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   GTECH Holdings Corporation reached a tentative tax deal for the new headquarters it plans to build in downtown Providence. The lottery systems giant initially will pay the city $1 million dollars a year on its headquarters.
   Under the agreement, which is being  presented to the City Council late Thursday afternoon, GTECH's annual payments to the city will increase every five years for the duration of the 20-year
deal.
   In return for the tax deal, GTECH will give Providence residents preference in hiring for new positions at the company. The company will also give preference to Providence businesses
for construction materials and other goods and services GTECH will buy after its new facility opens.
   Additionally, GTECH is planning to open a call center on the city's south side. It will employ 65 people, and a third of the positions will be reserved for workers fluent in English and
Spanish.
  Also, GTECH will create 30 computer centers around the city for after-school programs.
The city council has to approve the deal before GTECH can start building the $65 million facility. City council members who worked on the deal said they expect the full council will approve it.
   GTECH officials said they hope to begin construction early next year and complete it by 2006. Which will be built on an empty lot across from Providence Place Mall, adjacent to Waterplace Park.