Larry Lucchino Outlines Benefits For Proposed Ballpark In Downtown Providence

BOSTON (CBS) - In an op-ed in the Providence Journal, Red Sox president/CEO Larry Lucchino lays out the vision for a new stadium in downtown Providence for Boston's Triple-A affiliate, who are currently located in Pawtucket.

The article, titled "Downtown Park Will Be R.I. Gem," cites numerous reasons why a downtown stadium will be beneficial for the state of Rhode Island, including but not limited to:

- Affordable Family Entertainment

- Catalyst For Re-Development

- Economic Stimulation

- Vibrant Downtown

- Urban Asset

(For the full list of reasons, click here)

Many Rhode Island residents are skeptical of the economic benefits promised by Lucchino and prominent Ocean State businessman/PawSox owner James Skeffington, who abruptly passed away on May 17.

Lucchino, while still grieving from the loss of his friend, writes in the op-ed that he is committed to the fulfillment of Skeffington's dream: "a beautiful, state-of-the-art, multi-purpose, well-located ballpark near the heart of downtown Providence."

Lucchino indicates that he is in the process of renegotiating their original proposal, and adds that it will take public-private cooperation to see this project through.