2019 -- S 0673 AS AMENDED

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LC002103

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- REDEVELOPMENT AGENCIES AND PROJECTS

     

     Introduced By: Senators Cano, Conley, Crowley, and Nesselbush

     Date Introduced: March 21, 2019

     Referred To: Senate Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Sections 45-33.4-2, 45-33.4-3 and 45-33.4-5 of the General Laws in

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Chapter 45-33.4 entitled "City of Pawtucket Downtown Redevelopment Project" are hereby

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repealed in their entirety.

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     45-33.4-2. Findings and legislative determinations.

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     (a) After lengthy study, review of and comment on various proposals, numerous public

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hearings, and substantial due diligence, the general assembly hereby finds that:

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     (1) McCoy Stadium was constructed seventy-five (75) years ago in the city, has

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undergone two renovations since that time and, being near the end of its useful life, will not meet

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the standards for Triple-A baseball without major repairs and renovations; and

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     (2) The estimated cost to repair and renovate McCoy Stadium is approximately the same

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as the cost of constructing a new facility, with no expected catalytic impact on ancillary

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development surrounding McCoy Stadium; and

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     (3) The downtown area of the city has been economically depressed and has seen very

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limited new infrastructure, development, or investment in decades and the ballpark is anticipated

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to jumpstart new economic initiatives in the city and in the Blackstone Valley and create new jobs

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in the state; and

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     (4) The city is developing a redevelopment plan that contemplates public uses of the

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ballpark and a mixed-use real estate development in an adjacent area that may include retail,

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entertainment, restaurant, public park, civic space, hotel, office space, and residential components

 

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as part of a larger redevelopment of downtown Pawtucket; and

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     (5) The ballpark will operate and be utilized as a public park and will create public

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recreational, social, and communal benefits; and

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     (6) It is proposed that the agency will own the ballpark and lease the ballpark to the team

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and that the state will not be a party to the lease or any sublease of the ballpark; and

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     (7) In order to reduce interest rate costs to finance the ballpark and land costs, the city has

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proposed that the agency will issue the bonds to finance such costs on a tax-exempt basis, to the

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extent permitted by federal tax law; and

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     (8) Revenues to be generated by the downtown Pawtucket redevelopment project are

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projected by industry experts to be more than sufficient to cover the costs of financing the

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ballpark and land costs; and

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     (9) Land costs and ballpark construction costs are expected to be approximately eighty-

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three million dollars ($83,000,000), excluding financing costs; and

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     (10) The PawSox propose to contribute forty-five million dollars ($45,000,000),

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including twelve million dollars ($12,000,000) in equity contributions from PawSox owners to

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the total project cost, which equity contributions shall be expended toward the construction of the

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ballpark and shall be expended in full no later than the opening of the ballpark, and thirty-three

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million dollars ($33,000,000) to be financed by bonds issued by the agency; and

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     (11) The bonds shall, to the extent practicable, be issued by means of a public offering,

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and shall not be sold by means of a private placement unless it is impracticable or economically

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inefficient to issue and sell the bonds in a public offering. If bonds are privately placed, the

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underwriters, placement agent, or purchasers of the bonds, or a municipal financial advisor

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registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, shall certify that the interest rates,

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prices, and yields of the bonds represent fair-market prices of the bonds.

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     (12) The team, the agency and the state shall conduct due diligence with the underwriters

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or placement agent for the bonds in accordance with federal securities laws and rules of the

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United States Securities and Exchange Commission and Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board

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to ensure that the contributions and financial responsibilities of the parties are fully and publicly

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disclosed.

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     (13) The state proposes to contribute state economic activity taxes realized from activities

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in the ballpark district and at McCoy Stadium to support bonds issued by the agency; and

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     (14) The city proposes to contribute city tax increment revenues and city economic

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activity taxes in order to support bonds of the agency; and

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     (15) Energy costs for public buildings are skyrocketing and will likely continue to

 

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increase; energy use by public buildings contributes substantially to the problems of pollution and

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global warming; public buildings can be built and renovated using high-performance methods

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that save energy, reduce water consumption, improve indoor air quality, preserve the

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environment, and make workers and students more productive; and

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     (16) The use of green and sustainable infrastructure in the development and construction

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of the ballpark will address stormwater runoff and reduce flooding, reduce pollutant levels in

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nearby waterways, and may reduce long-term operating costs of the ballpark.

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     (b) The general assembly hereby determines and declares that the financing, construction,

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and development of a ballpark in the city to be used primarily as a venue for minor-league

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baseball and also as a public park, as well as the redevelopment of the surrounding depressed

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neighborhood, are public uses that are in the interest of, and for benefit of, the citizens of the

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state, and will contribute substantially to the social and economic well-being of the citizens of the

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state and significantly enhance the economic development and employment opportunities within

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the city and the state;

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     (c) The general assembly hereby determines and declares that government support in

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facilitating the presence of minor-league baseball and the development of a public park in the city

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provides to the state and its citizens highly valued intangible benefits that increase the quality of

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life and civic relationships of their citizens; and

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     (d) The general assembly hereby determines and declares that the expenditure of public

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money for these purposes is necessary and serves a public purpose.

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     45-33.4-3. Contributions from parties.

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     Debt service payments on the bonds shall be payable from lease rental payments by the

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PawSox, from annual naming rights payments received by the PawSox, and any such other

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payments necessary to fully cover the team's annual lease obligation, state economic activity

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taxes, city tax increment revenues, and city economic activity taxes, each year for a period of up

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to thirty (30) years or any combination thereof.

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     45-33.4-5. Renewal and replacement reserve fund.

