Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien is right to blame the departure of the Pawtucket Red Sox for Worcester, Mass., in 2020 on a lack of leadership at the state level to work out the financing to keep the team in Rhode Island.
He also knows the city could see even more economic development from the Tidewater Landing project now seeking an additional $30 million in tax financing from R.I. Commerce Corp. to help cover rising construction costs.
Thankfully for Tidewater supporters, the merits of the $344 million mixed-use project centered around a soccer stadium are not in dispute. While some Commerce board members want to see more nonstate financing, those issues can and must be worked out.
Former Gov. Gina M. Raimondo wanted the PawSox to stay in Rhode Island but left the final financing deal to Statehouse leaders. The delay and failure to work with the team led to its exit.
Let’s hope Gov. Daniel J. McKee, who serves as Commerce board chairman, doesn’t make the same mistake as his predecessor and gets a deal done that the state and developer can live with.
The folks at the State House were smart enough to let the Pawsox walk. Why would they want a soccer stadium named 38Studios?
It’s a good thing there are no republicans available to muck up this project and turn it into another 38 Studios. While the Pawsox leaving was regrettable, one can lay most of the blame for that on a certain individual who not only doesn’t lead the RI House any longer, but is now (thankfully) not a government representative at all.