Posted Aug 11, 2026, 12:24 AM
|
|
Moderator
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Portland
Posts: 8,100
|
|
Quote:
5 things to know before Wednesday’s vote on Moda Center negotiations
Portland City Council’s approval of a term sheet is the last step in a key phase of a much longer-term effort to keep the Trail Blazers in town.
After months of back-and-forth, the ball’s in Portland’s court to start negotiations with the Trail Blazers over a long-term lease deal.
On Wednesday, city councilors are scheduled to cast their final vote on a term sheet laying out the city’s desired framework for negotiations with the Blazers. That document currently pledges a $120 million up-front commitment to pay for renovations to the Moda Center, the city-owned NBA arena, and $275 million for ongoing maintenance over a 20-year lease. It also asks for a few things from the Blazers in return for the public investment, like an annual $3 million payment, agreement to recognize unionized Moda workers, and other community benefits.
Councilors heard public feedback last week on the plan, and considered many proposed changes to the term sheet at an Aug. 6 meeting — all of which failed to pass. Half of the city council remains unimpressed with the current framework. And all seem frustrated with the way Blazers owner Tom Dundon has approached negotiations.
Council President Jamie Dunphy has blocked off all of Wednesday for councilors to focus on the final term sheet vote, a sign that the meeting might not go swiftly — or smoothly.
Here’s what you need to know ahead of the meeting.
|
...continues at OPB.
|
Threaded Mode