Skeffington hopes to know by April if riverfront suitable for stadium

JAMES J. SKEFFINGTON said that the new owners are in the midst of conducting studies to determine if the former Interstate 195 land is suitable for a baseball stadium; he hopes the results will be ready by early April.  / PBN FILE PHOTO COURTESY PHOTO COURTESY EDWARDS ANGELL PALMER & DODGE
JAMES J. SKEFFINGTON said that the new owners are in the midst of conducting studies to determine if the former Interstate 195 land is suitable for a baseball stadium; he hopes the results will be ready by early April. / PBN FILE PHOTO COURTESY PHOTO COURTESY EDWARDS ANGELL PALMER & DODGE

PROVIDENCE – James J. Skeffington said that he hopes that he will know by early April if the former Interstate 195 land on the west side of the Providence River will be suitable for a baseball stadium.
Skeffington, president of the new ownership group for the Pawtucket Red Sox, said there are two parcels being eyed for the stadium that border Dyer Street and the Providence River, and that they are owned by Brown University and the Interstate 195 Redevelopment District Commission.
The Brown land totals 3 acres; the other parcel is approximately 4 acres.
Skeffington, a partner with Locke Lord Edwards LLP, said Brown has a building on its land that will have to be torn down if the project goes through. That building houses Brown’s School of Professional Studies.
The university, in a statement, said it welcomed the idea of having a baseball stadium nearby, and the prospect of a multi-use athletic, cultural and community facility that could house collegiate games.
“The proposed location of a Providence home for the team is in an area of the capital city where Brown has invested significant financial resources. Over the past decade we have spent more than $200 million on education, research, and administrative facilities and programs in the Jewelry District, and our leadership role with the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College on the $220 million South Street Landing redevelopment demonstrates our strong commitment to realizing a shared vision of a vibrant urban work-learn-live environment that drives the Providence and Rhode Island economies for decades to come,” Russell C. Carey, Brown’s executive vice president for planning and policy, said.

Skeffington said the I-195 land became the focus for the stadium and the team, whose name will change to the “Rhode Island Red Sox,” a few months ago as the new owners were looking for a spot for a downtown ballpark.
He said studies are in the process of being conducted regarding the site.
“We are undertaking due diligence,” Skeffington said, to determine “whether or nor that site can accommodate the type of ballpark that we would like to have.”
Dyana Koelsch, spokeswoman for the I-195 Commission, said they have not received a formal proposal.
“Everything is in the exploratory stage right now,” she said.

Skeffington, who has represented the Boston Red Sox on special projects for 14 years, said he also is a longtime Pawtucket Red Sox season ticket holder. He called McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket “a great, little ballpark,” but said everyone has to drive there.
He said the owners want to capitalize on all that Providence has to offer, and take advantage of public transportation. The lack of infrastructure was one of the reasons why the new owners wanted to move the team out of Pawtucket, he said.
The triple A Red Sox affiliate has been at McCoy Stadium since 1942. Skeffington said the team may remain there another two to three years as a new stadium is constructed.

Skeffington said some people have criticized the use of the I-195 land for a baseball team, but he said that parcel was always supposed to be used for open space and recreation. He also said he thinks the stadium could help spur additional investment in that area.
He said he has received positive feedback about the plan to move the team to Providence, and to make the stadium a venue that houses everything from baseball games to cultural attractions. He is excited about attracting more people to the downtown stadium, and hosting college sports events.
“The immediate response has been very positive and very encouraging,” Skeffington said. “There is some degree of enthusiasm.”
Along with Skeffington, the new ownership group is being led by Boston Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino, who will serve as chairman.
The group bought the Pawtucket Red Sox from longtime owners Madeleine Mondor, widow of the late Ben Mondor; Michael Tamburro; and Ludwig Schwechheimer, for an undisclosed price.
While it is still early in the process, Skeffington said the cost of a new stadium could run between $60 million and $70 million, and would be built primarily with private funds.
“Our objective to keep our team in Rhode Island, and we hope we can find a way to do that,” Skeffington said.

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