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     (a) The team, the agency, and the state shall establish and maintain a renewal and

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replacement reserve fund for the long-term capital needs of the ballpark to ensure that the

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ballpark remains a first-class, Triple-A minor-league baseball facility and an asset to the agency

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and the surrounding community. The team shall be responsible for a minimum of fifty percent

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(50%) of the costs of annual capital expenditures for structural repairs including, but not limited

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to, repairs and improvements to the roof and exterior walls of the facility, protective coatings,

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ramps, plumbing, and all repairs, replacements, and improvements, whether capital or ordinary,

 

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needed to preserve the ballpark. The team, the city, and the state, from legally available funds,

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shall contribute a combined minimum of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) per year

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in total to the renewal and replacement reserve fund for use to finance capital expenditures. The

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team shall contribute a minimum of seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) of the one hundred

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fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). Under no condition shall monies in the renewal and

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replacement reserve fund be utilized for operations of the ballpark or public park. The state, the

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team, and the agency shall jointly develop a renewal and replacement capital plan between every

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two (2) to five (5) years, which plan shall include directives to the parties to make contributions

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to the renewal and replacement reserve fund in order to carry out the capital improvements set

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forth in the renewal and replacement capital plan.

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     SECTION 2. Sections 45-33.4-1, 45-33.4-4 and 45-33.4-6 of the General Laws in

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Chapter 45-33.4 entitled "City of Pawtucket Downtown Redevelopment Project" are hereby

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amended to read as follows:

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     45-33.4-1. Definitions.

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     For purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to

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them herein:

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     (1) "Agency" means the Pawtucket redevelopment agency, established in accordance

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with chapter 31 of this title.

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     (2) "Ballpark" shall mean a new ballpark, currently known as the Ballpark at Slater Mill,

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and related facilities and parking in the city.

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     (2) "Arts district" means the economic development zone designated as the arts and

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entertainment district in the downtown area of the city described in § 44-30-1.1.

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     (3) "Ballpark district" means the ballpark district of the downtown Pawtucket

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redevelopment project area or tax increment master plan, including the ballpark known as McCoy

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Stadium, and related facilities and its immediately adjacent parcels within the redevelopment area

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approved by the agency in accordance with the procedures set forth in chapters 31, 32, and 33 and

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33.2 of this title.

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     (4) "Bonds" means revenue bonds issued by the Pawtucket redevelopment agency or the

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city in accordance with the provisions of chapters 31, 32, and 33 and 33.2 of this title in order to

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finance the ballpark and land costs a project, which bonds may be issued on a tax-exempt or

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taxable basis, on a fixed-rate basis or variable-rate basis, or any combination thereof, and may be

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issued in one or more sub-series and supported with letters or lines of credit, liquidity facilities,

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insurance or other support arrangements including, but not limited to, interest rate "caps",

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"floors", "collars", that the agency or city, as issuer, determines to be necessary or desirable for

 

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the purpose of generating savings or managing interest rates in connection with, or subsequent to,

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or incidental to the issuance, carrying, or securing of the bonds.

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     (5) "City" means the city of Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

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     (6) "City economic activity taxes" means city incremental tangible asset taxes, hotel

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taxes, food and beverage tax revenues, and non-real property assessments tax revenues from

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activities at McCoy Stadium in the arts district, the growth center district and the ballpark district,

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plus incremental tangible asset taxes, hotel taxes, food and beverage tax revenues, and non-real

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property assessments to be generated in and around the downtown Pawtucket redevelopment area

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as set forth in the economic activity taxes agreement negotiated by the governor and the state

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director of the department of revenue, as described in § 45-33.4-4, in addition to premium ticket

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surcharges.

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     (7) "City tax increment revenues" means revenues generated under chapter 33.2 of this

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title that are expected to include incremental real estate property taxes, personal property taxes,

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special assessments on real property, and betterment fees generated in and around the downtown

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Pawtucket redevelopment area arts district, the growth center district and the ballpark district.

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     (8) "Downtown Pawtucket redevelopment area" means the redevelopment area approved

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by the agency in accordance with the procedures set forth in chapters 31, 32, and 33 of this title.

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     (9) "Downtown Pawtucket redevelopment plan" means the redevelopment plan proposed

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to be approved by the agency pursuant to chapters 31, 32, and 33 of this title that contemplates

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public uses of the ballpark and a mixed use real estate development in an adjacent area that may

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include retail, entertainment, restaurant, public park, civic space, hotel, office space, and

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residential components as part of a larger redevelopment of downtown Pawtucket.

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     (10) "Downtown Pawtucket redevelopment project" means the project proposed to be

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approved by the agency in accordance with chapters 31, 32, and 33 of this title, that contemplates

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public uses of the ballpark and a mixed use real estate development in an adjacent area that may

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include retail, entertainment, restaurant, public park, civic space, hotel, office space, and

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residential components as part of a larger redevelopment of downtown Pawtucket.

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     (11)(8) "Economic activity taxes agreement" means the agreement by and among the

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agency, the city and the state described in § 45-33.4-4.

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     (12) "Land costs" means the cost of land acquisition for the ballpark and related

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infrastructure which shall include all related expenses of acquisition by purchase or through

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eminent domain.

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     (13) "Lease" means the lease agreement to be entered into by the agency, as lessor, and

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the team, as lessee, providing for the lease of, and payment of rentals for, the ballpark and related

 

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facilities.

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     (14) "McCoy Stadium" means the existing minor-league baseball stadium by that name

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located in the city.

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     (15) "PawSox" or "team" shall mean the Pawtucket Red Sox Baseball Club, LLC, its

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affiliates, successors, or assigns.

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     (16) "Renewal and replacement reserve fund" means the fund established pursuant to §

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45-33.4-5 to ensure funding of maintenance, renewal, and replacement of the ballpark and related

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facilities.

