June 12, 2009
Portland study: New ballpark site blows
Another city-backed study of the proposed Portland Beavers minor-league baseball stadium is out, and it looks just as promising as the last one: A stadium in Lents Park, according to consultants HVS International, would have lower attendance and revenue and provide less visitor spending in the immediate neighborhood than the previously considered downtown site, thanks to being way out in the boonies and surrounded by a residential neighborhood. City Commissioner Dan Saltzman, who has opposed the downtown site and holds the swing vote on approving the baseball stadium — which is being sought by Beavers owner Merritt Paulson so their current stadium can be converted for his expansion Timbers soccer franchise — told The Oregonian that he planned to make the report "my weekend reading."
I'm shocked. The Beavers draw just alright with a ballpark in the middle of downtown. You mean they won't draw near as well moving 10 miles out of downtown?
Commissioner Amanda Fritz wrote a very critical letter of the project to her fellow Commissioners criticizing the cost, the backroom dealing by Paulson, and the use of taxpayer (and General Fund) money for private enterprise. Good read.
Posted by Jimmy P on June 12, 2009 04:38 PM