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March 12, 2009
Portland okays MLS deal, cuts renewal funds
The Portland city council voted 3-2 yesterday to approve Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson's plan for an $88.8 million MLS soccer and minor-league baseball complex, but with one condition: Commissioner Dan Saltzman insisted on eliminating $15 million in urban-renewal money that was to be used for the sports project, leaving it with a major funding hole. The Portland Business Journal notes, "It's unclear how the city will fund the $15 million shortfall, should Major League Soccer award Portland one of two expansion it will award next week."
Or maybe not next week, as MLS commissioner Don Gerber said yesterday that a decision on expansion could be delayed until later in the month. As for what role, if any, the $15 million funding hole will play in that decision, that's unclear, too.
Perhaps the "Timbers Army" can raise the $15M by selling those fun scarves.
Posted by Thomas on March 12, 2009 11:48 AM
The other interesting side note of yesterdays marathon City Council meeting was the opposition by the Trail Blazers. It seems the NBA is none too pleased at the prospect of redevelopment in the Rose Quarter benefiting someone else:
J.E. Isaac was allowed to sit next to some of the scarf-clad, and presumably jobless, soccer fans in order to get his 3 minutes of speaking time in front of the Council.
"Our concern is about enough money to create our vision. Our concern is about enough property to create our vision. Arenas and stadiums alone don't fuel business. If that was true, the Rose Garden would have done that."
Interesting the way that tune has changed from the time the NBA was looking for money for the Rose Garden.
Posted by Thomas on March 12, 2009 03:55 PM
"Presumably jobless," Thomas? You mean, like you?
Posted by Doubting Thomas on March 12, 2009 07:07 PM
Take it to adhominempersonalattacks.com, please.
Posted by Neil on March 13, 2009 12:02 AM