The Portland city council received an extended set of pleas Wednesday to move forward on an arena renovation deal with the Trail Blazers for the Moda Center, but substantive changes to potential deal points are certain to happen over the next week.
The legislative body heard several hours of public comment Wednesday in favor of the city participating in a $600 million renovation deal for the 31-year-old downtown arena. Comments arrived from local residents, many wearing Blazers gear, representing a variety of local sectors, including labor, grassroots politics, travel and tourism, business, and even other pro sports beyond the NBA.
“A vote to fund the renovation of the Moda Center will send a message, loud and clear, that Portland is the epicenter of women’s sports,” said Clare Hamill, president of the WNBA’s Portland Fire. The RAJ Sports–owned club, which also controls the NWSL’s Portland Thorns, is not a party to the arena negotiations but plays at the arena and is strongly advocating the proposed upgrades.
Added Multnomah County chair Jessica Vega Pederson, speaking before city counterparts, “Despite legitimate concerns, and a frustrating negotiating process with the Blazers, this is a deal we must get done. And it must be a deal that benefits our entire community.”
