PawSox ballpark bill heads toward vote in Senate

PROVIDENCE – Tuesday marked the first day of the 2018 General Assembly session and saw the Senate introduce two revised bills concerning the $83-million Pawtucket Red Sox ballpark proposal.

Both bills (Nos. 2001 & 2002) were brought to attention by Senate Finance chairman William J. Conley Jr. and Pawtucket-based Senators Donna Nesselbush and Elizabeth A. Crowley.

“It basically reflects the revised legislation that the Finance Committee brought forward last month,” said Senate spokesman Greg Pare.

Weather permitting, the entire Senate Finance Committee will convene in Room 313 of the Statehouse on Thursday afternoon. The committee is expected to vote. In the event of inclement weather, the session will be postponed until Tuesday, Jan. 9.

“If there’s a vote on Thursday, it could go to the floor of the full Senate either Wednesday or Thursday of next week,” said Pare.

Bill No. 2001 is a joint resolution that authorizes the state to enter into finance and lease payment agreements in connection with the construction of a ballpark in Pawtucket. Bill No. 2002, an act relating to towns and cities, permits redevelopment agencies to finance the construction of projects for residential, recreational, commercial, industrial, institutional, public, or other purposes contemplated by a redevelopment plan.

The PawSox are looking to build a replica of Fenway Park in downtown Pawtucket where the mostly vacant Apex department store sits. The team is asking for $23 million from the state and $15 million from city of Pawtucket. As part of this public-private partnership, PawSox owners would contribute $45 million to the project.

Last month, the Senate Finance Committee presented the latest version of the ballpark legislation that was based on seven hearings and 28 hours of presentations and public testimony which took place in September and October. On Dec. 12, the PawSox responded with several concerns to the revised bill, which featured 11 amendments.

Pare told The Times on Tuesday that Senate Finance Committee chairman Conley has engaged in conversations with PawSox officials in response to the club making its worries public.

“Senator Conley has talked with them,” said Pare.