RI PowerPlayer: James Skeffington
GoLocalProv Business Team
RI PowerPlayer: James Skeffington
There has been a lot of buzz about the prospect of the PawSox moving out of Pawtucket. You are looking to relocate the team to Providence. What drives this move?
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTMcCoy has served this state well for several generations but it now requires substantial investment and renovation in order to remain competitive with other AAA teams throughout the country. It is actually the oldest ballpark in our International League and as such, lacks many amenities our players and fans deserve. Additionally, the location of McCoy Stadium does not allow our fans to enjoy restaurants and shopping before or after games, provides very limited public transportation and has no visibility from highways and major roadways, making it difficult even for life-long Rhode Islanders to easily locate the stadium.
We will always treasure the memories we all have for McCoy Stadium but we believe the time is right to embrace a new, state-of-the-art ballpark. The Red Sox wants the fans and players of its Triple A franchise to enjoy all the state-of-the art amenities that other competing teams in our league now offer in their new ballparks. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Rhode Islanders to come together as a community and keep an iconic Triple A Minor League Baseball team in the state.
You have your eye on the vacant lot by former I-95 as the grounds for a new stadium. Can you tell us a bit about your vision there?
We propose to build a new, multi-purpose, state-of-the-art ballpark on an eight-acre parcel of largely vacant land in downtown Providence. Our proposed site is located on the banks of the Providence River, visible from both Interstate 195 and 95 highways that lead into our capital city.
There are thousands of people who live or work within a 15 minute walk to the proposed site of the new ballpark. It’s in close proximity to many outstanding restaurants, office buildings and retail sites in downtown Providence. There are approximately 3,000 nearby surface and structured parking spaces and the site is easily accessible by train and bus service.
It’s not just a great location for a ballpark, it’s the perfect location!
But we are proposing to build more than just a ballpark for baseball. We propose to build a multi-purpose ballpark which will not only offer 72 home baseball games but will also provide a home for college and interscholastic football games as well as possible, soccer and lacrosse games and will serve as a convenient venue for exciting musical and cultural concerts and community activities.
If the stadium’s move to Providence is not successful, where else would you look to build it?
Our objective is to keep our team in Rhode Island. That is Plan A and we are only focused on Plan A. If plan A for any reason does not appeal to the state, if the state does not share our vision, or our confidence that our multi-purpose ballpark will be a game changer, we will of course be required to focus our attention on a Plan B and explore other New England locations. That said, we remain confident that a new ballpark in downtown Providence will not only keep the Triple A Red Sox farm team in our state, but it will also energize our capital city, promote and increase civic pride and serve as an effective catalyst to stimulate vital economic development on the 195 lands.
You have been involved in many major projects in the state. In your years of working with the state and project developments, what has been your proudest accomplishment?
I have been blessed to have had the privilege of working on many milestone projects in my home state. All of them were special and exciting and each presented great challenges and at the same time; great benefits to the state. So, too, does this project.
My partners and I have invested both our time and capital in this project because we think it will be a game changer for the state and city. I am very proud of all of the projects on which I have worked and I believe this one will be a great success. Professional sports franchises have a unique capacity to serve as a platform to help charitable causes in their home community. Our goal is to have our team be that platform.
It will not be a panacea that solves all our problems. But we believe it will help light a spark. It will change our spirit and lift our hopes for a more exciting future.
As a born and raised Rhode Islander, what is your favorite thing about Providence?
I love the smallness of it. I love the spirit and the pride of the people who live and work here. I love the beauty of its architecture and its long and proud history of caring and excelling in the arts, education and athletics. And I love the water and the shoreline which invites us to admire how blessed we are to live here. I also love the willingness of our neighbors to help those who suffer misfortune – be it here or in some other region of our country or even the world.
There is much to be proud of in Rhode Island. We may be a small state but our past has been great. We need to act with confidence to insure our future will be even greater than our past. We would like to join others in rekindling our pride instilling more optimism about our future and destiny.
Who do you look up to?
I look up to leaders who work hard to serve others and lift our spirits. Leaders who dare to speak and act with bravery and conviction. People who strive to bring about change that will help make a difference in our lives. Pope Francis is one such current leader who comes to my mind. Captain Louie Zamperini is another. Welles Crowther, the “Man in the Red Bandana”, is a third.
What is the best book you’ve ever read?
“Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand. The compelling story of a real American hero who refused to be broken and who never surrendered his values.
Leaders React to PawSox Owners' Providence Stadium Proposal
Gary Sasse
Former Rhode Island Director of Administration, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council, and Founding Director of the Hassenfeld Institute for Public Leadership at Bryant University
"A minor league ballpark may not be an economic game changer. Thus it's cost and benefits must evaluate environmental, cultural, social and economic factors. The key point is any stadium should be consistent with the overall strategic development of Providence. This story has not been told yet."
Edward Mazze
University of Rhode Island Distinguished Professor of Business
"I would like to see the PawSox stay in Rhode Island. I do not think Rhode Islanders should pay for a new stadium for the next several decades or see Providence not collect taxes that could make it to a better city.....with better schools, lower property taxes and a lower automobile tax. To support the current proposal, there has to be tax payments to Providence, a financial deal with Pawtucket by the owners or the state to deal with the empty stadium and the owners paying for the new stadium with little in the way of state government assistance.
