Photo By J. Alexander Dolan showcases the site of what was once expected to be BOS Nation FC's home stadium. However, due to various setbacks, the completion date has been pushed back to the spring or summer of 2026. The City of Boston shared this updated construction timeline during a public meeting on Thursday.

Construction Timeline and Delays

The construction timeline now unfolds as follows: from Winter 2024 to Early Spring 2025, the demolition phase will take place. This crucial step will clear the way for the subsequent construction phase, which is scheduled from Spring 2025 to Winter 2026. Finally, by Spring/Summer 2026, the construction is expected to be complete. It's important to note that the original plan was to have the stadium ready in time for the start of the NWSL season in March 2026. But permitting issues, transportation planning, and design changes have all contributed to these delays. When the Boston Parks Commission approved the demolition in August, the Mayor's Office stated that the city was working on signing the lease by early fall, with demolition starting soon after. An updated timeline from an October transportation meeting marked the start of demolition and construction in the late fall. Despite this, the partnership has yet to sign a lease, which is a necessary step before demolition can begin. City officials at the Thursday meeting assured that the lease and construction management plans are being finalized. Additionally, a live camera feed will soon be available on the city's website to provide real-time updates on the construction site.

Tree Removal and Planting Plan

The public meeting primarily centered around the city's tree removal plan. Before demolition can commence, 145 trees around White Stadium will be removed. Out of these, 30 trees are considered healthy and will be removed. The remaining trees are in poor condition, invasive, non-native, or causing structural conflicts. In an effort to offset the loss of these trees, the city plans to plant 500 trees in Franklin Park over the next ten years. Specifically, 67 of these trees will be planted within the project site on "day one". This shows the city's commitment to maintaining the ecological balance.

Residents' Concerns and Responses

Boston residents, park goers, and environmental advocacy groups have expressed strong opposition to the tree removal plan. Many believe that the removal will have a more negative impact on the current and future generations of park users compared to any potential benefits from the new trees. A BPS contractor has estimated that it will take about 50 years for the new trees to grow to a size equivalent to the ones currently surrounding the stadium. Team representatives were not available for comment during the meeting, and BOS Nation FC did not respond to requests for comment regarding their plans if the stadium is not playable when it enters its inaugural season. This lack of response has left many questions unanswered and has added to the uncertainty surrounding the future of the club.