With waterfront site out, what now?

Posted 9/24/15

Earlier this month, we reported on Warwick’s previously unknown outreach to the ownership of the Pawtucket Red Sox regarding the possibility of building a new stadium for the team in the state’s …

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With waterfront site out, what now?

Posted

Earlier this month, we reported on Warwick’s previously unknown outreach to the ownership of the Pawtucket Red Sox regarding the possibility of building a new stadium for the team in the state’s second-largest city.

Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian, in his pitch, had highlighted three sites – all within walking distance of the train station at City Centre – in a letter to the late James Skeffington.

It seemed, though, that there was little interest on the part of the PawSox owners, who were singularly focused on a waterfront site on former I-195 land in Providence for their planned ballpark.

The situation has evolved significantly over the last week, with Gov. Gina Raimondo announcing she has ruled out that site and the team formally abandoning its initial plan. It was a victory for the many Rhode Islanders who have for months vocally opposed the move, for which the team had initially sought tens of millions of dollars in taxpayer-funded support.

There has been renewed chatter in support of the team staying in Pawtucket, and of the possibility of an investment in improving McCoy Stadium. The governor has voiced support for that option, as have many stadium opponents. It appears, though, that the team’s ownership – now led by Larry Lucchino – remains committed to moving the squad.

There have been indications the owners are taking a new look at the Victory Place property in Providence’s Jewelry District, which has previously been pushed as an alternative by local and state leaders. Lifespan recently acquired the site, although the company has no immediate plans for development there. Raimondo and House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello have expressed openness to Victory Place – with the long-running caveat that any plan protects the state’s taxpayers.

So what happens now? Perhaps Warwick’s outreach proves more fruitful than initially thought, or another Rhode Island community comes forward with a feasible option. Maybe the PawSox owners decide reinvesting in McCoy is a practical option after all.

Of course, it now seems more likely than ever that the team ends up moving out of the Ocean State. Several sites in Massachusetts, including Worcester, Springfield and Foxboro, have long been mentioned as lurking on the periphery as talks on the Providence proposal stalled.

Keeping the PawSox in Rhode Island will require a great deal of creativity, particularly given the bitterness surrounding the still-unfolding saga of 38 Studios. We encourage state and local leaders to keep pursuing new angles and alternatives, as we continue to applaud those who have put taxpayers and the state’s financial interests ahead of a flashy and costly – albeit alluring – stadium project.

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  • markyc

    Victory Place-would Lifespan want to sell/provide it to/for a Paw Sox Stadium? Maybe Lifespan acquired it to BLOCK any possible stadium there.

    I guess time will tell.

    As far as the Warwick sites offered, the City/State should communicate any potential/possible stadium proposal to the RI Airport Corp.; it's quite possible the airport may want restrictions on any development within airport flight paths. COMMUNICATION of all/any proposals are made in order to prevent wasted efforts similar to the Rt. 195 land proposal.

    Thursday, September 24, 2015 Report this