When the PawSox owner, Ben Mondor, died in 2010, the future of the team was cast into doubt. A new ownership group took over the team earlier this year. Then, two months later, they unveiled their request for taxpayers’ help to build a new stadium on part of the former I-195 land in Providence. The team asked for 120 million dollars in state lease payments and a 30-year exemption from Providence property taxes. The proposal sparked a mostly negative reaction from the public. Earlier this week, Rhode Island Public Radio and Brown University’s Taubman Center For Public Policy hosted a public forum to discuss the issues surrounding the proposed stadium.
Portions of the program were edited due to technical difficulties with the audio recording.Segment 1
Panelists:
Sports Economist Victor Matheson
Urban Planning and Design Expert Jack Robbins
Boston Red Sox Executive Vice President Charles Steinberg
Moderator: RIPR Political Reporter Ian Donnis
The event was held Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at The Friedman Auditorium, Metcalf Research Building, Brown University.