In the wake of James J. Skeffington's death and signals from elected officials that action on the proposed Providence baseball stadium is not likely in this legislative session, the Pawtucket Red Sox have backed away from the push to have the state act on the proposal right now.
The decision is not just a smart one – without Mr. Skeffington's passion and guidance, the effort has lost its most able advocate – but a politic one as well.
The initial offer from the team, that in effect had the state pay $4 million per year for 30 years (not including offsetting tax revenue from stadium operations) as well as having the city receive no property tax, was a nonstarter, not only in the court of public opinion, but in the corridors of the Statehouse and City Hall.
Negotiations for a new plan had begun, but they are complex, as the land sits in the city but is controlled by the state as part of the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission's charge.
But just as importantly, the team needs to make a more persuasive case to the electorate that this project is worth some public investment, whether in the form of improved infrastructure, taxes or some as-yet unrevealed approach, to go along with its substantial private commitment.
Gov. Gina M. Raimondo has said that the stadium could be a catalytic investment in the former I-195 land. The governor, legislative leaders and city officials need to understand if this idea is a valid one and then make sure the numbers make sense. And to make the right deal, they must take the time needed. •