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MLS to Portland Thread

VikThunder said:
Pounder said:
...and Don Garber is advising St. Louis that they need to find a big money guy in order to continue with their bid.

Garber isn't going to toss St. Louis because suburban Collinsville IL has a funded stadium plan. However, no better owner and it may not happen for them.

If that remains the case, it's really Portland, Miami, and Vancouver for two slots.

THAT BEING SAID... please mark Tuesday on your calendars. The next task force meeting is at 4 pm. Your attendance is encouraged, and please wear green for the good folks.
Click to expand...

I can't see the MLS adding Miami. They've already tried Miami and failed. That leaves Portland and Vancouver. That is a dream come true! We'll have the Cascadia Cup intact.

And for PSU, this works out well. The stadium will be reconfigured and be much better for football.
Click to expand...

I'm not getting ahead of myself on this one. The only things that make me optimistic are the fact that the Paulsons have the money to operate the team (a huge plus for Portland over St. Louis) and the fact that this task force is only making a recommendation to the city council, which already has two (Adams and Leonard) of a necessary three votes. I do believe that if the council comes up with the money, Portland will get a team. The task force's recommendation would serve as political cover for Fish or Saltzman if they choose to support the plan.
 
City speeds up soccer study
Leonard wants recommendation by end of February


http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=123351583517528500
 
forestgreen said:
City speeds up soccer study
Leonard wants recommendation by end of February


http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=123351583517528500
Click to expand...

This is good news. The issues surrounding the AAA Beavers are the biggest things slowing down this process. Kudos to Randy for working behind the scenes to get PSU a better football facility.
 
The task force meeting last night was the most positive to date.

The city's hired gun outlined negotiation strategy with Merritt Paulson's Shortstop LLC.

The group's financial committee came in with low and high estimates on bond performance, ranging from a $2 million shortage to a $4 million surplus. Late in the day, Shortstop's Don Mazziotti revealed that cost adjustments (due to plunging steel, concrete, and other material prices) have reduced the estimate for PGE Park renovation from $40 million to $35-37 million. Mazziotti also mentioned their contacts with contractors will likely result in a fixed price contract that could be completed before stimulus activities raise the prices back up.

Along with the PGE Park estimate, two ballpark estimates were provided: $43-44 million at Lents, $4 million more at Memorial Coliseum ($3.5 million for "deconstruction" of MC). Lents has $25 million in urban renewal district bonding authority, while MC has very little (the Convention Center Hotel project has NOT been scrapped). However, Randy Leonard let slip that there was excitement about the MC site, and the probability of private funds being included in the MC package was raised.

A renovated stadium should seat 23,000, the lockers should be upgraded, suites shall be installed on the west and east sides, Providence Hospital has shown interest in establishing a sports health clinic within the grounds (kind of like Boise State and a local concern), a restaurant overlooking the north end, and east side stands shall not encroach on the current right of way on SW 18th.
 
Portland now looking at Rose Quarter for new baseball stadium

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2009/02/portland_now_looking_at_rose_q.html
 
MLS debate remains a matter of money, and more
Blazers ready to unveil new vision for Rose Quarter

http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=123483235630044100
 
Portland sets goals for Major League Soccer deal

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/02/portland_sets_goals_for_major.html
 
TONIGHT-

Task force has a normal 4 pm meeting, mostly wrapping up presentations and discussing baseball a little more. That lasts 90 minutes.

THEN, at 6 pm, public comment for 90 minutes. Two minutes max per speaker, the sign-up sheet(s) is brought to Room C at the Portland Building (2nd floor) at 3:30 pm.

ALSO, SATURDAY, there's a rally for the proposal. Please marshal to Salmon Street Springs at 1:30, march at 2 from there to City Hall. Bring the kids and dogs, too!
 
Major League Soccer goes to Salem: Team owner lobbies for deal on PGE Park renovations

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2009/02/major_league_soccer_goes_to_sa.html



Soccer task force takes its shot at goal
Proposal is still $20 million to $40 million short of its budget

http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=123544788073513100
 
I keep hearing Timbers Army folks claiming that Paulson has agreed to guarantee the bonds, but I have yet to see any evidence of this in print or online media. Has this been covered anywhere? If this is true, it would obviously be huge news.
 
Miami was eliminated/dropped out today, so Portland officially has a 50% chance of receiving an MLS team in this round of expansion. The remaining cities are Portland, Vancouver, St. Louis, and Ottawa, and I think you'd have to consider Portland the favorite at this point. A 50% chance of PSU getting a vastly upgraded football stadium in the next four years - how do you like that?
 
ManOfVision said:
Miami was eliminated/dropped out today, so Portland officially has a 50% chance of receiving an MLS team in this round of expansion. The remaining cities are Portland, Vancouver, St. Louis, and Ottawa, and I think you'd have to consider Portland the favorite at this point. A 50% chance of PSU getting a vastly upgraded football stadium in the next four years - how do you like that?
Click to expand...

If you want to play on an upper level you have to set up the stage, I'm hoping this all goes through.
 
Portland's chances for MLS status improve

http://www.oregonlive.com/timbers/index.ssf/2009/03/portlands_chances_for_mls_stat.html


Soccer task force says: Play ball! (as long as city is protected)

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2009/03/soccer_task_force_says_play_ba.html


Panel urges city to bring in Major League Soccer
Advisory committee tags recommendations with conditions to protect taxpayers

http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=123614008795791300
 
Stadium costs trip up Major League Soccer team

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2009/03/major_league_soccer_talks_brea.html
 
MLS team in Portland benefits Vikings
Portland State football would reap the benefits of a renovated PGE Park


http://www.dailyvanguard.com/mls_team_in_portland_benefits_vikings-1.1606912
 
There will be a press conference with MLS Commissioner Don Garber at the Portland Hilton Friday at 9:30 am.

Conditional party time, probably.
 
Pounder said:
There will be a press conference with MLS Commissioner Don Garber at the Portland Hilton Friday at 9:30 am.

Conditional party time, probably.
Click to expand...

I'm so happy about this, I think I'll have to join the Timbers Army. I don't know if there's a secret handshake, but I know "f@ck shittle." :D
 
Sources: MLS bringing soccer team to Portland

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/03/sources_mls_bringing_soccer_te.html


Soccer franchise announcement could come Friday
Portland may be in line for a Major League Soccer team that might start play in 2011

http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=123740485457571700
 
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