Contractors call construction slowing at Tidewater Landing ‘rare’ for major projects

PAWTUCEKT, R.I. (WLNE) — As construction slows down on Tidewater Landing, the future home of Rhode Island FC, union workers called the demobilization “rare” at this stage.

“In analyzing the work completed at the site to this stage and the amount of private funding already allocated to construction, this is an appropriate time to demobilize certain components of the construction while others continue,” said Mike Raia, a spokesperson for Fortuitous — the development group for the project.

Mike Holmes, a representative of the Carpenter’s Union Local 330, said their workers have been laying the foundation for the project since February.

“You demobilize in a situation like this simply because it is going to cost money to keep personnel there,” said Holmes. “It’s only fair that everybody gets paid at the end of the day to help build this stadium that Rhode Island has been promised.”

Holmes said carpenters are being moved to other projects.

He added, “We’re still ready to pounce. We will finish this project.”

State funding for the project was pulled in March. Gov. Dan McKee learned about the demobilization Thursday afternoon.

“I’m not concerned,” said McKee. “The taxpayer money that is going in won’t go in until it’s completed.”

Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien assured Rhode Islanders in a statement Thursday that “progress has been remarkable, especially given the economic headwinds of the last couple of years.”

Rhode Island FC will be hosted at Bryant University for the 2024 season.