R.I. - Rhode Island voters are divided in their views on the proposed construction of a new stadium near downtown Providence designed to bring the New England Patriots to Rhode Island, according to a recent statewide survey. It was based on a statewide random sample of 406 registered voters in Rhode Island and had an overall margin of error of about plus or minus five percentage points. Voters in Rhode Island are almost evenly split in their feelings about the proposed downtown stadium. These numbers are more positive than public sentiment on the Providence Place mall early in that project. There are substantial differences in public preferences about the proposed stadium based on geography, sex, age and party identification.
Senior citizens are much less supportive of the stadium than young adults.
Fifty-seven percent say the new stadium would benefit the Rhode Island economy a lot or some. Sixty-six percent feel the proposal should be subject to approval by the General Assembly. Researchers asked people in the state which particular stadium aspects should be publicly financed through state revenue bonds. Almond's overall job performance is higher than in last June's survey. Newly appointed Lt. Gov. Bernard Jackvony remains unknown to many Rhode Island voters.