Portland Beavers owner Merritt Paulson pulls the plug on a new Bevos ballpark in Beaverton. Bummer.
Portland Beavers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) owner Merritt Paulson has canceled planning for a new Bevos ballpark in suburban Beaverton, saying it would be impossible to get the ball rolling on a new facility in time for the 2011 season, a tight deadline we noted in our last coverage of the negotiations.
(Click on the Download Attachment link at the bottom of this page to read the letter.)
The hurdles for a new ballpark were rather substantial: Paulson was insisting on a new ballpark in time for the 2011 season, but there was no funding plan in place and no site located. In addition, some city councilmembers were insisting any funding plan would need to be approved by voters.
Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle didn't sound too heartbroken about the loss, if this press release is any indication:
“I have always believed in this concept, but it is clear that we simply will not be able to meet the schedule provided. This dialogue has sparked a renewed love for the heart of Beaverton. Merritt Paulson is not alone in his enthusiasm for our community and, over the past few weeks, I’ve met with numerous developers and property owners to discuss their interest in downtown Beaverton. I believe that we’re poised to take the next steps in the effort to create a healthy, sustainable long-term economic base for our city.”
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