New R.I. PawSox ballpark proposal emerges as Worcester talks continue
Photo | Grant Welker
The former Apex site in Pawtucket is being eyed for a new PawSox stadium.
Rhode Island lawmakers this week will take up a revised piece of legislation to facilitate a new ballpark for the Pawtucket Red Sox, but Worcester officials maintain that the city is the better place for a Triple-A baseball.
Rhode Island House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello in a Tuesday press release said he is bringing forward a new proposal shifting the burden away from that state’s taxpayers.
The minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox are angling for a new $83-million ballpark and have been in discussions with officials in both Pawtucket and Worcester, but Pawtucket is the only location with legislation attached to it.
The Rhode Island Senate in January approved a deal to have the city and state putting up a respective $15 million and $23 million, with the team covering the remaining $45 million, including the first $12 million in equity for a proposed ballpark and redevelopment project at the Apex Cos. retail store.
Though not publicly released, Mattiello said his revisions would remove the underlying state backing and with it, the taxpayer risk if the deal does not pay for itself.
Mattiello said his revisions would segregate revenues generated in a new Tax Increment Financing District to ensure revenues will be tied to debt payments, ensuring the project will stand or fall on its own.
Project bonds issued by the Pawtucket Redevelopment Agency will be paid back from revenues generated in the district, including the team’s lease payment. The state will contribute the same amount as it would have lost if the team moved out of the state, according to the announcement.
In a statement, PawSox officials said they were somewhat surprised by the new legislation.
“We will study the proposed legislation in detail when we receive it, to assess the viability and appeal of what we believe is a whole new departure,” the team said.
In Worcester, where talks seem to be progressing, officials remain optimistic, at least publicly.
"Our efforts continue to convince the Paw Sox that Worcester is the perfect place for a new home, and we remain focused on our discussions and our discussions alone,” City Manager Edward Augustus said in an emailed statement to the WBJ.
Worcester officials have publicly acknowledged several rounds of high-level talks in recent weeks, and Telegram & Gazette Red Sox beat reporter Bill Ballou reported on Tuesday those discussions have progressed to lease deals and pedestrian accesses to a new ballpark in the Canal District.
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