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     (9) Growth center district" means the growth center district described in a redevelopment

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plan or in ‎a tax increment district master plan approved by the agency in accordance with the

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procedures set forth ‎in chapters 31, 32, 33 and 33.2 of title 45, which shall have boundaries as

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follows: The area beginning at the point of intersection of Lonsdale Avenue and the Central

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Falls/Pawtucket line, continuing south on Lonsdale Avenue until Beecher Street, then heading

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east, then south, then east on Beecher Street to Coleman Street, then turning south onto Coleman

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Street to Carpenter Street, then heading east onto Carpenter Street to Conant Street, then turning

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south onto Conant Street, continuing to Main Street, then turning northeast onto Main Street to

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Church Street, then turning east onto Church Street to Pine Street, then turning south onto Pine

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Street to South Union Street, then turning east onto South Union Street to Park Place West, then

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turning south onto Park Place West to George St, continuing south onto George Street to Division

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Street, then turning east onto Division Street to Taft Street, then turning south onto Taft Street to

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Max Read Field, turning east at Max Read Field and crossing the Seekonk River, then turning

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south along Seekonk River boundary to the intersection of Berry Spring Street and School Street,

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continuing northerly onto School Street to Bowers Street, turning east onto Bowers Street to

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Prospect Street, then turning north onto Prospect Street to Interstate 95, turning northeast onto

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Interstate 95 to Walcott Street, turning west onto Walcott Street to Broadway, turning northerly

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onto Broadway to edge of Interstate 95, continuing north along the western edge of Interstate 95

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to Pawtucket/Attleboro city line, then turning west at the city line to the Blackstone River, then

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south along the city boundary on the Blackstone River, continuing westerly along the city line to

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the point where the city line intersects with Lonsdale Avenue.

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     (10) "Project" means any project as defined in § 45-33.2-3 or any capital project as

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defined in § 45-33.2-3.1 within the ballpark district, arts district or growth center district and shall

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include "project costs" as described in § 45-33.2-28, which definition shall apply irrespective of

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whether the project is described in a redevelopment plan or in a tax increment district master

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plan.

 

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     (11) "Redevelopment plan" means a redevelopment plan as defined in § 45-31-8.

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     (17)(12) "State" means the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

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     (18) "State economic activity taxes" shall mean existing tax revenues realized from

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activities at McCoy Stadium and tax revenue in the ballpark district of the downtown Pawtucket

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redevelopment area assessed and collected under chapters 18, 19, and 30 of title 44.

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     (13) "State economic activity taxes" means incremental tax revenues realized in the arts

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district, the growth center district and the ballpark district assessed and collected under chapters

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11, 18, 19, and 30 of title 44 as set forth in the economic activity taxes agreement negotiated by

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the governor and the state director of the department of revenue, provided, however, that state

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economic activity taxes shall not include existing tax revenues unless: 1) the project is to

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facilitate an expansion of an existing business that will otherwise be unable to increase the

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number of full-time employees in the State; or 2) the commerce corporation certifies in writing

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that a defined amount of revenues from the districts collected and assessed under chapters 18, 19,

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and 30 of title 44 are necessary to finance or complete a given project; 3) the public investments

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made under this chapter for a project can be demonstrated to have a likely appreciable positive

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impact on the revenues of an existing business within the district; or 4) the project is necessary to

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retain a businesses that is at substantial risk of relocating to a viable location out-of-state as

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verified by the Rhode Island commerce corporation. The commerce corporation shall establish,

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by regulation, the documentation that shall be required to verify compliance under this

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subsection. In order to assist the commerce corporation in verifying compliance, the affected

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business's chief executive officer, or equivalent officer, shall attest under oath:

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     (a) With respect to any portion of a project that is financing municipal or public facilities,

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that the project is needed and that the financing of the project is in the public interest; or

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     (b) With respect to any portion of the project providing financing for industrial or

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commercial development purposes that unemployment or the threat of unemployment exists in

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the city or that security against future unemployment is required, that the project is needed, that it

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will provide employment or security against loss of employment, including the approximate

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number of new jobs that should be created or preserved, construction and nonconstruction, their

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approximate wage rates, what types of fringe benefits such as healthcare or retirement benefits

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there will be, and the projected increase in personal income taxes to the state of Rhode Island, all

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having a reasonable relationship to the probable cost of acquiring, establishing, improving, or

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rehabilitating the facilities in which the employment is to be provided or maintained.

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     (12)(14) "Tax increment district master plan" means a tax increment district master plan

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as defined in § 45-33.2-3.1.

 

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     (19) "Ticket" means any physical, electronic, or other form of certificate, document, or

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token showing that a fare, admission, or license fee for a right to enter the ballpark has been paid.

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     45-33.4-4. Authorization of economic activity taxes agreement.

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     (a) The state, acting by and through the department of revenue, is authorized to enter into

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an economic activity taxes agreement with the agency and the city with a term coterminous with

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the bonds for the purposes of financing a portion of the ballpark and land costs and costs projects,

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associated with the bonds bonding costs, including capitalized interest, debt service reserves, and

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costs of issuance. The Such economic activity taxes agreement may include such covenants and

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undertakings of the state as the state director of the department of revenue and the governor deem

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reasonable, including, without limitation, provisions enabling the payment of amounts under the

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economic activity taxes agreement from legally available funds for each fiscal year during which

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any bonds are outstanding. The division of taxation may issue rules and regulations with respect

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to this section.

