PPR Commissioner Slawson authorized illegal construction of turf field in FDR Park

WHYY reports that Slawson said she authorized the Phillies to install artificial turf at Ashburn Field, despite having not received a required environmental permit. “That’s not how we typically handle projects. Public safety was never at a risk. But we had made a promise. The Phillies were aware of the outstanding compliance items — and the city, we allowed the work to proceed to accommodate the MLB All-Star Game.”

The city has no authority to override state law. Slawson knows it, and the Phillies know it. They did it anyway.