PawSox express ‘concern’ about Senate committee revisions to ballpark deal

THE PROPOSED STADIUM construction legislation, with revisions, is drawing concern from the Pawtucket Red Sox. / COURTESY PAWTUCKET RED SOX
THE PROPOSED STADIUM construction legislation, with revisions, is drawing concern from the Pawtucket Red Sox. / COURTESY PAWTUCKET RED SOX

PAWTUCKET – The Pawtucket Red Sox organization expressed generalized concern Monday about some of the revisions included in the proposed legislation to authorize construction of an $83 million downtown ballpark.

The one-page statement, released through a spokesman, said the Senate Finance Committee revision is still being reviewed but at first blush, “some of these suggestions give us concern.”

The state’s annual investment is to be exceeded by the annual tax revenue it receives, the team noted, while the Pawtucket investment gives the city ownership of the land, the innovative ballpark and a new city park “all of which will spur additional new development, activity and taxes for the city.”

“The PawSox, with the overwhelming majority contribution of $45 million, the commitment of 30 years, and the responsibility of ballpark construction cost overruns, are taking the most significant and likely risks to ensure that this once-in-a-generation project comes to fruition for Rhode Island.”

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Last week, the Senate Finance Committee released a report following seven weeks of public and expert testimony on the negotiated deal, and recommended revisions that would bolster the position of the city and state, over the 30-year length of the bond issues to finance construction.

Among its changes: proceeds from the naming rights for the new ballpark would be split between the city and state, instead of going to the team owners, and the PawSox would be responsible for maintenance and operations of the new facility. The naming rights alone are expected to direct $250,000 a year away from the team.

The committee has not voted on the amended legislation. That action is expected in January, according to the chairman.

The team still hopes to keep the PawSox in Pawtucket, the release said, but recognizes that the decision about whether to proceed is in the hands of the elected officials.

Already, the timeline for review of the proposal has pushed the team’s completion of a new ballpark past its initial objective of April 2020.

Mary MacDonald is a staff writer for the PBN. Contact her at macdonald@pbn.com.

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