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     (b) The Such economic activity taxes agreement and the pledge and assignment of the

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state economic activity taxes shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter rather than the

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provisions of chapter 64.21 of title 42. Beginning no earlier than July 1, 2019 Upon the execution

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of an economic activity taxes agreement, the state such economic activity taxes shall be

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segregated by the state division of taxation from all other tax revenues of the state and deposited

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on a monthly basis into a restricted account known as the "downtown Pawtucket redevelopment

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economic activity taxes fund". However, in the event an economic activity taxes agreement has

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not been signed by June 30, 2020, incremental tax revenues realized in the arts district, the

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growth center district and the ballpark district assessed and collected under chapters 18 and 19 of

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title 44 shall be segregated by the state division of taxation and deposited into the downtown

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Pawtucket redevelopment economic activity taxes fund. Monies deposited in the downtown

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Pawtucket redevelopment economic activity taxes fund may be applied to payment of debt

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service on the bonds; to fund debt service reserves; to the state's contributions to the renewal and

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replacement reserve fund; to costs of infrastructure improvements in and around the area of the

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downtown Pawtucket redevelopment project ballpark district, arts district and the growth center

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district; to fund future debt service on the bonds; and to fund a redevelopment revolving fund

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established in accordance with § 45-33-1. If monies economic activity taxes remain in the such

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downtown Pawtucket redevelopment economic activity taxes fund at the end of the state's fiscal

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year, the monies shall be retained in the fund to be applied in future fiscal years and shall not be

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applied to reduce future payments but may be applied to "super sinker", "turbo" or other

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redemption of the bonds, such that if the agency receives revenues in excess of requirements in

 

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the bond indenture or trust agreement securing the bonds, it may retire the bonds may be retired.

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Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the pooling of revenues for the payment of the bonds,

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provided that the economic activity taxes agreement, bond indenture, or trust agreement shall

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provide for a reconciliation of contributions of the team, the agency, the city and the state from

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time to time, but no less than every three (3) years. The reconciliation shall be subject to review

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by the state auditor general. The review shall be provided to the governor, speaker of the house,

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and the president of the senate; provided however, that the state hereby pledges to and agrees

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with any person, firm, or corporation, or federal agency subscribing to or acquiring any bonds

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secured by revenues under this chapter, that the state will not limit or alter the rights vested in the

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city or the agency or such bondholders until all bonds at any time issued, together with their

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interest, are fully met and discharged. The state does further pledge to and agree with the United

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States, and any other federal agency, that in the event that any federal agency constructs or

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contributes any funds for the construction, extension, improvement, equipping, furnishing, or

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enlargement of any project, or any portion of it, the state will not alter or limit this chapter in any

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manner that would be inconsistent with the due performance of any agreements with the federal

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agency; and the city and the agency continue to have and may exercise all powers granted by this

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chapter, so long as the powers are necessary or desirable for the carrying out of the purposes of

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this chapter.

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     (c) The economic activity taxes agreement shall not constitute indebtedness of the state or

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any of its subdivisions, or a debt for which the full faith and credit of the state or any of its

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subdivisions is pledged. The state's obligation to make payments of state economic activity taxes

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under the state economic activity taxes agreement shall be solely from legally available funds.

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     (d) The economic activity taxes agreement may be terminated upon agreement of the

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parties thereto, provided, however, the economic activity taxes agreement shall not be terminated

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so long as any bonds secured by the economic activity taxes remain outstanding.

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     (e) By no later than September 30, 2019, the State Department of Revenue shall establish

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the baseline to be used in the calculation of State revenues in the State Economic Activity Tax

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Agreement. By that date, the Department of Revenue, in consultation with the State Commerce

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Corporation shall develop a template of an Economic Activity Tax Agreement to be executed

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between the City, the Agency and the State at such time that a redevelopment project is submitted

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for consideration. Upon submission of a redevelopment project by the City or the agency for

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financing under this statute, the State shall complete negotiations and finalize approval of an

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Economic Activity Agreement within 120 days of the submission of the request for financing.

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     (f) Not later than February 1 of each year commencing February 1, 2022, the city, the

 

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agency and the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation shall submit a performance review report to

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the general assembly which includes, but is not limited to, the following information: sources and

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uses of project funds, permanent job and construction job creation numbers, local and State tax

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revenue estimates and project completion schedules.

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     45-33.4-6. Additional agreements of the team, the city and the agency. Green

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construction and cost saving measures.

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     (a) The lease shall be negotiated and executed forthwith upon the passage of this chapter

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and the lease shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following terms:

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     (1) The lease period shall be for a term not fewer than thirty (30) years, which term shall

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commence upon the completion of the construction of the ballpark, shall establish the obligations

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and commitments of the team and the Minor League Baseball Association, and shall not be

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subject to any escape clause; and

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     (2) The team shall be responsible for the daily maintenance of the ballpark, including, but

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not limited to, keeping the facility in good condition and repair, maintaining the office areas,

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furnishings, fixtures, and equipment, and maintaining the general cleanliness of the ballpark, and

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shall be responsible for the financial costs associated with this maintenance.

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     (b) The general assembly encourages the city to provide planning and operational

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assistance with respect to the "public park" aspect of the ballpark, which will operate year-round

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in and around the ballpark separate and apart from the ballpark's baseball-related uses.

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     (c) The team shall be solely responsible for any ballpark construction costs that exceed

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the projected eighty-three million dollar ($83,000,000) total project cost.

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     (d) In the event that the total ballpark construction costs and land costs are less than the

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projected eighty-three million dollars ($83,000,000), or in the event that not all of the bond

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proceeds are needed to complete the specified project, any unused bond proceeds shall be used to

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pay the debt service on the bonds as provided in the bond indenture, trust agreement, or economic

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activity taxes agreement. No land costs or ballpark construction costs savings will be credited

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toward the team's twelve million dollar ($12,000,000) equity contribution.

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     (e) Members of the team ownership shall develop independently, or with partners secure

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the development of, a minimum of fifty thousand square feet (50,000 ft2) of real estate on the

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ballpark site or in the ancillary redevelopment area, subject to the city or agency's acquisition and

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delivery of developable land, and the development shall align contemporaneously with the

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construction of the ballpark.

