My humble opinion.... it has to be located at the Redtail Golf Course. Portland is heading towards a doom loop scenario (see San Francisco). The other area in regard to the Lloyd Center, is not the location I would suggest for anyone looking to build or revitalize. A couple things to consider. One, we have a DA in portland that doesn’t prosecute crimes, thus the crux of major issues plaguing Portland’s city central areas. Two, give yourself a fighting chance to have some semblance of safety when visitors come to the ballpark. The Redtail area is by far safer than downtown. I carry every time I go downtown. Regardless of what side of the river I’m on in Portland. The issues are real. It’s not blown out of proportion. The argument that this ballpark will fix and revitalize the area located at the Lloyd center is not going to happen without a serious crime crackdown. The homeless issue.... just as horrific in the Lloyd Center area. Which puts the bow on that area... What basis do I have for my opinion? I have a plethora of police clients, on-site visual references I’ve witnessed myself. And yes, statistics, and friends, and business owners all trying to flee that area. So, an easier build and a more sustainable area with less crime..... Redtail. Just my two cents.
Portland really needs to support this. The Lloyd Center Park with the promised new housing units would be a boon to the city. Summer nights in the new ballpark will be the greatest attraction of our beautiful city!
The Lloyd Center location makes all the sense in the world being in the city with a max line running to it already. Imagine the traffic on 217 trying to get to a game out there.
Oh the Lloyd Center site is the best suited by far! Mass transit is in place, there's that huge influx of money that Phil & Penny Knight have so graciously earmarked for the exact same area,and as we all know, malls are dying right and left. It would also merge with the Moda Center and bring a healthy entertainment destination to an area that has been treated so poorly over so many decades. What a boost this would be. Sadly, I just think we're too small minded and too "Portland" to make this move. It would benefit the city more that anything done in the past. Politicians should get off their "don't rock the boat" mentality and push forward. Think long term; be progressive Portland like you say you are. Back it up!!!
I live near Red Tail. A HARD NO! The only access is two lane Scholls Ferry Rd for 30,000 plus people? The Lloyd Center site makes total sense. I lot of us will fight against Red Tail. Sorry, there are better sites in the suburbs.
Jun 29, 2023·edited Jun 29, 2023Liked by John Canzano
Way back when I was in my 50's and there was talk of MLB in Portland, I vowed I would buy season tickets, a condo next to the ballpark, and live and retire there. Well, now I'm in my 70's, retired and this news has me once again getting excited about implementing my plan. Can't happen soon enough to suit me, for obvious reasons.
PDX is just to poopy (excuse my poor French). I would love to see it happen but, the leadership here can’t even handle taking care of the city let alone getting a ball club to land. Phil knight has the money but isn’t involved from what I have heard. Hate to rain on this parade but pie in the sky.
Lloyd Center makes more sense, making it accessible for the larger metro area, and next to the Moda Center, creating a fantastic sports district right at the nexus of our Metro transportation hub. MAX trains already converge at that point. You'll get many more east county fans attending. It's Unfortunate that people are using this forum to rant about city politics and our recent struggles stemming from Covid. Yes, it's been a rough several years, but this city is fighting its way back and I have no doubt Portland will be destination city again in the near future. The ballpark will only help.
As someone who does not drive, I could support any location that doesn't require a lengthy round trip via TriMet. That's why I'd lean heavily toward Lloyd Center.
And yes, discussing MLB parallel to Portland's other major issues should be OK. Why not?
Urban, urban, urban. The 500,000+ people who live in Clark County would not make the trek to Red Tail. Plus, the infrastructure is already there at Lloyd Center. This is a no-brainer.
Lived in San Diego when the decision was made to abandon Qualcomm Field for a new ballpark in downtown San Diego. The effort started with a central downtown shopping mall, Horton Plaza. This replaced tattoo parlors, sex shops, and areas of prostitution. The downtown was revitalized with the Gaslamp Quarter, a new convention center, numerous hotels etc.. This isn’t a novel idea. It just lacks political leadership in Portland. For the liberal idealists it is better to fund your projects with economic growth than taxing the average man to death.
Red tail golf course is too nice to destroy for a baseball stadium. Terrible location for a bb stadium. Traffic would be terrible and besides BB would be a terrible waste of money. No other golf courses in the area.
