Pawtucket mayor Donald Grebien has formed a financial advisory team to consider various projects in the city, including a proposed Pawtucket Red Sox (Class AAA; International League) ballpark.
In their effort to find a suitable replacement for McCoy Stadium, the PawSox have pitched a new ballpark in Pawtucket that would be constructed at the site of an Apex department store. Under that plan, the financials would call for the team to pay $45 million ($12 million upfront, the rest paybacks on money borrowed by the Pawtucket Redevelopment Agency), Rhode Island to pay $23 million (with Pawtucket committed to paying the money back), and the city to pay $15 million.
It is unclear at this point if that plan will gain the necessary political support to move forward, and other cities have expressed an interest in potentially landing the PawSox. The financial advisory team formed by Grebien will play a role in Pawtucket’s effort, as the group will work with the city on certain aspects of the ballpark plan. More from The Valley Breeze:
“I’m excited that these experienced individuals have committed to work alongside us here in Pawtucket,” said Grebien. “The city has improved its financial structure over the past several years, but still faces the potential of losing the PawSox and the economic benefit it brings to Pawtucket and Rhode Island.”
The group will provide feedback and ideas regarding the city’s bond commitment and payments, tax structures for the land, and revenue enhancements.
As noted, other cities have shown an interest in landing the PawSox if the team’s plan in Pawtucket comes up short. Worcester, MA has been reported as a possible landing spot for the team, and its city council recently passed a resolution relating to that effort. The PawSox’s lease at McCoy Stadium runs through the 2020 season.
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