Raimondo says PawSox deal ‘not unreasonable’ but not a ‘top priority’

PROVIDENCE — Gov. Gina M. Raimondo said Monday that securing state incentives for a new ballpark for the Pawtucket Red Sox is not a top priority for her administration this year, but said from what she understands, the framework for state assistance is “a good deal for taxpayers of Rhode Island.”

Speaking briefly with reporters after a R.I. Commerce Corp. board meeting, the governor said she expected a bill would be introduced codifying the Paw Sox proposal this week, but said she was not going to be submitting the language herself.

“This is a top economic development priority for the mayor of Pawtucket,” Raimondo said. “I support him doing that. I do think it’s a good deal for the taxpayers, from what I can tell.”

Last week, the ownership of the Paw Sox and Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien announced a plan to build a new ballpark for the team at the site of the Apex building in downtown Pawtucket. The city and state would be asked to help pay for the $83 million facility.

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The ownership group has said it will pay $45 million, and is asking state taxpayers to pay about $23 million, while Pawtucket taxpayers would pay an additional $15 million.

Raimondo told reporters she had not seen the language of the bill seeking the incentives, including details as to whether the proposed state incentives would be structured as tax increment financing, which would direct sales taxes from the new development back to the project. But assuming the framework is as it had been described earlier, Raimondo said she thought the deal was a good one.

The legislature will have to determine whether the bill stands on its merits, she said, but from what she understands, the financial request the team is seeking from the state is not unreasonable.

“Am I going to submit the legislation? No,” she said. “I think this is a good deal for the taxpayers. It’s a top priority for Pawtucket. I support all of those efforts. It’s not a top priority of my administration. I’ve submitted other legislation. But I’ve looked at it, and I think it’s a good deal.”

This year, among other priorities, Raimondo’s administration has introduced legislation seeking two years of free tuition for Rhode Island public college students who maintain at least a 2.0 GPA. She also has supported a reduction in the automobile property tax.

Mary MacDonald is a PBN staff writer.