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Poll results

When City of Worcester officials announced in 2018 they would build a Canal District baseball stadium to get the Triple A minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox to move from Pawtucket to Worcester, they said the $160-million ballpark would pay for itself, as housing and commercial developments in the special taxing district around the stadium would generate enough tax revenues to cover the twice-annual bond payments, along with other revenues, such as parking fees and taxes on stadium concessions. Former City Manager Edward Augustus repeatedly said this pay-for-itself provision was the City's North Star in making financial decisions on the stadium. If the special tax district revenue falls significantly behind the bond payment amount, the City would have to figure out alternatives to make its bond payments, including raising taxes, cutting services from other departments, increased borrowing, or refinancing the bonds.

How important is it to you that the Polar Park baseball stadium pays for itself?
Not at all. The WooSox bring tangible and intangible benefits to Worcester. (5%, 15 VOTES)
Somewhat. The City should keep its promise, but the stadium expense is still worth it regardless. (28%, 78 VOTES)
Extremely important. The stadium project was approved based on the promise it would pay for itself. (67%, 185 VOTES)
Poll Description

When City of Worcester officials announced in 2018 they would build a Canal District baseball stadium to get the Triple A minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox to move from Pawtucket to Worcester, they said the $160-million ballpark would pay for itself, as housing and commercial developments in the special taxing district around the stadium would generate enough tax revenues to cover the twice-annual bond payments, along with other revenues, such as parking fees and taxes on stadium concessions. Former City Manager Edward Augustus repeatedly said this pay-for-itself provision was the City's North Star in making financial decisions on the stadium. If the special tax district revenue falls significantly behind the bond payment amount, the City would have to figure out alternatives to make its bond payments, including raising taxes, cutting services from other departments, increased borrowing, or refinancing the bonds.

  • 278 Votes
  • 6 Comments
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6 Comments

  • Robert Anderson
    November 15, 2022

    They (the tenant) dropped $94 million on a third baseman that split his pants everytime he bent down to field a ball. The folks who perpetrated this boondoggle on the taxpayers of Worcester saw it fit to pay all the bills and backload the rent charged. Ask yourself why the deal was so one-sided.

  • November 14, 2022
    Should have been at the 9/12/2018 council meeting…
  • Robert Anderson
    November 14, 2022

    The blame for this boondoggle lies solely in the lap of the one that got out of Dodge and went to Franklin to a cushy job. Things that make you say, "Hmmmmmmmmm."

  • November 14, 2022
    By the time the obvious bust becomes inevitable, the people who saddled the city with this bad deal will have moved on to new jobs. They won't be inconvenienced in any way by their fuzzy thinking.
  • November 14, 2022
    The deal was they pay for it. A deal is a deal. It is unfair to change the specifics at this point. Pay up! I have zero interest in this being paid for by increased taxes. It is already a stress on city infrastructure.