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     (f) Advance ticket prices for children, senior citizens, and general admission will not

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increase from the cost of those tickets in the 2017 regular and postseason for a minimum period

 

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of five (5) years from the opening of the ballpark, or before September 30, 2025, whichever is

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earlier.

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     (g) Any person working at the ballpark during the planning, construction, or operational

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phases, including, but not limited to, concessions, the box office, or custodial services, shall be

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employed with the protections of both federal and state labor standards, including fair pay, health

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and safety, anti-discrimination, and provisions that prevent labor misclassification by incorrectly

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designating workers as "independent contractors".

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     (h) The contract for construction of the ballpark shall be a guaranteed maximum price

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contract.

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     (i)(a) The general assembly encourages:

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     (1) The use of green and sustainable building materials, techniques, and standards,

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including those enacted by the general assembly in the Rhode Island green buildings act, chapter

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24 of title 37; and

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     (2) The use of highly efficient energy systems, the use of water conservation measures,

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and the potential use of on-site renewable energy generation in the development and construction

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of the ballpark project.

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     (j)(b) In furtherance of building an energy efficient and sustainable ballpark, projects, the

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general assembly encourages the use of financing programs available through the Rhode Island

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infrastructure bank established pursuant to chapter 12.2 of title 46, including, to the extent

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practicable, the state revolving funds and the efficient buildings fund, which provide low-cost

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financing for eligible renewable and energy efficiency, stormwater abatement, water

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conservation, and other sustainable infrastructure projects.

23

     SECTION 3. Sections 45-32-5, 45-32-24.1 and 45-32-24.2 of the General Laws in

24

Chapter 45-32 entitled "Redevelopment Projects" are hereby amended to read as follows:

25

     45-32-5. Corporate powers of agencies.

26

     (a) Each redevelopment agency constitutes a public body, corporate and politic,

27

exercising public and essential governmental functions, and has all the powers necessary and

28

convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of chapters 31 -- 33 of this

29

title, including the powers enumerated in this section in addition to others granted by these

30

chapters:

31

     (1) To sue and be sued; to borrow money; to compromise and settle claims; to have a

32

seal; and to make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient to the

33

exercise of its powers.

34

     (2) To make, and, from time to time, amend and repeal bylaws, rules, and regulations,

 

LC002103 - Page 11 of 21

1

consistent with chapters 31 -- 33 of this title, to carry into effect the powers and purposes of these

2

chapters.

3

     (3) To select and appoint officers, agents, counsel, and employees, permanent and

4

temporary, as it may require, and determine their qualifications, duties, and compensation.

5

     (4) Within the redevelopment area or for purposes of redevelopment: to purchase, lease,

6

obtain an option upon, acquire by gift, grant, bequest, devise, or otherwise, any real or personal

7

property, or any estate or interest in it, together with any improvements on it; to acquire by the

8

exercise of the power of eminent domain any real property or any estate or interest in it, although

9

temporarily not required to achieve the purposes of chapters 31 -- 33 of this title; to clear,

10

demolish, or remove any and all buildings, structures, or other improvements from any real

11

property so acquired; to rehabilitate or otherwise improve any or all substandard buildings,

12

structures, or other improvements; to insure or provide for the insurance of any real or personal

13

property or operations of the agency against risk or hazard; and to rent, maintain, rehabilitate,

14

improve, manage, operate, repair, and clear the property.

15

     (5) To develop as a building site or sites any real property owned or acquired by it.

16

     (6) To cause streets and highways to be laid out and graded, and pavements or other road

17

surfacing, sidewalks, and curbs, public utilities of every kind, parks, playgrounds, and other

18

recreational areas, off-street parking areas and other public improvements to be constructed and

19

installed.

20

     (7) To prepare or have prepared all plans necessary for the redevelopment of blighted and

21

substandard areas; with the consent and approval of the community planning commission, to

22

carry on and perform, for and on behalf of the commission, all or any part of the planning

23

activities and functions within the community; to undertake and perform, for the community,

24

industrial, commercial, and family relocation services; to obtain appraisals and title searches; to

25

make investigations, studies, and surveys of physical, economic, and social conditions and trends

26

pertaining to a community; to develop, test, and report methods and techniques and carry out

27

research and other activities for the prevention and the elimination of blighted and substandard

28

conditions and to apply for, accept, and utilize grants of funds from the federal government and

29

other sources for those purposes; and to enter upon any building or property in any

30

redevelopment area in order to make investigations, studies, and surveys, and, in the event entry

31

is denied or resisted, an agency may petition the superior court in and for the county in which the

32

land lies for an order for this purpose. Upon the filing of a petition, due notice of it shall be served

33

on the person denying or resisting entry, and after a hearing on the petition, the court shall enter

34

an order granting or denying the petition.

 

LC002103 - Page 12 of 21

1

     (8) To undertake technical assistance to property owners and other private persons to

2

encourage, implement, and facilitate voluntary improvement of real property.

3

     (9) To undertake and carry out code enforcement projects pursuant to the provisions of

4

appropriate federal legislation.

5

     (10) To invest any funds held in reserves or sinking funds or any funds not required for

6

immediate disbursement, in property or securities in which savings banks may legally invest

7

funds subject to their control; and to purchase its bonds at a price not more than the principal

8

amount and accrued interest, all bonds so purchased to be cancelled.

