoral race.
WBUR
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