Giannini: Can a “Rhode Island Red Sox Stadium” Succeed in Providence?
Wednesday, March 04, 2015
Amidst all the hoopla, curiosity and concern about building a baseball stadium in Providence exists one lingering question: Would a baseball stadium built in Providence be a successful endeavor? The answer to this question has sparked an emotional debate that reminds me of the time the New England Patriots were thinking of moving to Rhode Island. Or were they?
In 1997, Rhode Island Patriots fans were "gaga" over the possibility of having the then AFC champions move to Providence. Fans and local officials were excited over the endless possibilities of such a move. Mayor Vincent A. Cianci Jr. had a vision for this project and flew to the New Orleans Super Bowl to see Bob Kraft. He then released a poll, reported by the Providence Journal, showing that 73% of Rhode Islanders favored bringing the Patriots to Rhode Island with 10% disapproving of the move.
I was a legislator then and I recall numerous press conferences, a rally on city hall steps, and even a state house reception for the Patriots and owner Bob Kraft complete with fireworks and all. It was suddenly like a giant blimp was circulating the city advertising jobs, hope, and added revenue.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe Patriots Blimp Burst
Well, that blimp burst and many Patriot fans in Rhode Island were disappointed but many were relieved. As a Providence resident, who lives a stone's throw away from where the stadium was being proposed, (near the old farmer's market), I can tell you my neighbors views were mixed. Many thought it was a solution to add much needed revenue and lower taxes. Others thought it would be an entertainment extravaganza compete with Sunday tailgating parties and Monday night football under the lights. And then there were the "not in my backyard" residents. Fears and concerns arose about parking, traffic jams, city and state tax breaks as well as taxpayer money being spent to help fund the project. My phone was ringing off the hook with both pros and cons, similar to what we are hearing about a stadium now.
Okay, I admit I am a Patriots fan and was excited at the thought of a Patriot Stadium, but I had to listen to both sides. In the end, the Patriots stayed in Foxboro and built the beautiful "Patriot Place" which I happen to enjoy.
So now the new owners of the PawSox, want to relocate in Providence on the vacant I-195 land.
Or do they? Forgive me, but we have been this route before so let's think this through.
They say the stadium will be privately funded but are hoping for tax breaks. They are currently pitching this idea to state and local leaders with the hope of support. But just how much support will they need? The state of Rhode Island generously helped the PawSox renovate their stadium with the support of the General Assembly. What will happen to the stadium in Pawtucket? Perhaps it could be used as a stadium for local schools and sports organizations who need a location for sports games. Local and state officials should immediately form a commission to help with ideas on how to best use the vacant stadium. None of us want to hurt Pawtucket or strip them of their home team, but the new owners do not want to stay in Pawtucket and that's their right.
Time For New Ideas
It's time for new ideas and time to start the economic engine. Providence certainly needs this boost. We haven't had any major redevelopment since the Providence place mall and ice skating rink. We all watched the deterioration of the retail business in Downtown Providence when the two Warwick malls were built. With free parking, easy access and new fashionable stores, how could downtown Providence compete? As someone who worked after school in Peerless and Shepherd's and had fond memories of downtown shopping trips with my mom, I was saddened when this happened. We all watched the Ryan convention center being built in South County when we have our own convention center in Providence. So, I do feel for the people of Pawtucket and also understand that they feel the way we all felt when we saw the loss of retail downtown and the jewelry industry in Providence.
There will have to be a carefully drafted plan to make this stadium in Providence successful.
As the host city, Providence officials will have to watch out for their taxpayers. Traffic and infrastructure studies, cost assessments for Police and fire protection as well as city services needed will all have to be evaluated. Maintenance costs, security and tax stabilization plans must be carefully reviewed by the city council in an open process with public notification. A clear benefit to Providence as the host city must be shown. After that evaluation, the owners will have to show the financial and economic advantage to the state of Rhode Island by building this stadium.
How To Make It Work
There are numerous ways to make what I call the "RI ProSox Stadium" work. I envision a first class stadium with plenty of free parking, concession stands with food and memorabilia from the best of Rhode Island. The owners should show support for Rhode Islanders by having certain discount nights that are affordable to all Rhode Island families. In off season, the stadium could be used for community events and other family activities that are affordable to the families of Rhode Island. Many inner city communities have no recreation centers for our youth, possibly they could develop a plan for some recreational sports for them after school and weekends.
My pitch for the stadium would also be to include a surrounding premium outlet mall with stores similar to Wrentham premium outlets. We do not have any outlet stores in Rhode Island such as Wrentham, Massachusetts and Clinton, CT. Let's keep our Rhode Islanders, who go to the outlet stores in neighboring states, shopping in Rhode Island. Go to the Wrentham outlets any weekend and see the many Rhode Island cars that are there.
I'd also like to see food establishments moderately priced and geared toward families in the surrounding area with family entertainment similar to the eateries in Disney World. We already have the best cuisine on Federal Hill and surrounding communities but I'm talking about places where you can take your family before and after a game and treat them to burgers, fries and milk shakes. Perhaps places like Johnny Rockets, Chili's, Crazy Burger, etc. With the addition of affordable family eateries such as these and our existing fine restaurants, we would harbor a choice for all.
I imagine a day when one could go to a game in the stadium, shop at an outlet store before or after the game and follow up the day at a nearby restaurant at night. Yes, this could start the economic engine going. If done right and in an open process with public notification, this stadium can be just the boost Rhode Island needs. Let's make it work by envisioning the possibilities of the growth of jobs, revenue and a higher esteem for Rhode Island. We can't do this about whining about what was, but by fighting for what can be.
I look forward to the leaders in government and the new owners of the RISox to make it possible. My advice would be to listen to the public's concerns, address them and show how much we all love Rhode Island by working together. After all, we are all in this together.
Let's play ball!
Joanne Giannini served as a RI State Representative from Providence from 1994 to 2010. She has previously written commentaries for the Providence Journal and the Federal Hill Gazette. During her tenure in the General Assembly, she made appearances on CNN, Primetime News, and American Morning regarding legislation she filed in Rhode Island.
Related Slideshow: The Ten Biggest Questions Facing the PawSox Coming to Providence
If the new ownership of the Pawtucket Red Sox want to build a new stadium in Providence, a number of questions need to be answered. The potential for a major contruction project in the state's capitial city touches upon a number of issues, from money, to politics, to jobs, and development.
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