9

     (11) To lend money, and to sell, lease, exchange, subdivide, transfer, assign, pledge,

10

encumber (by mortgage, deed of trust, or otherwise), or otherwise dispose of any real or personal

11

property or any estate or interest in it acquired under the provisions of chapters 31 -- 33 of this

12

title, to the United States, the state government, any state public body, or any private corporation,

13

firm, or individual at its fair value for uses in accordance with the redevelopment plan,

14

irrespective of the cost of acquiring and preparing the property for redevelopment. In determining

15

the fair value of the property for uses in accordance with the redevelopment plan, the agency shall

16

take into account, and give consideration to, the uses and purposes required by the plan, the

17

restrictions upon, and the obligations assumed by the purchaser or lessee of the property, and the

18

objectives of the redevelopment plan for the prevention of the recurrence of blighted and

19

substandard conditions. Any lease or sale of the property may be made without public bidding,

20

provided that no sale or lease is made until at least ten (10) days after the legislative body of the

21

community has received from the agency a report concerning the proposed sale or lease.

22

     (12) To obligate the purchaser or lessee of any real or personal property or any estate or

23

interest in it to:

24

     (i) Use the property only for the purpose and in the manner stated in the redevelopment

25

plan;

26

     (ii) Begin and complete the construction or rehabilitation of any structure or improvement

27

within a period of time that the agency fixes as reasonable; and

28

     (iii) Comply with other conditions that, in the opinion of the agency are necessary to

29

prevent the recurrence of blighted and substandard conditions and otherwise to carry out the

30

purposes of chapters 31 -- 33 of this title. The agency, by contractual provisions, may make any

31

of the purchasers' or lessees' obligations, covenants, or conditions running with the land, and may

32

provide that, upon breach thereof, the fee reverts to the agency.

33

     (13) To exercise all or any part or combination of the powers granted in this chapter.

34

     (14) To construct new buildings for residential, recreational, commercial, industrial,

 

LC002103 - Page 13 of 21

1

institutional, public, or other uses contemplated by the redevelopment plan.

2

     (15) To grant or loan any redevelopment project revenues, or other revenues, including

3

the proceeds of any issue of bonds or notes issued pursuant to this chapter to an individual or any

4

nonprofit organization or governmental or quasi-governmental entity or private enterprise, in

5

order to finance the cost of any portion of a redevelopment project authorized pursuant to

6

chapters 31 through 33 of this title, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the

7

cost of acquiring land for, and constructing or rehabilitating, furnishing and equipping residential,

8

commercial, industrial, institutional, public, or recreational facilities, within a redevelopment

9

area, or to loan bond or note proceeds in order to refinance any such loans.

10

     (16) To retain a master developer for all or any portion of a project. Any master

11

developer position ‎shall be subject to advertising and solicitation of applicants shall be approved

12

at a duly posted ‎public meeting of the agency.‎

13

     (b) Nothing contained in this chapter authorizes an agency to retain for a period in excess

14

of five (5) years from the date of acquisition, or within another additional period of time that the

15

legislative body fixes as reasonable, the fee or any estate or interest in it to any building,

16

structure, or other improvement, not demolished or otherwise removed, that has been acquired by

17

the agency in accordance with the redevelopment plan.

18

     45-32-24.1. Finding with respect to use of the power of eminent domain with respect

19

to recreational redevelopment projects that create and/or preserve jobs within the State.

20

Finding with respect to use of the power of eminent domain with respect to recreational

21

redevelopment projects that create and/or preserve jobs within the state and projects

22

financed with incremental tax revenues.

23

     (a) The general assembly hereby determines and declares that the financing, construction,

24

and development of recreational facilities projects (as defined in section 42-34-6(4) of the general

25

laws), with planned redevelopment of the surrounding project area, and projects financed with

26

incremental tax revenues pursuant to chapters 31, 32, 33, 33.2, and 33.4 of title 45 in

27

municipalities with a population greater than 60,000 but less than 80,000 that will create and/or

28

preserve jobs within the state, are public uses of statewide concern and are in the interest of, and

29

for benefit of, the citizens of the state, and will contribute substantially to the social and economic

30

well-being of the citizens of the state and significantly enhance the economic development and

31

employment opportunities within the state; and

32

     (b) The general assembly hereby determines and declares that government support in

33

facilitating the presence of recreational facilities projects (as defined in section 42-34-6(4) of the

34

general laws), with planned redevelopment of the surrounding project area and projects financed

 

LC002103 - Page 14 of 21

1

with incremental tax revenues pursuant to chapters 31, 32, 33, 33.2, and 33.4 of title 45 in

2

municipalities with a population greater than 60,000 but less than 80,000, and the creation and/or

3

preservation of jobs within the state, provides to the state and its citizens highly valued intangible

4

benefits that increase and/or improve the quality of life and civic relationships of their citizens.

5

     45-32-24.2. Power of eminent domain with respect to recreational redevelopment

6

projects that create and/or preserve jobs within the State. Power of eminent domain with

7

respect to recreational redevelopment projects that create and/or preserve jobs within the

8

state and projects financed with incremental tax revenues.

9

     (a) With respect to any project in the state that includes the financing, construction, and

10

development of recreational facilities projects (as defined in section 42-34-6(4) of the general

11

laws), with planned redevelopment of the surrounding project area, and projects financed with

12

incremental tax revenues pursuant to chapters 31, 32, 33, 33.2, and 33.4 of title 45 in

13

municipalities with a population greater than 60,000 but less than 80,000 that will create and/or

14

preserve jobs within the state, the provisions of this section shall apply rather than the provisions

15

of §§ 45-32-26 through 45-32-37.

16

     (b) The acquisition of real property for the construction of recreational facilities projects

17

(as defined in section 42-34-6(4) of the general laws), with planned redevelopment of the

18

surrounding project area and projects financed with incremental tax revenues pursuant to chapters

19

31, 32, 33, 33.2, and 33.4 of title 45 in municipalities with a population greater than 60,000 but

20

less than 80,000, that will create and/or preserve jobs within the state, is declared to be a public

21

use for economic development purposes.

