Mayor: Move on PawSox ballpark before it’s too late

PAWTUCKET – “The Pawtucket Red Sox belong in Pawtucket.”

With those seven words began an eight-paragraph statement from Mayor Donald R. Grebien, in which he reiterates his stance for a new downtown ballpark, which would be the future home of the PawSox. He writes that the new stadium could be an economic development game-changer for the city and state, and that losing the organization could be damaging to both entities.

“The city of Pawtucket led by my administration and supported by the City Council and our partners like the 20/20 group, Pawtucket Foundation, Blackstone Valley Tourism, residents and fellow mayors will continue to fight to keep the Pawtucket Red Sox here in Pawtucket, Rhode Island,” the statement reads. “The City and the state cannot afford to lose the premier AAA franchise team of the Boston Red Sox. We especially can’t afford to lose the current revenue to the state.”

The statement from Grebien comes one day after Worcester Magazine published an article saying that PawSox Chairman Larry Lucchino, along with other members of the franchise’s front office, made the pilgrimage north to Worcester for a tour and meeting hosted by the city’s mayor and other local officials.

The PawSox confirmed to The Times that a meeting took place, saying they were merely responding to an invitation from Worcester officials.

“The club toured the city’s bustling Canal District and learned of Worcester’s interest in the PawSox,” the statement read.

Despite the PawSox earlier this month announcing that they would respond to cities who present proposals for potential ballpark sites and last Friday’s tour of Worcester’s Canal District, Grebien in his statement chose to focus his attention on state leaders, saying that the issue at hand is the need to “take the team off the market and move Rhode Island forward.”

“The team has stepped up and put forward the largest commitment in a public park. I have been concerned and been vocal that the longer we wait the more outreach the team will receive,” the mayor said. “We will lose the PawSox, the increased economic development and revenue without leadership and action – something we cannot allow to happen.”

“We will be sorry when we lose one of the last affordable family-friendly options in the area,” the statement continues.

“The governor agrees that the PawSox organization is an asset to our state and to our community and the proposal generates millions of dollars in existing revenue and hundreds of jobs while keeping the team here for another 30 years,” Grebien says in his statement, adding that the city’s State House delegation, which introduced the ballpark financing legislation, “are helping to champion this vital initiative at the State House.”