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Portland ballpark vote delayed as mayor adjusts site, financial plans

As Mayor Sam Adams adjusts the funding and site plan in the Rose District, a vote on a new Portland Beavers ballpark will be delayed at least a week.
As Mayor Sam Adams adjusts the funding and site plan in the Rose District, a vote on a new Portland Beavers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) ballpark will be delayed at least a week.

There are two issues. First, Memorial Coliseum preservationists seem to have won the battle to save the almost-50-year-old arena, as Adams announced the site plan for an entertainment district next to the Rose Garden would now include a renovation of the facility. But that may not leave enough land for a new Bevos ballpark.

In addition, Adams is proposing funding for the project come from a nearby development district set up to renovate older houses in the area. Since that urban-renewal district has not performed as well as neighborhood advocates want, the proposal is controversial and may not have the support of the City Council.

The overall proposal calls for a new $280-million entertainment district next to the Rose Garden, to be funded mostly by the city with the involvement of Cordish Co. Under the initial plan, Memorial Coliseum would be torn down to make way for the ballpark — an option still on the table.

RELATED STORIES: New Beavers ballpark wouldn’t happen until 2012 — at the earliest; Cost of Portland redevelopment mushrooms to almost $300 million; Crunching the numbers on a new Bevos ballpark; Portland proposes tearing down Memorial Coliseum for new Bevos ballpark; Portland City Council votes to move ahead with new Bevos ballpark — but takes $15 million from the equation; Paulson agrees to Portland’s financial demands; still may not be enough; Bevos ballpark plan runs into serious financial obstacles; Portland task force gives preliminary approval to new Bevos ballpark — with plenty of conditions; Portland ballpark discussion shifts to Rose Quarter; Decision on new Bevos ballpark location delayed; Will new ballpark fly in Lents?

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