22

     (c) If, for any of the purposes of this chapter, an agency shall find it necessary to acquire

23

any real property, whether for immediate or future use, the agency may find and determine that

24

the property, whether a fee simple absolute or a lesser interest, is required for the acquisition,

25

construction, or operation of a project, and upon that determination, the property shall be deemed

26

to be required for public use until otherwise determined by the agency; and with the exceptions

27

hereinafter specifically noted, the determination shall not be affected by the fact that the property

28

has been taken for, or is then devoted to, a public use; but the public use in the hands or under the

29

control of the agency shall be deemed superior to the public use in the hands of any other person,

30

association, or corporation; provided further, however, that no real property or interest, estate, or

31

right in these belonging to the state shall be acquired without consent of the state; and no real

32

property or interest, estate, or right in these belonging to any municipality shall be acquired

33

without the consent of the municipality; and no real property, or interest or estate in these,

34

belonging to a public utility corporation may be acquired without the approval of the public

 

LC002103 - Page 15 of 21

1

utility commission or another regulatory body having regulatory power over the agency.

2

     (d) As part of an agency's diligence in determining whether it is necessary to acquire

3

certain real property, whether for immediate or future use, the agency may enter the real property

4

and conduct environmental testing upon giving the owner not less than two (2) weeks' written

5

notice.

6

     (e) The agency may proceed to acquire, and is authorized to and may proceed to acquire,

7

property, whether a fee simple absolute or a lesser interest, by the exercise of the right of eminent

8

domain in the manner prescribed in this chapter.

9

     (f) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prohibit the agency from

10

bringing any proceedings to remove a cloud on title or any other proceedings that it may, in its

11

discretion, deem proper and necessary, or from acquiring property by negotiation or purchase.

12

     (g) The necessity for the acquisition of property under this chapter shall be conclusively

13

presumed upon the adoption by the agency of a vote determining that the acquisition of the

14

property or any interest in property described in that vote is necessary for the acquisition,

15

construction, or operation of a project. Within six (6) months after its passage, the agency shall

16

cause to be filed in the appropriate land evidence records a copy of its vote together with a

17

statement signed by the chairperson or vice-chairperson of the agency that the property is taken

18

pursuant to this chapter, and also a description of the real property indicating the nature and

19

extent of the estate or interest in the estate taken and a plat of the real property, which copy of the

20

vote and statement of the chairperson or vice-chairperson shall be certified by the secretary of the

21

agency and the description and plat shall be certified by the city or town clerk for the city or town

22

within which the real property lies.

23

     (h) Forthwith thereafter the agency shall cause to be filed, in the superior court in and for

24

the county within which the real property lies, a statement of the sum of money estimated to be

25

just compensation for the property taken, and shall deposit in the superior court to the use of the

26

persons entitled to the money the sum set forth in the statement. The agency shall satisfy the court

27

that the amount deposited with the court is sufficient to satisfy the just claims of all persons

28

having an estate or interest in the real property. Whenever the agency satisfies the court that the

29

claims of all persons interested in the real property taken have been satisfied, the unexpended

30

balance shall be ordered repaid forthwith to the agency.

31

     (i) Upon the filing of the copy of the vote, statement, description, and plat in the land

32

evidence records, and upon the making of the deposit in accordance with the order of the superior

33

court, title to the real property in fee simple absolute or any lesser estate or interest specified in

34

the resolution shall vest in the agency, and that real property shall be deemed to be condemned

 

LC002103 - Page 16 of 21

1

and taken for the use of the agency and the right to just compensation for the condemned property

2

shall vest in the persons entitled to compensation, and the agency thereupon may take possession

3

of the real property. No sum paid unto the court shall be charged with clerks' fees of any nature.

4

     (j) After the filing of the copy of the vote, statement, description, and plat, notice of the

5

taking of that land or other real property shall be served upon the owners of, or persons having

6

any estate or interest in, the real property by the sheriff, or his or her deputies, of the county in

7

which the real estate is situated by leaving a true and attested copy of the vote, statement,

8

description, and plat with each of those persons personally, or at the last and usual place of abode

9

in this state with some person living there, and in case any of those persons are absent from this

10

state and have no last and usual place of abode therein occupied by any person, the copy shall be

11

left with the person or persons, if any, in charge of, or having possession of, the real property

12

taken of the absent persons, and another copy shall be mailed to the address of the person, if the

13

address is known to the officer serving the notice.

14

     (k) After the filing of the vote, description, and plat, the agency shall cause a copy to be

15

published in some newspaper having general circulation in the city or town in which the real

16

property lies at least once a week for three (3) successive weeks.

17

     (l) If any party shall agree with the agency upon the price to be paid for the value of the

18

real property so taken and of appurtenant damage to any remainder or for the value of his or her

19

estate, right, or interest therein, the court, upon application of the parties in interest, may order

20

that the sum agreed upon be paid forthwith from the money deposited, as the just compensation to

21

be awarded in the proceedings.

22

     (m) Any owner of, or person entitled to any estate or right in, or interested in any part of,

23

the real property taken, who cannot agree with the agency upon the price to be paid for his or her

24

estate, right, or interest in the real property taken and the appurtenant damage to the remainder,

25

may, within three (3) months after personal notice of the taking, or if he or she has no personal

26

notice, may, within one year from the time the sum of money estimated to be just compensation is

27

deposited in the superior court to the use of the persons entitled to the compensation, apply by

28

petition to the superior court for the county in which the real property is situated, setting forth the

29

taking of his or her land or his or her estate or interest in these and praying for an assessment of

30

damages by the court or by a jury. Upon the filing of the petition, the court shall cause twenty

31

(20) days' notice of the filing of the petition to be given to the agency by serving the chairperson

32

or vice chairperson of the agency with a certified copy of the notice.