If there is state government financing assistance, there must be a guarantee that the team would not leave the state for the length of time of the financing. It would be interesting if the owners would consider selling "seat licenses" as a way of raising funds to build the stadium. This would be a real market test as to whether or not there is a need for a new stadium."
Monique Chartier
Spokesperson, RI Taxpayers
"The Paw Sox owners have asked the City of Providence for a waiver of property taxes. But the last thing that Providence needs is to remove yet another property from tax rolls. City Council President Luis Aponte's request that state taxpayers make up lost property taxes is understandable but out of the question, especially in light of the state's own very serious budget deficits.
Governor Raimondo has correctly pointed out that the state has very limited resources to invest in economic growth. These limited resources cannot go to develop prime public land into a very seasonal use that will have minimal impact on the economy at a substantial cost to local and state taxpayers. Our state leaders must say no to this project and return to the vitally important work of helping ALL businesses, not just one, by improving the state's tax and regulatory climate. We as a state can consider whether to participate in the luxury of a sports stadium as soon as our economy is healthy again."
Pam Gencarella
Spokesperson, OSTPA
"If Skeffington and his very wealthy partners want the PawSox in Providence then they should put an offer on the table that covers all of the costs to make it happen. They must provide revenue to the state for the land that they want to develop, and property tax revenue on its full value to the capitol city."
Pictured: James Skeffington
Mike Stenhouse
CEO, RI Center for Freedom and Prosperity
If the team is seeking taxpayer dollars, then taxpayers should get something in return, whether a share of equity or a slice of team revenues. For example, the federal government received equity for its investment in GM, while the Green Bay Packers are owned by citizen shareholders. It's not beyond possibility; let's find a way to make it happen."
Terrence Hassett
Senior Deputy Majority Leader, Providence City Council
"I believe the stadium is beneficial to Providence and the state. The parking capacity must be resolved in favor of the stadiums' fans that is fair and reasonable. What events and other uses are not being presented which I find troublesome. A stadium is a great venue for families, colleagues and generally, baseball fans to enjoy. A $120 million commitment from state taxpayers is a large role asked of them wherein the return on the participation is not convincing to date."
Aaron Regunberg
Rhode Island State Representative, (D-Dist 4, Providence)
"For me to support a deal, that $120 million figure needs to come down dramatically, and a strong community benefits agreement needs to be reached. I also think it would be reasonable - if the state is making a significant public investment in the project - to see the state receive a portion of the profits from the stadium."
Laurie White
President, Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce
"It is still in the early innings. The chamber was briefed on the proposal on Friday and we expect that it is subject to change. Conceptually, it is very exciting. Awaiting further details."
Gina Raimondo
Rhode Island Governor
"The PawSox are an important institution in Rhode Island and our goal is to keep them in the state," said Raimondo. "The idea of a stadium in downtown Providence that can be used for multiple purposes is exciting. That said, my top priority is getting Rhode Islanders back to work, and we have very limited resources to invest in economic growth - especially in the face of a large structural deficit. I am committed to working with Mayor Elorza, the Speaker, and the Senate President to evaluate whether this project is in the best interest of Rhode Island, and whether we can afford it."
Stefan Pryor
Rhode Island Commerce Secretary
"We hope and aim to keep this treasured team in Rhode Island. The project has the potential to enhance the vitality of a key district within our capital city. At the same time, this proposal involves a significant request for public resources. In collaboration with the City of Providence and the General Assembly, we will review this proposal in order to determine whether it makes financial sense and whether it will help catalyze the I-195 corridor."
Nicholas Mattiello
Rhode Island Speaker of the House of Representatives
"We have not received a written legislative proposal yet, but when we do, it will be thoroughly analyzed. I will be talking to my House colleagues and I will gauge public opinion before making any assessment on the direction the state should move in."
Teresa Paiva Weed
Rhode Island Senate President
"The proposal that has been presented by the new owners of the Paw Sox to build a professional ballpark in Providence potentially represents a significant investment in Rhode Island. The proposal will be fully analyzed by the full Senate in a thorough and transparent process.”
Jorge Elorza
Mayor, City of Providence
“The prospect of keeping the Red Sox’ Triple A team in Rhode Island represents a significant and exciting development opportunity for our city and state. We have coordinated to develop guidelines that ensure a thorough analysis of the stadium proposal. As Mayor, I am committed to continue working in close coordination with Governor Raimondo, Council President Aponte, our leaders in the General Assembly and the I-195 Commission as we move forward to make Providence and Rhode Island a better place to work, live and do business in the long term."
Luis Aponte
Providence City Council President
“The stadium has the potential to be catalytic and transformative in the way residents and visitors experience Downtown Providence. With the promise of drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators annually to the city, the stadium could help spur development of the nearby I-195 parcels, and generate additional revenue for the city and the state. We are committed to working with the Governor, the General Assembly, and the developers to ensure the project aligns with our goals and vision for the city, and that it is a good investment of our resources.”
Donald Grebien
Mayor of Pawtucket
"Perhaps the state should consider buying the franchise and reinvest in Pawtucket. It would be more cost effective and the state would have ownership at the end of the deal," said Grebien Communications Officer Rico Vota. "The Mayor has received many calls, emails and postings from fans throughout the state that do not support this current proposal. He is very careful to make sure that his decision is not solely based on the fact that he represents Pawtucket who would loose this valuable, historic ballpark. As someone who comes from the private sector, this deal only makes sense for the new business group and not the state of Rhode Island in its current structure."