My humble opinion.... it has to be located at the Redtail Golf Course. Portland is heading towards a doom loop scenario (see San Francisco). The other area in regard to the Lloyd Center, is not the location I would suggest for anyone looking to build or revitalize. A couple things to consider. One, we have a DA in portland that doesn’t prosecute crimes, thus the crux of major issues plaguing Portland’s city central areas. Two, give yourself a fighting chance to have some semblance of safety when visitors come to the ballpark. The Redtail area is by far safer than downtown. I carry every time I go downtown. Regardless of what side of the river I’m on in Portland. The issues are real. It’s not blown out of proportion. The argument that this ballpark will fix and revitalize the area located at the Lloyd center is not going to happen without a serious crime crackdown. The homeless issue.... just as horrific in the Lloyd Center area. Which puts the bow on that area... What basis do I have for my opinion? I have a plethora of police clients, on-site visual references I’ve witnessed myself. And yes, statistics, and friends, and business owners all trying to flee that area. So, an easier build and a more sustainable area with less crime..... Redtail. Just my two cents.
Portland really needs to support this. The Lloyd Center Park with the promised new housing units would be a boon to the city. Summer nights in the new ballpark will be the greatest attraction of our beautiful city!
The Lloyd Center location makes all the sense in the world being in the city with a max line running to it already. Imagine the traffic on 217 trying to get to a game out there.
Oh the Lloyd Center site is the best suited by far! Mass transit is in place, there's that huge influx of money that Phil & Penny Knight have so graciously earmarked for the exact same area,and as we all know, malls are dying right and left. It would also merge with the Moda Center and bring a healthy entertainment destination to an area that has been treated so poorly over so many decades. What a boost this would be. Sadly, I just think we're too small minded and too "Portland" to make this move. It would benefit the city more that anything done in the past. Politicians should get off their "don't rock the boat" mentality and push forward. Think long term; be progressive Portland like you say you are. Back it up!!!
I live near Red Tail. A HARD NO! The only access is two lane Scholls Ferry Rd for 30,000 plus people? The Lloyd Center site makes total sense. I lot of us will fight against Red Tail. Sorry, there are better sites in the suburbs.
Way back when I was in my 50's and there was talk of MLB in Portland, I vowed I would buy season tickets, a condo next to the ballpark, and live and retire there. Well, now I'm in my 70's, retired and this news has me once again getting excited about implementing my plan. Can't happen soon enough to suit me, for obvious reasons.
Lloyd center area would be amazing. We will see if the city will be helpful for once.
PDX is just to poopy (excuse my poor French). I would love to see it happen but, the leadership here can’t even handle taking care of the city let alone getting a ball club to land. Phil knight has the money but isn’t involved from what I have heard. Hate to rain on this parade but pie in the sky.
Lloyd Center makes more sense, making it accessible for the larger metro area, and next to the Moda Center, creating a fantastic sports district right at the nexus of our Metro transportation hub. MAX trains already converge at that point. You'll get many more east county fans attending. It's Unfortunate that people are using this forum to rant about city politics and our recent struggles stemming from Covid. Yes, it's been a rough several years, but this city is fighting its way back and I have no doubt Portland will be destination city again in the near future. The ballpark will only help.
Great writing, John, as usual.
As someone who does not drive, I could support any location that doesn't require a lengthy round trip via TriMet. That's why I'd lean heavily toward Lloyd Center.
And yes, discussing MLB parallel to Portland's other major issues should be OK. Why not?
Urban, urban, urban. The 500,000+ people who live in Clark County would not make the trek to Red Tail. Plus, the infrastructure is already there at Lloyd Center. This is a no-brainer.
Great to see activity moving forward. I was thinking this was largely dead.
Lived in San Diego when the decision was made to abandon Qualcomm Field for a new ballpark in downtown San Diego. The effort started with a central downtown shopping mall, Horton Plaza. This replaced tattoo parlors, sex shops, and areas of prostitution. The downtown was revitalized with the Gaslamp Quarter, a new convention center, numerous hotels etc.. This isn’t a novel idea. It just lacks political leadership in Portland. For the liberal idealists it is better to fund your projects with economic growth than taxing the average man to death.
Red tail golf course is too nice to destroy for a baseball stadium. Terrible location for a bb stadium. Traffic would be terrible and besides BB would be a terrible waste of money. No other golf courses in the area.
Great idea for Lloyd Center; not so much Red Tail. Better transportation, more folks near Lloyd Center which badly needs upgrade
Lloyd Center would be a great location.