Pawtucket???s downtown and the 20/20 development vision:
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The 20/20 downtown vision is already very bright. Projects within the Growth Center District like the transit hub at the commuter rail stop, the bikeway, the reinvigoration of the parking garage, the Broad Street revitalization, Festival Pier, etc. are laying the foundation for private investment like Isle Brewers Guild to truly take off.
The transit oriented development potential, with more than 2 million square feet of vacant and underutilized mill space in the immediate area of the train station, is exciting for our city and all of the Blackstone Valley. The potential multiplier effect of the commuter rail cannot be overstated, and then when you add in these other projects we are really reaching that critical mass.
The report shows the potential for a dramatic impact on downtown Pawtucket from an investment in a stadium downtown. The numbers pretty starkly point to the Apex site being superior to Tidewater.
Additionally, the report highlights significant economic development opportunities in the immediate area coupled with the potential of a ballpark at Slater Mill, would in turn catalyze many of the properties downtown including the Division Street project. The ancillary development around the immediate area has tremendous potential return for both the City of Pawtucket and the State of Rhode Island.
We believe the scope of reference in the report is conservative and appropriate, however, we also feel that this potential development would have increased ancillary development spillover into downtown, west of the river. All of this could be furthered, in part, by the development group the PawSox themselves recently founded.
The addition of the ballpark at Slater Mill along with the additional entertainment activity being a drawn in the downtown, with over 500,000 visitors annually just for baseball and many other uses drawing visitors into downtown to patronize other businesses while visiting the destination.
Pawtucket’s 20/20 conducted a poll of downtown property and business owners shows that 90%+ believe that a downtown stadium would be a catalyst for economic development in Pawtucket???s downtown (90%+ are also more confident in Pawtucket???s future for growth today than they were 5 years ago).
A ballpark at Slater Mill would be an impressive gateway into Rhode Island on 95 South, and would complement the new Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park.
For Pawtucket and Rhode Island, the implications are truly a win-win. We can preserve and enhance the affordable, family-friendly entertainment asset that is the Pawtucket Red Sox, while also driving economic revitalization and investment in our downtown.
Statement regarding the impact of this study on the conversations surrounding the potential sites (McCoy, Apex, Tidewater): McCoy is still in our heart and is an important part of the ongoing discussions. The McCoy Study showed limited potential for economic development around the existing facility.
The study also identified a number of cost-drivers, with over $30M+ needed just to bring the facility up to code moving forward and another $30M+ to add amenities to bring the park to a AAA standard.
At the end of the day the investment needs to make sense and show economic viability. The McCoy analysis identified a number of challenges with surrounding economic development potential, which unfortunately would be the easiest way to fund any needed public investment in a facility without using existing tax dollars.
I still feel a great sentiment for McCoy. It???s been here my whole life. Heck, it???s been here 75 years, and that???s why my heart is keeping it in the mix.??
No matter where the investment ultimately makes the most sense for all involved, our focus is on creating an enhanced, multi-use venue that can be home to activity year-round. With great theatres like the Gamm and Mixed Magic, we envision outdoor performances and so much more.
We remain focused on keeping the PawSox in Pawtucket, protecting taxpayer dollars, and jumpstarting Pawtucket???s redevelopment.