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A light may be at the end of the tunnel in the ongoing permanent lighting at Memorial Stadium situation – and the neighbors of the historic stadium are expecting that it’s a train. 

After Fox Television offered to pick up the estimated $1 million tab for large, permanent lighting last year, neighborhood residents formed a group called Neighbors of Memorial Stadium, and threatened a lawsuit. The University then kicked off an initial study of possible environmental ramifications. According to University spokeswoman Marie Felde, that report, at long last, will be in print today. 

“It was supposed to be out in October, November at the latest,” says NOMS member Frederica Drotos. “We were told February after November came and went. Then March, then April, then May, then it would be ready so we could have a meeting in early June.” 

While the study’s findings will be unknown to the public until this afternoon, members of the NOMS said they would be highly surprised if any conclusion other than stadium lighting posing a minimal environmental impact would be reached. 

“I expect they’ll say everything’s fine, we should go away and not bother them,” said NOMS’ Michael Kelly. “If they drop this stuff into the mailbox tomorrow, it won’t get to us until sometime next week. They want to have a public meeting next Thursday. That’s not enough time for people to do real research and give informed opinions.”