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Earlier this month, Rhode Islanders gathered at Federal Hill, the state's historic Italian district, to come together and watch the Euro Championship match of Italy vs. England. The spectators were electric and the community bond was stronger than ever after watching a little Sunday afternoon futbol.
In a few short years, that futbol bond will find a new meaning in the Ocean State. The timeline for construction of the Tidewater properties is set to begin after Labor Day. The preparations are underway! In June, the developer team (Fortuitous Partners) hired Dimeo construction to build the 11,000-seat stadium. At the end of last year, Pawtucket approved all the zoning changes for the stadium and the project as a whole, and according to the Providence Journal, the timeline states that construction will begin this fall.
The location of Tidewater Properties is right off of Taft Street in Pawtucket, RI, about five miles from the state's capital, Providence. The 14-acre plot was once home to a manufactured gas plant and utility National Grid. Soon enough, it will be the new home to over 300,000 sqft of office space, 200+ apartment buildings, shops, restaurants, and of course the multi-use sports stadium. This historic project is not only great for the sport but will provide an incredible boost to the state. The project is being paid for in part with a $50-million incentive package, which includes a $36-million loan to be repaid with a new city and state tax revenue collected in and around downtown Pawtucket, plus $14 million in state construction tax credits.
Last year, we had the great opportunity to chat with Brett Johnson, the Founder of Fortuitous Partners. Brett, who is a Rhode Islander through-and-through, is also the founder of USL Rhode Island, which will be the Ocean State’s second professional team when it starts competing in Pawtucket in 2023. We discuss Brett’s undergraduate days at Brown University, his impressive business career, and the future of soccer in both the USA and abroad.