Governor Raimondo Says Stadium Deal Not Fair; Owners Demand State Funding !

Kate Nagle, GoLocal Contributor

 

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The owners of the Pawtucket Red Sox and their advisors at Monday's 195 Commission

The new owners of the Pawtucket Red Sox told the 195 Commission that a Providence stadium would be contingent on a public private partnership -- and Governor Gina Raimondo deemed the current deal "unfair" to Rhode Islanders.

Following the unveiling of the proposal of an $85 million stadium with a thirty year lease deal that would cost taxpayers $4 million a year, the owners presented their vision - and demands -- to the 195 Commission on Monday at the Commerce RI office.
"We can't do it by ourselves," said Red Sox CEO and PawSox owner Larry Luchino.  "It requires public-private partnership in this day and the age."
Raimondo, who wasn't present on Monday, issued a statement following the meeting in which she deemed the current proposal unfair to the state.
"I would love it if the PawSox stayed in Rhode Island, and the idea of a multi-use stadium in downtown Providence is exciting. But it's my job to look out for Rhode Island taxpayers, and I take that job very seriously," said Raimondo. "From what I understand of the owners' initial proposal, it appears that Rhode Island taxpayers would pay most, if not all of the cost of building the new stadium, yet the owners would stand to receive all of the profits. That isn't fair for Rhode Islanders."
"We look forward to receiving much more information about alternative financial proposals, and I remain committed to working with Mayor Elorza, the Speaker, and the Senate President to evaluate whether we can find a framework with the team's owners that will benefit Rhode Island," said Raimondo.

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Opponents line the back of the room at Commerce RI

New 195 Chairman Joe Azrack opened the meeting by saying that a "fair deal" is was what the Commission would be looking for from the new owners.

"We need to ensure this a fair deal for the people of Rhode Island as well as the team's owners," said Azrak.
New information emerged Monday including parking, traffic, and visitor expectations, which did little to placate the opponents who filled the back of the room with signs.
"We're still in the early innings of this game," Lucchino told the Commission.  "We deserve some blame for not enumerating the public benefits that flow from this. This is an urban planning asset for you -- an opportunity to do something with this land, [for] the ancillary development."
195 Commission member Barrett Bready voiced concerns about the use -- and cost -- of the land during the question and answer segment.
"You're putting forward the ballpark as a way of attracting companies here. But clearly if the state is willing to sign a 30 year commitment at four to five million [a] year, there are much more direct ways to attract life sciences," said Bready, to applause in the audience.
"You have to account for other private development that this creates," Skeffington responded. "We're making it in a way that will continue..future growth.  Yes, there are other ways you can spend the money -- but there aren't other ways to bring in one million people a year downtown."

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A speaking program took place prior to the meeting on Monday by opponents

Prior to the meeting, opponents to the stadium deal turned out for a speaking program held outside the Commerce RI offices.

The group included representatives from RI Progressive Democrats, RI Republican Party, Green Party of RI, DARE, RI Tea Party, Occupy Providence, and the Sierra Club.
Dave Fisher, co-host of The Coalition radio, spoke to the movement.
"We hear the owners are still committed to the 195 land, but we contend this isn't the highest nor the best use of the land," said Fisher.  "And we continue to reiterate that any taxpayer dollars that would be acceptable for the stadium are...0