Part of the larger $344-million Tidewater Landing mixed-use complex, the 10,500-seat stadium for the Rhode Island FC soccer franchise paused for six weeks when Pawtucket officials delayed funding due to inflation and financial uncertainty. But the developer raised “tens of millions in private investment to complete the financing” before the project restarted in August 2023, Kroeber says.

The stadium is designed as the anchor of Tidewater Landing, a larger mixed-use development with retail, dining and other facilities.
Rendering courtesy Odell, a La Bella Co.

Based on agreements with the city and state, Fortuitous already had $43 million in equity investment in the 75-yd-wide by 120-yd-long stadium prior to sourcing any private or public funding, he adds.

The project also faced several construction challenges. Building the mixed-use development on a brownfield brought complexity for foundations and underground utility work. The drainage liner that capped the contaminated soil set a lower limit on the underground utility work, says Greg Manzolillo, a project manager for general contractor Dimeo Construction Co.

“All of the underground utilities within the stadium footprint had to be above the liner, below the slabs and between the foundation walls of various portions of the [structure],” he says.

There are also limits to the number and proximity of box-outs that can be placed in the foundation walls for running utilities into the buildings. “Plumbing has pitch and frost depth restrictions,” Manzolillo says, adding that “electrical needs to be 24 in. below the slab minimum, and there is a limit on the number of bends in the conduits—there were serious constraints.”

A separate $1.4-million contract was also awarded in August to Lincoln, R.I.-based civil engineering firm Beta Group Inc. to design a pedestrian bridge that will connect Tidewater Landing to residential, commercial and office space on the eastern side of the river. Construction is expected to finish this spring in time for the 2025 soccer season.

“All systems are go, and we are hoping all the twists and turns are over,” says Kroeber. “As you walk through the buildings, the smell of fresh paint is evident as finishes within the spaces are quickly being installed.”

The project team conducted soil densification using vibratory compaction methods.
Photo courtesy Fortuitous Partners

Electric Operation

Set to be one of the most sustainable U.S. stadiums, the project is the nation’s third all-electric sports venue after Climate Pledge Arena, which opened in Seattle in 2021, and Intuit Dome, which opened in 2024.

Kroeber notes sustainability features that include brownfield site remediation and redevelopment, stormwater management and electric power operation with no fossil fuels. He also notes its onsite electric vehicle charging, low-water use plumbing and outdoor sports lighting fixtures that minimize light spill and glare. The lighting system has been approved by U.S.-based third-party nonprofit DarkSky International.

The project’s mechanical and electrical systems were designed to exceed Rhode Island base energy standards by using power and water efficient fixtures, including heat pumps, Kroeber says.

The project did not target LEED or Well certifications but includes other sustainability measures, such as installing mechanical systems with efficiency below energy code requirements, all LED lighting and automatic lighting controls to limit the use of artificial lighting when not needed.

To mitigate schedule delays due to supply chain disruptions, the development team managed early procurement of long lead electrical items such as the generator and switchgear components, steel and other material, Kroeber says.

Roofing did not present any supply chain challenges, and “electrical and HVAC were all procured on site,” he adds.

“The team paid to have a [Cummins] generator ready to ship to the site,” Kroeber says. Two generator switchgear components, which allow for power distribution to the stadium, cost nearly $1 million in total, he adds. “Both were delivered and installed and will have the power turned on in coming weeks.”

Crew leaders study concrete reinforcement shop drawings prior to installation.
Photo by Josh Edenbaum

Underground Stormwater Treatment

Installation of a separate stormwater treatment system at the stadium, costing about $1 million, was managed by U.K.-based SLR Consulting with support from civil engineer DiPrete Engineering, Cranston, R.I. Work began in 2021 and now is complete as part of a larger Narragansett Bay Commission plan to tackle stormwater problems around the state, Kroeber says.

The system “includes a series of sand filters beneath the field, parking lot and plazas,” he says. Stormwater is also treated through water quality units, including a water filtration system that uses a series of filter cartridges to remove a wide variety of high level stormwater pollutants. Contech Engineered Solutions provided a stormwater system, that includes high-flow pretreatment and membrane filtration and employs a small stand-alone system to remove trash, oil, debris, fine silt-sized particles and a high percentage of particulate matter, according to the company website. The system design “also includes porous asphalt paving along the edges of parking lots and the riverwalk to help promote infiltration and filtration of stormwater before it is discharged to the Seekonk River,” Kroeber explains.

Workers directed the final beam into place at the steel topping off milestone in mid-June.
Image Courtesy of Rhode Island FC

Sticker Shock

The project cost has escalated since 2022 when Pawtucket officials estimated it at $59 million, with bonds to be repaid in 20 years. The current $132-million cost revealed earlier this year is based on a 30-year repayment plan. The Rhode Island Commerce Corp. has approved $14 million in tax credits, and Pawtucket provided $10 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds to support stadium construction, says Grace Voll, spokesperson for the city.

Despite the rising price, Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien and Rhode Island Gov. Daniel McKee support the city’s largest ever economic development effort. Grebien says the steel topping off milestone last June “marked a significant step forward.” Hartford, Conn.-based Shepard Steel Co. provided about 1,000 tons of steel for the project, Manzolillo says. State dollars won’t “be invested in this project until the stadium is complete, and any increases in construction costs will be borne by the private developer,” Voll says.

The stadium includes 12 loge box areas of private seating in its corners.
Image Courtesy of Rhode Island FC

Aiming to Finish

Stadium work was on schedule at the end of 2024, with project officials pegging official completion to May 3. But there is no finish date estimate for the Tidewater Landing project. “It is Too soon to provide that answer,” Kroeber says. “We are working on design and permitting.”

For the stadium, base preparation, site utlities and synthetic turf installation are finished, with seating mostly complete. Its southern building is fully enclosed with exterior facade work done as interior finishes continue. Mechanical, electric and plumbing rough-ins, drywall, painting, ceiling installation, flooring and millwork are in various stages of completion.

“The southern building is on track for partial opening as early as March 1, when the Rhode Island FC team spaces will be complete and operational,” Kroeber says. “We’re looking forward to spring when we welcome 10,000 visitors to a home opener.”