Residents Sue Over Lighting At T.C. Williams Stadium: Report

ALEXANDRIA, VA—A group of Alexandria residents are suing over plans to install lighting at T.C. Williams High School's Parker-Gray Stadium.

The residents claim the city and the school district are violating a "no lights" agreement made when land needed for T.C. Williams displaced residents, according to WJLA. Displaced residents got newly-built homes in return for a promise not to have lights at the stadium. The agreement was last renewed in 2012.

Meanwhile some residents point out to WJLA that the Titans cannot play games at night due to the lack of lighting. Although away games can be at night, home games must be during the daytime.

Alexandria City Public Schools did not comment on the lawsuit to WJLA but said the improvements "are intended to bring T.C. Williams High School into line with other high schools in the Northern Virginia area."

The school district is in the midst of developing plans to upgrade the stadium, citing growing student enrollment and the needs of the sports programs, marching band and the school community. Aside from adding lighting, plans include adding an eighth lane on the track, replacing artificial turf, the concession stand, the scoreboard and the press box, adding restrooms and a ticket booth and upgrading the sound system. The sound system upgrade in particular seeks to direct more sound away from nearby homes.

The school district has proposed the final design for the stadium to the city. Public hearings are set for Oct. 2, for the Planning Commission and Oct. 13 for City Council.

A public meeting to discuss the project is set for Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Sister Cities Conference Room (Room 1101) in City Hall, 301 King Street. City staff will give a presentation, answer questions and discuss the next steps in the review process.###a>

What do you think about the lighting issue at the T.C. Williams High School stadium? Let us know in the comments.###a>

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Image via David Lee/Shutterstock