RelatedMayor Wu defends White Stadium renovation following Ed Flynn's calls to abandon project
The lease takes into account that pushback, with contingencies making it clear that completion of the project as a home for the soccer team -- either in time or at all -- is not set in stone.
It remains unclear whether the team's entry into the NWSL will be delayed or the team will play temporarily in an alternate site, possibly at Boston University's Nickerson Field.
Should the team's mission to complete the project be derailed for legal or financial reasons, provisions in the lease include guarantees that the team will be responsible for paying the city up to $45 million so the city can finish renovations.
"White Stadium is a generational opportunity to anchor citywide youth sports, revitalize community programming, and bolster our beloved, historic Franklin Park-all while creating a home for the City of Champions' newest professional team," said Mayor Michelle Wu. "Thank you to Boston Unity Soccer Partners for their commitment to our students and community, and their comprehensive investment to make this dream a reality."
Included in the team's share of construction costs is rebuilding the West Grandstand and building a restaurant with a liquor license just outside the stadium.
The initial lease is for 10 years, with two 10-year extensions. After a prorated $200,000 rent in the first season, the team will pay an annual rent of $400,000 in year two, with annual increases of at least 3 percent for each subsequent year of rent.
The team intends to sell naming rights to the new stadium, originally named after its benefactor, George R. White. After finding a stadium sponsor, the team will share 10 percent of those field naming rights revenues with the city.
The team will also share 10 percent of in-stadium advertising revenue and 3 percent of concessions revenue.
A portion of those revenues will be dedicated to an operations and maintenance reserve fund.
In addition to the $45 million guaranty, the team will also fund a $25 million construction escrow account to pay for direct construction costs.
The modernized facility will include an upgraded home for Boston Public Schools athletics department, with an 8-lane track -- it currently has six lanes -- and the upgraded field to be used for BPS soccer and end-of-season football games.
Also among the improvements are student athlete locker rooms, strength and conditioning space, student lounge space, re-surfaced basketball and tennis courts outside the stadium, and upgraded BPS athletic department office and coaching space.
Among the improvements to Franklin Park are public restrooms, new paved pathways, and expanded public offerings in the new "Grove" area outside the stadium.
Boston Latin School girls soccer coach Cleo Woodcock shared her excitement about the project in a press release, saying: "The access to world-class soccer right in White Stadium is going to be such a gift to our players and coaching staff."
Hatim Jean-Louis, head coach for BPS cross-country, concurred in the press release: "White Stadium's renovation is going to change the game."