Canzano: MLB to PDX effort gets waterfront land

Zidell Property under contract.

The Portland Diamond Project has reached an agreement to purchase 33 acres of prime property on the South Waterfront and intends to use it for a Major League Baseball ballpark development, this publication has learned.

The Zidell Yards property has long been coveted by the MLB to PDX effort. It includes multiple access points that would feed into the ballpark from both sides of the river. The preliminary plans for the stadium district are expected to include 15 acres of retail, hotels, and residential developments.

I reached Craig Cheek, the founder of the PDP, on Monday. Cheek confirmed the news. He said: “We’re excited to share more soon.”

The group has previously explored building a stadium at Lloyd Center Mall and Terminal 2 in Portland. Both came with complications. The Portland Diamond Project had also looked hard at the 164 acres known as the RedTail Golf Course property. Residents and commuters who use Highway 217 groaned at the possibility of further congestion.

Here’s some fun news — the group is still expected to pursue RedTail but not as a primary stadium site. It sits eight miles from the waterfront property. It would be part of the MLB pitch and used for team training facilities and include youth baseball fields.

The Zidell Yards property has been vacant for years, except for the occasional visiting Cirque du Soleil tent that was set up. A high-rise development project was proposed, then later scrapped. A downtown ballpark and entertainment district would be a major victory for the city and sports fans.

These are fun times, right?

The WNBA announced an expansion franchise in Portland that is coming in 2026. That fostered an uptick in sports enthusiasm. Now — a coveted piece of property has landed in the hands of the city’s MLB to PDX effort.

There’s no telling when MLB will decide to officially expand — or if Portland will win the bid — but momentum like this can sure make you dream, can’t it?

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