BOSTON - Wednesday, April 26, 2023 - Mayor
Michelle Wu today announced the release of a request for proposals (RFP) to
renovate, rebuild, and reimagine White Stadium in Franklin Park. The RFP
seeks to bring new resources and a new partnership to White Stadium that
will realize its full potential as a hub for the Boston Public Schools
(BPS) athletics program, enhance athletic offerings to BPS students, and
bring significant benefits to Franklin Park and the surrounding
communities.
“In a championship sports town, our young
people deserve to have access to world class facilities and programs for
their growth and development,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “This
renovation of White Stadium will restore it as a treasure for athletes
across the state and will help make Boston the best city in the country to
raise a family.”
The City and BPS envision revitalizing White
Stadium as a centerpiece of BPS athletics benefitting Boston’s students.
The stadium has served as a home field for many Boston athletes and
community members since it was constructed in 1945. However, White Stadium
is currently in disrepair and in need of revitalization. A fire destroyed
the interior of the East Grandstand, which is not usable. The West
Grandstand does not meet modern accessibility and building code
requirements to serve all Boston students and communities and lacks the
spaces and amenities needed to be a Citywide resource for BPS athletics.
The RFP seeks a qualified partner to provide
needed capital investment to make White Stadium a high-quality venue for
BPS athletics and other events, along with an operational program that
enhances BPS athletics, activates Franklin Park, and provides a valued and
welcome resource for community stakeholders. The selected partner would
receive a 10-year lease with potential renewals of the West Grandstand and
the right to license the use of the field and public areas of the East
Grandstand for a set number of events annually during the term of the
lease. The selected respondent will bear the costs of maintaining the field
in any condition required for their proposed use.
"We are excited to explore this
opportunity to give BPS athletes access to state-of-the-art athletic
facilities,” said BPS Superintendent Mary Skipper. “This is a
chance to reimagine White Stadium as a hub for BPS Athletics, and we
appreciate the City’s efforts to reimagine the incredible potential of the
stadium to support our student athletes in building leadership skills on
and off the field."
Given White Stadium’s importance to Franklin
Park and the surrounding communities, proposals must include a narrative of
the community benefits supported by the rehabilitation and redevelopment,
including any benefits to the local community beyond those generated by the
proposed program itself. Those seeking to submit bids to the RFP are asked
to submit a preliminary transportation plan that addresses the details of
how people will travel to and from the stadium for events and how they
intend to mitigate parking and traffic impacts in the surrounding
community. Additionally, they will be required to complete a detailed plan
acceptable to the Boston Transportation Department (BTD) prior to entering
any agreement. A thorough community process will take place in the coming
months to ensure that the selected respondent and program benefit Franklin
Park and the surrounding communities.
"White Stadium has been activated in
empowering ways to uplift culture, community, and unity throughout the
years,” said Chief of Community Engagement Brianna Millor.
“We’ve seen this through the use of White Stadium for events ranging from
the celebration of Boston’s Caribbean community to addressing the COVID-19
crisis with vaccination clinics. We look forward to engaging with community
members in conversation through listening sessions to collectively
reimagine White Stadium so that it remains a space in our community where
everyone can take advantage of this beloved space in Franklin Park.”
Additional information, requirements, terms
and conditions, and all other related information is set forth in the RFP
documents on the City's purchasing
website and supplier
portal. Proposals must be
submitted by 4:30 p.m. on June 26, 2023.
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