RI Leaders Support Effort to Bring Revolution to Providence
Saturday, November 29, 2014
Political and economic leaders in Rhode Island are voicing their support for bringing the New England Revolution to Providence, following a GoLocalProv editorial proposing a downtown stadium as an ideal location.
Bob Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots who is also the owner of the New England Revolution, is looking to build a soccer venue, which holds roughly 20,000 seats. While Kraft is currently eyeing a location off of Interstate 93 in Boston, the advantages of Providence -- and the fact that Kraft used all private money last time to build Gillette -- has people talking.
"One of Mayor-Elect Elorza's most important priorities is to aggressively pursue opportunities that will grow Providence's economy and make the city a better place to live, work and visit," said Marisa O'Gara, Elorza's Director of Communications. "Relocating the New England Revolution to Providence would propose an exciting prospect for our city and our state, and the Mayor-elect stands ready to work with Mr. Kraft and other interested parties to determine whether such a prospect can become a reality. Providence's world-class amenities and convenient geographic location could provide a perfect home base for the Revolution and its many fans."
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTURI Distinguished Professor of Business Edward Mazze offered his perspective on the economic viability of bringing a stadium to downtown Providence -- and the limited role he believes government would need to maintain to encourage its ultimate success.
"Bringing the New England Revolution to Providence would be an economic boost for the city and the region as long as the cost of building a soccer stadium is done by not raising local taxes or giving away many economic incentives," said URI Distinguished Professor of Business Edward Mazze, who noted that there would be a "positive impact on the restaurant and hospitality industry and on the apparel and accessory store industry."
Jim Bennett, Economic Development Director for the City of Providence, noted that the city has had talks with the Revolution in the past.
“Providence is all for trying to bring the Revolution here, said Bennett. "We have had conversations in the past with the leadership of the Revolution and we believe Providence would be the perfect host to New England’s premiere soccer club.”
Looking at the MLS -- and Providence
Victor Matheson, Professor of Economics at Holy Cross -- who is also a former Major League Soccer (MLS) referee - spoke to past and present league dynamics, should Providence look to be a contender.
"One nice thing about Providence is that MLS has gone with one of two strategies. They've either gone big -- NYC, Chicago, LA -- or they've gone small, where there are no other professional sports teams. Columbus, Salt Lake, Portland -- places without MLB, not to interfere with summer season," said Matheson. "Providence would fit very nicely into the smaller model. I would point out that Providence is larger than Salt Lake City, and Real Salt Lake has done quite well there.
"There have been two models of stadiums," said Matheson. "One has been put it in the middle of nowhere, and surround with soccer fields, those haven't done nearly as well as putting in downtowns, and cater specifically to younger generation who grew up playing soccer. MLS has tried hard to get soccer specific stadiums in the new wave -- and their latest have been truly innovative facilities."
Rhode Island Sports Commission Executive Director John Gibbons said that he believes a new venue downtown could be a welcome addition.
"I think if we had a venue in downtown, any new venue would be a good thing," said Gibbons "I know other downtown sporting venues those bring people to the downtown area. A smaller stadium could be used multi-dimensionally. One thing downtown Providence has is a lot of the infrastructure is here. Highways, rail, parking, a working downtown that's here during the day."
Gibbons noted that being in the sports industry, he saw another opportunity for a downtown stadium venue.
"We when we host large conventions, they often look for off-site venues for 1000-1500 people, and those spaces are few and far between in Providence," said Gibbons. "When people in our industry go conferences, they go to these types of events at stadiums, ball parks.
Economic Impact
Rhode Island Commerce Corporation Executive Director Marcel Valois addressed the potential that a downtown soccer-centric stadium could bring -- and like Gibbons, echoed the need to draw in outside visitors as key to its economic viability.
“Activating a downtown area with a sports franchise such as professional soccer is very appealing. More vibrant urban communities around the country are ones that offer residents and visitors alike a robust variety of sports, cultural, arts and entertainment venues. I have not researched the physical or economic requirements of building a soccer stadium in downtown Providence and I have no particular insights as to whether or not Kennedy Plaza (as mentioned in GoLocal's Editorial) is an appropriate place. But, fresh ideas on how to revitalize our communities, no matter how big or small, should always be encouraged," said Valois.
"I recommend that the conversation include a real understanding of the market dynamics for a successful franchise. Many professional soccer stadiums that have emerged in the recent past have been supported in part with public funds. Positive returns on public investment can only be maximized if it can be demonstrated that such a sports venue attracts outside visitors and brings new dollars into our economy," Valois continued. "The projected market draw from outside Rhode Island and the potential of using the stadium for other visitor attracting events (other than the 15-20 home soccer games) should be important factors in considering such a project.”
Providence City Councilman Luis Aponte, who is vying for Council Presidency, is in full support of pursuing a project.
"I would be 100% behind looking into this," said Aponte.
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