Trail Blazers Arena Deal: Bike Protesters Denounce Use of Taxpayer Money for Moda Center Upgrades

Dozens of people gathered on a glittering Saturday afternoon to denounce the use of taxpayer dollars to fund the renovation of the Moda Center, calling on local leaders to focus instead on keeping Portland schools open, preserving teachers’ jobs and resolving ongoing contract negotiations with a union representing nearly 1,000 city employees.

The event, held in the shadow of the Moda Center, was organized by Sunrise PDX, a climate action group. The Portland chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America also helped organize the rally, which ended with about 30 people riding bikes around the perimeter of the Moda Center.

A 35-year-old Portland resident, who identified himself only as Hasan A., called the potential deal for a renovated arena “such a bad deal for the people of Portland.”

“Look at this,” he said, pointing to the Moda Center. “It’s beautiful. There’s no problem. It’s one of the best stadiums in the NBA, but they still want to improve it so they can make more money off us.”

NBA insiders have stressed the need for a renovation of the venue. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said this month: “I think by any objective measure the current building now stands at the lowest measurement of any arena in the league. »

Discussions about the renovation are ongoing. The Blazers and local officials continue to negotiate to fund the nearly $600 million renovation and draft a new 20-year lease to keep the franchise in Portland.

The state has committed $365 million in bonds to the project and Multnomah County has pledged up to $101.6 million. In an 8-4 vote last month, the Portland City Council approved a $120 million term sheet, in addition to $275 million for maintenance over the next two decades.

The state’s commitment includes a December deadline and is contingent on the parties entering into a new lease agreement. But those who attended Saturday’s rally want local and state leaders to reconsider any deal.

Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon has been pushing for government funding for the massive project. Dundon, a Dallas billionaire, led a group of investors that purchased the team for $4.25 billion earlier this year.

“We are now on the verge of doing a multi-million deal with taxpayer money for a billionaire who can very easily afford to do this on his own,” Portland City Councilwoman Angelita Morillo said at the meeting.

She spoke in front of a large banner reading: “Fund the people, not the billionaires.” Councilors Mitch Green and Tiffany Koyama Lane also addressed the group. All three voted against the non-binding agreement on terms, as did Councilwoman Candace Avalos.

Organizers of Saturday’s rally said the city should demand a better deal.

“We are here today because the city of Portland believes that giving hundreds of millions of dollars to a billionaire is more important than our climate, more important than our future, more important than our schools and more important than our commute and they are wrong,” said Franklin High School student and Sunrise PDX organizer Cor Dudley Borte.

Leaders of the Portland Association of Teachers and the union that represents analysts, coordinators, administrative assistants and other professionals who work for the city took the stage to urge leaders to rethink the use of public funds for arena improvements.

“We are facing 20 school closures in Portland Public Schools while the city, state and county just invested $365 million in renovating the Moda Center for a billionaire while our schools are struggling,” said Alisha Chavez, president of the Portland Teachers Association.

Kari Koch, president of the Portland City Professional Workers Union, which represents about 800 employees, said Mayor Keith Wilson should focus on finalizing contract negotiations with the union rather than striking a deal with Dundon.

“Stop kowtowing to billionaires,” she said. “Invest in services. Invest in your workers and fix those contracts.”