Will City Subsidize Public Funds to Let Billionaires Bring PawSox to Worcester?

Friday, September 25, 2015

Patrick Sargent, GoLocalWorcester Reporter

McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket

Now that a deal has fallen through with the city of Providence, speculation is abound that Worcester might be a major player for the future home of the Pawtucket Red Sox.

The PawSox ownership group, led by former Boston Red Sox president Larry Lucchino, could not come to terms with Providence due to numerous obstacles with the waterfront property the team sought and the public outcry of the team’s proposal requiring $120 million in state subsidies.

While the prospect of bringing a major league affiliate to Worcester is enticing for baseball fans, would the city really be willing to subsidize funds to accommodate an ownership group worth billions?

As GoLocalWorcester reported in February, Tim Murray, President and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce said, “The doors are always open...I think people here would be willing to listen, but everyone recognizes this requires significant municipal assistance. Massachusetts, traditionally, has been reluctant to use tax dollars to those kind of things, and I think in most cases, appropriately so."

Public Money Will Be an Issue

Worcester’s City Manager Ed Augustus has consistently said that while he’s open to new ideas, he wouldn’t be open to using public money to build a new stadium in the city.

“I think what most economists not associated with teams find is that for professional sports, minor league sports is a low economic impact -- so the amount of public investment should be low," said Holy Cross Economics professor Victor Matheson. "That doesn't mean that you don't provide infrastructure, support, so people can get to the stadium efficiently. But putting a bunch of public money into the stadium to support someone else's business isn't the most prudent use of public funds.”

Wyman-Gordon Property

Murray said the city has looked previously at the Wyman Gordon site, discussed expanding the field at Lake Park, or partnering with one of the colleges or universities on a site to build a baseball stadium. Murray noted that things get tricky when you start looking at these sites when you begin dealing with property and land acquisition costs and clean-up costs.

Wyman-Gordon Land Could Be Ideal

“The 'WorSox' could purchase, clean up and build a fine stadium on the spacious Wyman Gordon property near Kelly Square. That location also has excellent highway access. What a welcome neighbor the team would be to the up-and-coming Canal District,” said City Councilor Gary Rosen. “Worcester, New England's second largest city, would be a much better home for the "WorSox." People from cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and beyond would flock to our city on a frequent basis to see such high level and quality baseball.”

The PawSox ownership continues to look at additional sites in Providence, but have no intention in staying in Pawtucket for any lengthy amount of time.

Rhode Island State Representative Nicholas Mattielo told GoLocal, "It is disappointing that negotiations have ended at the I-195 property (in Providence). I thought that would have been a very successful location. A stadium there would have brought the community together and would have acted as a catalyst for further economic development in Providence. Unfortunately, different entities put artificially high costs on a deal, which proved to be insurmountable.

"The direction the Pawtucket Red Sox take now is entirely up to them. I continue to believe that the PawSox are a valuable asset to Rhode Island and I will consider other viable options that the team may bring forward," Mattielo added.

Even as other areas in Rhode Island are explored, more cities in Massachusetts have sprung up in hopes of making a pitch to the team’s owners, including Springfield and New Bedford.

Rosen told GoLocal, “I think that the PawSox should leave the tiny state of Rhode Island altogether. That team will be lucky if its move to Providence, New England's third largest city, falls through. I think that our City Manager, Mayor, Council and crackerjack Economic Development team should make a pitch for the PawSox. If Boston can go after the Olympics, Worcester can go after this fine Triple A Red Sox affiliate.”