33

     (n) After the service of notice, the court may proceed to the trial thereof. The trial shall be

34

conducted as other civil actions at law are tried. The trial shall determine all questions of fact

 

LC002103 - Page 17 of 21

1

relating to the value of the real property, and any estate or interest, and the amount of this value

2

and the appurtenant damage to any remainder and the amount of this damage, and the trial and

3

decision or verdict of the court or jury shall be subject to all rights to except to rulings, to move

4

for new trial, and to appeal, as are provided by law. Upon the entry of judgment in those

5

proceedings, execution shall be issued against the money deposited in court and in default against

6

any other property of the agency. Pre-judgment interest and post-judgment interest,

7

notwithstanding § 9-21-10, shall be computed in accordance with either the methodology set forth

8

in § 37-6-23 or § 9-21-10, whichever produces the lower interest cost. The interest shall be paid

9

by the agency out of any funds appropriated and available therefor.

10

     (o) In case two (2) or more petitioners make claim to the same real property, or to any

11

estate or interest, or to different estate or interests in the same real property, the court shall, upon

12

motion, consolidate their several petitions for trial at the same time, and may frame all necessary

13

issues for the trial.

14

     (p) If any real property or any estate or interest, in which any minor or other person not

15

capable in law to act in his or her own behalf is interested, is taken under the provisions of this

16

chapter, the superior court, upon the filing of a petition by or in behalf of the minor or person or

17

by the agency, may appoint a guardian ad litem for the minor or other person. Guardians may,

18

with the advice and consent of the superior court, and upon any terms as the superior court may

19

prescribe, release to the agency all claims for damages for the land of the minor or other person or

20

for any estate or interest. Any lawfully appointed, qualified, and acting guardian or other

21

fiduciary of the estate of any minor or other person, with the approval of the court of probate

22

within this state having jurisdiction to authorize the sale of lands and properties within this state

23

of the minor or other person, may before the filing of any petition, agree with the minor or other

24

person for any taking of his or her real property or of his or her interest or estate, and may, upon

25

receiving the amount, release to the agency all claims for damages for the minor or other person

26

for the taking.

27

     (q) In case any owner of, or any person having an estate or interest in, the real property

28

fails to file his or her petition, the superior court for the county in which the real property is

29

situated, in its discretion, may permit the filing of the petition within one year subsequent to the

30

year following the time of the deposit in the superior court of the sum of money estimated to be

31

just compensation for the property taken; provided, the person shall have had no actual

32

knowledge of the taking of the land in season to file the petition; and provided, no other person or

33

persons claiming to own the real property or estate or interest shall have been paid the value; and

34

provided, no judgment has been rendered against the agency for the payment of the value to any

 

LC002103 - Page 18 of 21

1

other person or persons claiming to own the real estate.

2

     (r) If any real property or any estate or interest is unclaimed or held by a person or

3

persons whose whereabouts are unknown, after making inquiry satisfactory to the superior court

4

for the county in which the real property lies, the agency, after the expiration of two (2) years

5

from the first publication of the copy of the vote, statement, description, and plat, may petition the

6

court that the value of the estate or interest of the unknown person or persons be determined.

7

After the notice by publication to any person or persons that the court in its discretion may order,

8

and after a hearing on the petition, the court shall fix the value of the estate or interest and shall

9

order the sum to be deposited in the registry of the court in a special account to accumulate for

10

the benefit of the person or persons, if any, entitled to it. The receipt of the clerk of the superior

11

court shall constitute a discharge of the agency from all liability in connection with the taking.

12

When the person entitled to the money deposited shall have satisfied the superior court of his or

13

her right to receive that money, the court shall cause it to be paid over to him or her, with all

14

accumulations thereon.

15

     (s) The superior court shall have power to make any orders with respect to encumbrances,

16

liens, taxes, and other charges on the land, if any, as shall be just and equitable.

17

     (t) Whenever, in the opinion of the agency, a substantial saving in the cost of acquiring

18

title can be effected by conveying other real property, title to which is in the agency, to the person

19

or persons from whom the estate or interest in real property is being purchased or taken, or by the

20

construction or improvement by the agency of any work or facility upon the remaining real

21

property of the person or persons from whom the estate or interest in real property is being

22

purchased or taken, the agency shall be and hereby is authorized to convey that other real

23

property to the person or persons from whom the estate or interest in real property is being

24

purchased or taken and to construct or improve any work or facility upon the remaining land of

25

the person or persons.

26

     (u) At any time during the pendency of any proceedings for the assessment of damages

27

for property or interests taken or to be taken by eminent domain by the agency, or in any appeal

28

of any order entered in any such proceeding, the agency or any owner may apply to the court for

29

an order directing an owner or the agency, as the case may be, to show cause why further

30

proceedings should not be expedited, and the court may upon that application make an order

31

requiring that the hearings proceed and that any other steps be taken with all possible expedition.

32

     (v) In the event that an owner of, or a person entitled to any estate or right in, or

33

interested in any part of, the real property taken (a "petitioning party") files a petition with the

34

court challenging the amount that the agency had estimated to be just compensation for the

 

LC002103 - Page 19 of 21

1

property taken (the "estimated value"), and the final judgment of the court, exclusive of

2

prejudgment interest, is an amount equal to or less than the estimated value, the petitioning party

3

shall be required to pay the reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses incurred by the agency, and

4

the reasonable expert witness fees and expenses incurred by the agency, in defending the

5

estimated value.

6

     (w) Chapter 64.12 of title 42 shall not apply to property taken by eminent domain

7

pursuant to § 45-32-24.1 and § 45-32-24.2.

8

     SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC002103

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LC002103 - Page 20 of 21

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- REDEVELOPMENT AGENCIES AND PROJECTS

***

1

     The act would authorize state and local incremental tax revenues generated in the arts

2

district, the growth center district and the ballpark district in the city of Pawtucket to be allocated

3

to finance improvements in the districts.

4

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC002103

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LC002103 - Page 21 of 21