Latest news with #PortlandDiamondProject
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Portland Diamond Project swings for fence in Salem
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The road to bringing Major League Baseball to Portland goes through Oregon's Senate Finance and Revenue Committee on Monday as supporters step up to the plate to fund construction with a bid competitive with other cities. The pitch is not a curveball. The along with city leaders will throw their weight behind , which would to $800 million. The bill, if passed, and team employees instead of taxing Oregonians. Back in 2003, , which laid out $150 million in bonds if Portland was awarded an MLB team. But the bonds had to be paid back within 30 years — the Earlier in March, Portland Diamond Project founder Craig Cheek, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson and Metro Chamber President Andrew Hoan made a similar pitch to a House committee. 'We believe the state's support is critical for this project's success. We asked legislators to revisit SB5, originally passed in 2003, and update the law to better reflect the current revenue generated by players salaries and the rising costs to build a world-class stadium in downtown Portland,' 'This would not be a new tax on Oregonians. We look forward to working with the legislature to make Oregon better with baseball.' Last week, Cheek said this is an opportunity that may not come around again for decades since Major League Baseball is currently trying to add two new teams. 'We know Major League Baseball is eyeing up an expansion plan in the very near future,' Cheek said. Getting the amendment added to Senate Bill 110 is one of 'the steps that are necessary to put very serious dollars on the table to attract a team to downtown Portland, Oregon. All I can say is that this will be transformative for our city, for our region, for our state, for our community.' Cheek, Wilson, Hoan and local economist Mike Wilkerson are expected to testify to the Senate committee on Monday. The hearing begins at 8 a.m. In early March, the Portland Diamond Project released renderings of a proposed ballpark at the current site of Zidell Yards on the South Waterfront in direct proximity to the Willamette River. Portland is considered a strong contender for an MLB team. Other strong contenders include Salt Lake City, Nashville and Montreal. KOIN 6 News will continue to follow this story and have more information later in the day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Portland Diamond Project releases South Waterfront renderings
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Five months after the City of Portland voted to put its support behind bringing a Major League Baseball team to town, leader are taking their vision of a new stadium along the South Waterfront to state leaders in Salem. This version of the stadium places the ballpark at the current site of Zidell Yards. Renderings released Monday showcase the stadium's proximity to the Willamette River. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson was among those in Salem on Monday. The Portland Diamond Project's goal is to revisit a bill passed by the Oregon senate in 2003. They want it updated to better reflect revenue generated by players' salaries. Andrew Hoan with the Portland Metro Chamber told the committee a new stadium 'would ignite a boom in Oregon's living room … that will be felt for many years to come and in fact generations. It's time to think about going on a completely different course. This is not small ball. This ia a big league swing for the fences and I think it's time to take that hit.' In a statement, Portland Diamond Project President Craig Cheek thanked the House Committee on Economic Development, Small Business and Trade for hearing their pitch. 'We believe the state's support is critical for this project's success. We asked legislators to revisit SB5, originally passed in 2003, and update the law to better reflect the current revenue generated by players salaries and the rising costs to build a world-class stadium in downtown Portland,' Cheek said. 'This would not be a new tax on Oregonians. We look forward to working with the legislature to make Oregon Better with Baseball.' The costs of a Major League Baseball team in Portland is estimated to be at least $150 million — not including the stadium. Officials hope to begin building the ballpark in 2027. The Portland Diamond Project is expected to hold a press conference soon to talk about the plan's details. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
