As negotiations continue for a new PawSox stadium in Providence, opponents will stage an unorthodox protest Monday. The group plans to gather at the vacant lot proposed for the stadium and turn it into a park.
A park is exactly what opponents say will be taken from the city if the stadium is built. The parcel on former highway land was initially set aside for a large public park. The group “No New Stadium” plans to give residents a taste of what they may be missing if the park never materializes.
The group’s Facebook page says protesters will gather at the dusty lot for activities like horseshoes, Wiffle ball and kite flying.
Sam Bell of the Rhode Island Progressive Democrats is one of the opponents of the stadium proposal. Though he is not officially organizing the protest, he said he agrees with the spirit of the plan.
“Having a beautiful waterfront park is going to make the I-195 land and the Jewelry District, and in fact downtown, as a whole, a much more vibrant exciting place where people want to live,” said Bell.
PawSox owners say their proposal for a baseball stadium will bring more people and business downtown. They’ve put forward a new proposal to the state, though lawmakers say the issue likely won’t be dealt with until next year.
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