by Tessa Roy, WPRO News
Critics were vocal after the first Senate Finance Committee hearing on $38 million in public funding for a new PawSox stadium, where city presentations kept those signed up to testify waiting for hours. Samuel Bell, a Democratic critic of the stadium deal who spoke hours into the first hearing, said he would not be attending the second.
“I’m not telling people not to go. If you want to go to make your voice heard that’s fine. But don’t expect to be treated in a particularly fair manner. Don’t expect to be given the same kind of special treatment that the tear it down crowd will be getting,” he said.
Tuesday’s hearing went a little differently as it was limited to four hours and city presentations capped at one hour. Mayor Don Grebien and other officials made their case for the $83 million stadium, saying it would be city owned, open for events year round, and would bring a $45 million private investment to Pawtucket.
The City presentation said the stadium wouldn’t raise or create new taxes, but argued it would “revitalize” the downtown area and help create jobs. It also made clear the team would foot the bill for any construction cost overruns.
About 90 members of the public, 65 for the deal and 25 against, signed up to testify. Attorney General Peter Kilmartin joined those in favor, calling the would-be new stadium taxpayer and family friendly in remarks he made during the city’s time in the hearing.
Like city officials, members of the public had a limited amount of time to speak. Those who hit three minutes were stopped and invited to attend the next hearings or submit the rest of their remarks in writing. (Hyperlink: http://pawsoxhearings.com/contact/ )
Supporters shared family memories of McCoy Stadium, discussed positive community impacts made by the PawSox, and said the stadium could bring much needed economic growth to Pawtucket.
“We believe in the possibility of a well located, well built, downtown ballpark, and we’ve made a commitment to develop at least 50,000 square feet of retail either in conjunction with other developers or on our own as a sort of developer of last resort,” said the team’s General Manager Dan Rea.
Pawtucket resident Linda Dewing was on board.
“The PawSox leaders have pledged to donate Rhode Island business profits to charity here in our state and also to development of our downtown and our riverfront area. Frankly, we can use the help,” she said.
Opponents advocated for a public vote on the deal. Pawtucket resident Lynn Farinelli questioned officials’ arguments regarding economic development a new stadium could bring.
“Being a lifelong resident of the city, I would ask when was there any type of development that came from the original stadium?” she said.
Pawtucket Republican City Committee Chair Nathan Luciano said he’d like to see the team remain in the city, but thought other things, like schools, should be a priority.
“I believe there are many things that need our attention and priority in Pawtucket over the PawSox… I would love to see them stay but again, at what cost?” he said.
The next hearing is October 3 at 6 p.m. at the URI Kingston Campus. (Hyperlink: http://pawsoxhearings.com/schedule/) A Senate spokesperson said the same time constraints (45-60 minutes for city presentations, 3 minutes per person in public testimony) are likely to be applied in the next hearings if necessary.
