A group of mayors from the Portland metropolitan area is publicly advocating for Portland city leaders to finalize an agreement for the renovation of the Moda Center. The consortium argues that the outcome of these negotiations will have a significant impact on communities throughout the region. In a letter dated July 15, addressed to Governor Tina Kotek, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, and Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson, the Metropolitan Mayors’ Consortium highlighted that the arena serves a broader purpose than just being Portland‘s home court.
The consortium, which represents 24 cities in the Portland metropolitan area, emphasized that the Moda Center benefits residents across the region and generates economic activity beyond Portland‘s boundaries. The letter noted that while teams like the Trail Blazers and Fire wear “Portland” on their jerseys, they are considered home teams for the entire region. It pointed out that the Trail Blazers train in Tualatin and the Fire train in Hillsboro, with players and staff residing in various surrounding communities such as West Linn, Wilsonville, and Lake Oswego.
Negotiations and Funding
The letter from the mayors comes at a crucial point in the ongoing negotiations. On July 16, Portland issued its initial draft term sheet to the Trail Blazers ownership, initiating a new phase of discussions regarding a long-term lease and the public funding package for the arena’s renovation. The City Council is anticipated to vote on this term sheet by August 12.
The Oregon Legislature has already allocated $365 million towards the project, and Multnomah County has committed an additional $100 million. Portland‘s proposed contribution of approximately $120 million is still under negotiation. City leaders are working to secure additional taxpayer protections, finalize lease terms, and address other provisions within the proposed agreement.
The mayors assert that the arena is a regional asset that supports jobs, tourism, and businesses across the metropolitan area. They cited spending at hotels, restaurants, and other establishments before and after games and events, underscoring the facility’s role in bolstering the region’s shared economy and workforce.
The consortium’s letter also follows recent comments from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who stated earlier in July that negotiations for the Moda Center renovation had “gone off track.” This has intensified pressure on local leaders to reach an agreement before key state funding deadlines.
Instead of urging a swift approval of the proposal, the consortium encouraged officials to continue negotiating while acknowledging the substantial regional investment already made. The letter urged those involved in funding decisions to “continue to ask hard questions and negotiate professionally while acknowledging the deep mark your decisions will make on your neighbors, as well as the overwhelming commitment already made by the surrounding region.”
Challenges and Perspectives
The Trail Blazers and the city of Portland appear to have growing differences regarding the lease agreement. A team source indicated that the two parties are “very far apart.” The city’s term sheet for a 20-year lease agreement, sent on Friday, proposes $600 million in public funds for the Moda Center renovation. However, it also requests the Trail Blazers to pay $3 million annually for a property tax offset, which would increase over time. The deal also mandates the hiring of union workers and includes caps on project-cost overruns.
A team source described the term sheet as a “non-starter,” questioning why it was sent given the known disagreements. The Trail Blazers‘ board of directors is scheduled to meet to discuss the term sheet and determine a course of action. The city is set to vote on the funding on August 12, with a deal needing to be finalized by December 31 for the $365 million in state funding to be secured.
The future of the Trail Blazers in Portland is a point of concern, as their current lease concludes in 2030. While some speculation exists about new owner Tom Dundon potentially relocating the team, two high-ranking sources within the Trail Blazers stated that Dundon has never mentioned such a move. One team source affirmed, “No one with the Blazers has ever said we want to move. We don’t want that. We want to stay in Portland.”
Both the Trail Blazers and city politicians have accused each other of misconduct. Some city council members are reportedly upset, feeling that the Trail Blazers have not been transparent about how public funds would be utilized. Councilor Mitch Green commented that the Trail Blazers may have assumed the deal was complete after securing state funding, but council members are now asking more rigorous questions, emphasizing Portland‘s demand for greater public transparency.
The Trail Blazers‘ reluctance to share renovation plans is attributed to two main reasons: many plans are still in the conceptual stage, and they were reportedly offended by a threat of legal action from councilor Steve Novick in June for not maintaining the Moda Center as a first-class venue. A Trail Blazers source indicated that they are hesitant to respond to the term sheet until the threat of a lawsuit is removed.
Renovation concepts for the Moda Center include a new atrium entrance on the north side to improve traffic flow, additional kitchens on all three levels to enhance concession experiences, and potential modifications to the 300-level seating, including a new bar and updated club-level seating. Councilor Green stressed the need for a clear scope and scale of what the public money would fund, stating that the City Council is not a “rubber-stamp council.”
In March, the Trail Blazers believed they had an agreement with the city after securing the $365 million state commitment. This sum is contingent on Portland contributing $120 million and Multnomah County adding $88 million. Trail Blazers sources expressed confusion over the shift in negotiations, believing a handshake agreement was made in March with Mayor Keith Wilson, the city, and the county. Elliott Kozuch, a spokesman for the city administrator, confirmed that while there was momentum towards an agreement in March, it was always understood that formal approval from the City Council and County Commission would be required.
Kozuch noted that the city has reviewed some of the Trail Blazers‘ online plans but requires more detailed information. “The Trail Blazers shared high-level concepts for potential upgrades to the arena, but the city has not received a formal design review or detailed project plan. A complete understanding of proposed improvements will require additional information as negotiations continue.”
The direction of future negotiations remains uncertain, with both sides currently holding firm. A Trail Blazers source mentioned that the team has been examining other recent arena deals in Oklahoma City and Utah, and may seek a new deal in Portland, potentially even for a new arena. Councilor Green stated that the threat of Dundon leaving Portland does not sway him, suggesting that Dundon‘s decisions are based on increasing profit. The Metropolitan Mayors’ Consortium includes leaders from Beaverton, Hillsboro, Gresham, Lake Oswego, Tualatin, Tigard, West Linn, Wilsonville, and Portland, among other communities.
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Source: katu.com
