EXCLUSIVE: Pawtucket Soccer Stadium Construction Fails to Deliver on Jobs

EXCLUSIVE: Pawtucket Soccer Stadium Construction Fails to Deliver on Jobs

The construction of the Pawtucket minor league soccer stadium — Tidewater Landing — was supposed to be a job creator for Rhode Island.

Now, GoLocal has secured a copy of a recent report on construction management prepared by the consulting firm JLL. The report reveals that the number of jobs created falls short of the number promised by developer and Governor Dan McKee’s administration.

The report, which has been kept private, is dated August 15, 2024, and was distributed to a top official at Commerce Rhode Island, Jeffrey Miller; Pawtucket officials; the developer, Brett Johnson; and investors.

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According to press reports by WJAR and the Boston Globe, the construction of the stadium would create more than 700 jobs.

“The report done by CSL [consulting firm] does say the project will lead to hundreds of jobs. It estimates the soccer stadium will lead to 132 jobs a year for 30 years and that 786 jobs will be tied to the construction of the facility,” reported WJAR.

 

Only a Fraction

The 59-page report secured by GoLocal states that just 80 jobs construction jobs have been created to date.

 

5.2 Manpower Adequacy

According to Mr. Manzolillo, the average tradesmen/women on site for July held around 80. Mr. Manzolillo had previously indicated that the manpower will increase to 100 through July 2024, however that increase did not occur. In our opinion, the manpower level has been low throughout for a project of this type [of] construction.

The delayed project funding forced a slower pace at the start, but we do see the levels increasing at the anticipated rate as additional areas are turned over. We would continue to advocate for greater manpower than is onsite and, in our opinion, the anticipated increases will be needed to achieve the current schedule.

A Monthly Manpower Log is being provided and reviewed periodically by our office.

The man referenced is Greg Manzolillo, Project Manager for Dimeo Construction, the construction company building the stadium.

 

Big Promises - Failed Reality

McKee, at the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, August 12, 2022, promised that the stadium would create jobs and protect taxpayers.

"With strong taxpayer protections, this project is going to spur economic development and momentum in Pawtucket and across Rhode Island," said McKee. "The Tidewater Project will not only create jobs in the Blackstone Valley but it will also create a new destination for Rhode Island. I'm proud that we're breaking ground on the stadium today and our team stands ready to continue working with the developer and city to launch the next phase of this project."

But neither is coming to fruition.

As GoLocal reported on February 8, 2024, the cost of public borrowing for Tidewater exploded. The Pawtucket bonds...to cover the $27 million of funding will now cost $54,285,000 in borrowing.

Over a 30-year period, taxpayers will pay $132 million in bond payments to finance the $27 million.

The financing deal by the McKee Administration has been widely ridiculed.

Despite the massive taxpayer investment, the state of Rhode Island has no ownership in the stadium and has no protection if the team folds.

Brett Johnson, the developer of the stadium, did not respond to requests for comment.

Commerce Corporation’s Miller refused to respond to questions.