SURVEYING THE FIELD
Construction group releases survey of RI voters indicating support for a new PawSox stadium
PROVIDENCE – Contradicting earlier statistical sampling, a new poll commissioned by BuildRI indicates that a majority of the state’s residents are in favor of building the proposed $83 million Ball Park at Slater Mill when the replacement for Pawtucket’s McCoy Stadium is pitched as the pay-for-itself project that proponents contend it is.
When provided with a detailed breakdown of costs and guarantees to be shared by the state, the city of Pawtucket and the owners of the PawSox, 56 percent of voters said they support the project, while 41 percent were opposed to it. The survey also indicated that opposition shifted to a 53 percent majority against the proposal when they were denied the same information about how the ballpark would be financed.
BuildRI hired Joe Fleming of Cumberland-based Fleming & Associates – one of the state’s most trusted political pollsters – to take the latest statistical read on voters’ sentiments about the plan for building a new, state-of-the-art stadium for the PawSox at the former Apex site in downtown Pawtucket, overlooking the Blackstone River. The coalition of union trade groups released the results during a press briefing at its headquarters Monday.
“This survey demonstrates that Rhode Islanders support this ball park if the revenues it generates pays for construction,” said BuildRI Chairman James L. Carr Jr., CEO of H. Carr & Sons, a Lincoln construction company. “With this, I believe that the legislature should approve the current
proposal. This is just the kind of project we need to anchor expanded economic development in Pawtucket.”
BuildRI General Counsel Gregory Mancini said the poll compares with earlier statistical samples suggesting that 66 percent of voters are opposed to the Ball Park at Slater Mill, which requires a financing package that must be approved by the General Assembly. Plans calls for the PawSox to pay $45 million plus any construction cost overruns, with $23 million from the state and $15 million from the city of Pawtucket.
In one of its first acts of the 2018 session, the Senate overwhelmingly approved the deal, but a companion measure remains stalled in the House as Speaker Nicholas Mattiello – and others – continue to suggest that the PawSox should kick in more up front money and make the deal less risky for public partners. It’s unclear whether the House will even vote on the measure – or any PawSox bill, for that matter – this session, increasing speculation
that other suitors, including Worcester, Mass., will woo the PawSox away from Rhode Island.
“One reason the deal is not moving forward is due to polling data that’s not based on accurate information,” said Mancini. “Sixty-six percent were against when they were told that state would issue $83 million in bonds to pay for the stadium, and that’s not true.”
For the BuildRI poll, respondents were informed that the state would pay for its share of the borrowing from existing tax collections generated by the ballpark and the PawSox organization. The city’s share would come from revenue generated by the naming rights to the ballpark and property taxes from millions in “ancillary development” generated by the new stadium.
Since these revenues are projected to be higher than the combined costs to the city and the state, the park would pay for itself, BuildRI argues.
Addressing reporters, Fleming, the pollster, said 425 registered voters were questioned by phone during a three-day period at the beginning of the month. The sam-
ple represents about an equal number of men and women, most of them over 40 years old. About 51 percent identified themselves as politically independent, about 36 percent were Democrats and 13 percent Republicans. Roughly 16 percent said at least one member of the household was a union member.
“When the voters were first told that it would cost taxpayers money, they were opposed to it,” Fleming said. “When it was explained, they were for it.”
In addition to registering in favor of the proposed financing package, 71 percent of Fleming’s sample said they feel “it is important for the Pawtucket Red Sox to remain in Rhode Island, and even more – 76 percent – said that the ball club, the city of Pawtucket and the state of Rhode Island “should all work together to keep the team in Rhode Island.”
The PawSox released a statement later on Monday responding to the survey release.
“We’re pleased to learn today that nearly 60 percent of Rhode Island voters support the proposed ballpark, with a whopping 71% of voters believing it’s important for the PawSox to remain in Rhode Island,” the statement from team officials said.
“These results reaffirm
what we have found as we continue to speak with people throughout the state, and we look forward to continuing our education effort on the proposed extension of this critical public-private partnership.”
Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien, one of the most vocal cheerleaders for keeping the PawSox in the city they’ve called home for some four decades, didn’t attend the press briefing, but he said later he was heartened by the results of the BuildRI poll.
“It is clear that Rhode Islanders support moving our state forward with this economic development opportunity for Pawtucket and Rhode Island,” Grebien said. “Rhode Islanders are right to be cautious, to ask questions and make sure we are making the right investments. This investment will support the city’s financial and economic development potential, as well as bring in new needed revenue above the current $2 million to the state.”
Grebien said the polls demonstrates that residents support the project when they are given complete, accurate information about it.
He stressed that the facility is envisioned as a public, year ‘round sports and entertainment venue that is “heavily supported” by private investment from the PawSox. He
said the proposal has been discussed and vetted in multiple forums for over a year, including a lengthy series of public hearings, and it now plain that “Rhode Island residents agree that this is the right investment and that we need to get this done now.”
BuildRI President Michael Sabitoni agreed, saying he survey demonstrates that most residents are in favor of the deal that’s on the table to keep the PawSox in Pawtucket.
Sabitoni says the list of those on record who favor the deal is a who’s who of the state’s top political figures, including Gov. Gina Raimondo, General Treasurer Seth Magaziner, Secretary of State Gina Raimondo, most of the Senate and multiple mayors.
“Then line up who’s not in support of this,” he said. “This list is very small. Consider the polls, but at the end of the day, let’s roll up our sleeves and get to where we need to get to keep the Pawtucket Red Sox in Pawtucket where they belong. It would be a real shame to continue to drive by that Apex site and think about what could have been. With some vision and courage, we can change that dynamic.”
At the very least, Sabitoni said, regardless of how the chips may fall, the PawSox deserve an up or down vote
from state lawmakers this session as “a courtesy” to such a venerable institution in local baseball.
If it passes, Sabitoni says, “Great. We will construct thist facility and it will be the cat-h alyst for revitalizing downtown Pawtucket; if it does not, at least we have treated at long-standing business with-w in our state with the respect it, and other businesses, de-p serve.”
Mancini makes no secretr of BuildRI’s pro-stadium bias – the project could translate into work for scores oft union members for whom the trades group advocates.h While Mancini says there’s no guarantee that those jobsb will go to union members if the stadium does get the legislature’s green light, he says that ultimately the project is right for the unions, the statew and, most of all, the city of Pawtucket. t
He’s says the poll is a case of BuildRI’s exercising its First Amendment rights, and it fully intends to continue to do so as the debate over thet Ball Park at Slater Mill nears a tipping point.
“It’s our hope to convince the Speaker and all the representatives,” said Mancini. “I think everyone knows this is a good deal for Pawtucket and we want to build it. There’s still time, I think, it’sn not the ninth inning yet.”