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PGE Park Possibility

PDXPompey said:
It was very dramatic. I thought it might be doomed when Fish voted no. The place really errupted when Dan voted yes. I bet the coaching staff is excited.

I hope so. I wonder when PSU will release something about the upgrades? My guess is they've been quiet because nothing is official yet, and this is all contingent on MLS granting Paulson a team. Maybe by the fall when the MLS has made up its mind and City Council has passed the official funding proposals, PSU can start trumpeting the good news.
 
Has anyone heard about or seen this alleged letter from the PSU football staff before? I recommend you go to the link for the full story and for the comments below the article (I only posted the letter).

Portland State wants to go big. Very big.

http://www.billingsgazette.net/h/blogs/catgriz/?p=2220

Tuesday, March 10 2009

To Portland City Council,

On behalf of the Portland State University Football Staff we would like to express our excitement regarding the upcoming discussions surrounding the renovation of PGE Park. PGE Park, previously named Civic Stadium, and before that Multnomah Stadium has been our home stadium for the past 41 years. To our alumni, season ticket holders, and the 26,000 students at Portland State University PGE Park is our home, and we are very proud to call it our home.

We intend to make it clear that we fully support bringing Major League Soccer to the City of Portland and support the renovation of PGE Park to accommodate a new MLS team. It is our opinion that the prospective expansion of PGE Park would greatly benefit both the University and our Football program. The City of Portland, we think, has both the market capacity and the hunger from its football fans to support a NCAA Division 1 BCS football team. This move would represent a step into the highest classification of NCAA athletics which is the overall goal of our football program and our athletic department. Currently one of the major limiting factors in making this jump is the seating capacity of PGE Park. The renovation of PGE Park and the increased seating capacity would allow us the opportunity to reach the BCS level.

A Major League Soccer team coupled with an NCAA Division 1 Football team will seriously increase Portland’s reputation as a sports town, and give all of our fans an opportunity to experience their favorite pastimes at the highest level. On behalf of our staff, our student athletes and the many alumni and supporters who have expressed excitement in this decision thank-you for your time and the consideration of our thoughts.

Sincerely,

Portland State Football Staff
Jerry Glanville – Mouse Davis – Jim Craft – Jesse Thompson – Aleki Pascua – Kevin Strasser - Josh Fetter – Kevin Emberton – Robert April – Brandon Shelby
 
Yes, that letter was prepared at the last minute and delivered to the Timbers Army to be read at the MLS City Council hearing last week. I could be mistaken, but I don't think it was ever actually entered into the record. I believe it was prompted by contact from the Timbers Army members who thought PSU wasn't being vocal enough in their support for the PGE renovation. It was good to see the letter, but there wasn't really any news in it. I should add that this letter was hastily prepared, and so I wouldn't read too much into the BCS reference. The coaches are really talking about the WAC, and most of the folks involved with the City Council and Timbers Army aren't knowledgable enough to know the difference.
 
Pounder said:
Construction may well be staggered so that there won't be a need for playing elsewhere.

Plus, the scope of the work is much different than that of what was done last time.
 
martymoose said:
Pounder said:
Construction may well be staggered so that there won't be a need for playing elsewhere.

Plus, the scope of the work is much different than that of what was done last time.

Much different and PSU's schedule overlaps MLS.

Another consideration...the new Beavers baseball stadium will need to be built first before the Beavers are moved out of PGE Park. The remodel should be great for PSU. Better concourses, rest rooms and no more bench seating along the sidelines.
 
I'll be curious to see what they do with seating arrangements. I assume the visiting team's ticket block will be moved to the new uncovered side of the stadium. Will the student section be moved? It would be cool to have the students stretched along the opponent's sideline a la Oregon State. Of course, we might not have enough students at the games to make that work.
 

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