R.I. Senate to hold PawSox ballpark hearing tonight, first of six scheduled

THE PAWTUCKET FOUNDATION has commissioned a report that finds a proposed $83 million ballpark for the Pawtucket Red Sox would pose a minimal financial risk for taxpayers and the team. / COURTESY PAWTUCKET RED SOX
THE PAWTUCKET FOUNDATION has commissioned a report that finds a proposed $83 million ballpark for the Pawtucket Red Sox would pose a minimal financial risk for taxpayers and the team. / COURTESY PAWTUCKET RED SOX

PROVIDENCE – The first of six scheduled public hearings on the proposal to move the Pawtucket Red Sox to a new ballpark in downtown Pawtucket will begin Thursday night at 6 p.m. at the Rhode Island Statehouse.

The project, as outlined in legislation introduced late in the 2017 General Assembly session, would involve a 10,000-seat park at the current Apex location, amounting to $83 million in construction and design costs.

The facility, including site acquisition costs, would be paid through private investments by the team owners and public bonds.

The PawSox owners have proposed putting forward $45 million, with $12 million coming directly from the owners. The remaining $33 million would come from rent and naming rights, to pay down bonds issued by the Pawtucket Redevelopment Agency.

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The state of Rhode Island would fund $23 million. Those bonds would be repaid by taxes generated by the new facility.

The city of Pawtucket would fund $15 million, including what is budgeted as $10 million for site acquisition.

The Apex property is privately held.

A total of six hearings before the Senate Finance Committee to go over the figures and assumptions will be held over the next several weeks.

The first is expected to include an overview of the proposal and statements by various parties, followed by public comment.

The second hearing is Tuesday at 6 p.m. at William E. Tolman High School in Pawtucket, 150 Exchange St. The committee will review potential for ancillary development and Pawtucket’s financial risk, and take public comment.

The third hearing is Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. at the University of Rhode Island, Swan Auditorium. The committee will examine the economic model and review state level risk, and take more comment.

Three additional hearings focused on public comments will be held on Oct. 11, Oct. 12 and Oct. 19 in various locations.

For the full schedule of hearings, information on the current proposal and other resources, visit the Senate’s website at www.pawsoxhearings.com.

Comments are also being collected on that website.

By Sept. 12, the Senate committee had received 138 email comments through its website form.

Bob Rizzo was opposed: “No no no no stadium with our tax money!!”

Anne Holland, also opposed, cited the lack of an economic justification. “This will not add a substantial number of jobs or tourists to our area. It’s a proven losing proposition economically … I’m furious these people have their hand out again.”

Proponents included Richard McCaffrey. “This deal is good for Rhode Island and the city of Pawtucket. Don’t let the screams of the naysayers take away the benefits of progress.”

In reactions provided in advance of the meeting, various organizations have already taken positions.

The Rhode Island Republican Party on Thursday issued a statement with a list of 10 reasons why the deal should be rejected. The list included statements such as “economists have shown public subsidies for new stadiums make no economic sense,” and concerns about the unknown cost to taxpayers for the land for the ballpark.

The ballpark received an endorsement from the executive board of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, which issued a statement Thursday afternoon. “The $45 million investment by the PawSox ownership will provide good, high wage, family sustaining jobs to hundreds of Rhode Island’s men and women in the building and construction trades,” said Michael Sabitoni, president of the Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council.

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

 

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