Latest news with #PortlandDiamondProject
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Oregon just made the race for an MLB expansion team a lot more compelling
FILE - The Major League Baseball logo is seen on the field before a spring training baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Atlanta Braves Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in Bradenton, Fla. | Charlie Neibergall Oregon lawmakers made it clear Tuesday that the state and Portland are all-in on adding a Major League Baseball team. The Oregon House of Representatives voted 46-6 to pass Senate Bill 110 (SB110), which — pending final approval from governor Tina Kotek — would allocate $800 million in bonds to help fund the construction of a professional baseball stadium on Portland's South Waterfront, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported. Advertisement The bonds will not be paid for using any current state revenue, either. Rather they will be paid for through income taxes paid by MLB players and support staff, should Portland land a major league team. 'Tax revenues that are generated from the Oregon personal income tax liabilities shown on the income tax returns filed by the members of a professional athletic team engaged in Major League Baseball, including revenues that are generated from the tax liabilities of spouses of members of a professional athletic team engaged in Major League Baseball,' the bill reads. The bill notes the expected cost of building an MLB stadium in Portland is approximately $2 billion, meaning the remainder of the funding for a ballpark will fall on the team, OPB reported. Portland Diamond Project, the organization behind the push to bring MLB to Oregon, lobbied hard for the bill. Advertisement Craig Cheek, the founder and president of PDP, told OPB, 'Today is an exciting moment for Oregon. Overwhelmingly passing SB 110 is more than securing funding support for a professional baseball stadium, this bill shows Major League Baseball Oregon is excited about America's pastime.' The proposed site of a future ballpark in Portland is the 33-acre Zidell Yards site in the South Waterfront neighborhood. Portland is one of a number of cities, along with Salt Lake City, thought to be in consideration if/when MLB decides to expand. Others in that group include: Charlotte Nashville Montreal Orlando Raleigh San Antonio There is a thought that MLB will expand — or at least have started preparing for expansion — by the time commissioner Rob Manfred's third and final term concludes in 2028. Advertisement Relocation of an MLB team has also been discussed, centering on the Oakland A's last summer, before recently transitioning to the Tampa Bay Rays. On Wednesday, Sportico reported that the Rays may soon have a new ownership group, led by Jacksonville, Florida, developer Patrick Zalupski. The deal is reportedly for around $1.7 billion and Zalupski has signed a letter of intent to purchase the team. Also part of the potential new ownership group, Sportico reported, are: Ken Babby — owner of two Minor League Baseball teams; the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and the Akron RubberDucks. Bill Cosgrove — CEO of Union Home Mortgage, which has been the title sponsor of the Gasparilla Bowl (played in Tampa) since 2020. The Rays are in desperate need of a new ballpark, with Tropicana Field now 35 years old and having suffered significant roof damage caused by Hurricane Milton last year. Advertisement This season, the Rays are playing their home games at the New York Yankees' Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees' minor league complex in Tampa. The roof of the Tropicana Field is damaged the morning after Hurricane Milton hit the region Oct. 10, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. | Julio Cortez ESPN reported in March that the Rays are not going forward with the development of a $1.3 billion new ballpark in St. Petersburg, Florida, which has led to plenty of speculation about potential relocation of the franchise, although in a statement to ESPN, Major League Baseball expressed a commitment to keeping the Rays in the Tampa area. 'Major League Baseball remains committed to finding a permanent home for the club in the Tampa Bay region for their fans and the local community,' the statement reads. 'Commissioner Manfred understands the disappointment of the St. Petersburg community from today's announcement, but he will continue to work with elected officials, community leaders, and Rays officials to secure the club's future in the Tampa Bay region.' Advertisement If Zalupski purchases the team, relocation outside of Florida seems unlikely, meaning cities like Portland and Salt Lake City would have to wait for an expansion phase in order to land an MLB team. If/when expansion comes, Big League Utah — a coalition of prominent Utahns led by the Larry H. Miller Company — believes Salt Lake City is well positioned to land a team. 'I think expansion is taking a bit of a backseat to other priorities that Major League Baseball is dealing with. They know where we are and we have a dialogue with them. But we also respect that there will be a process and that that process hasn't begun yet. The worst thing we can do is try to force ourselves into a conversation when that conversation is not ready right now,' Steve Starks, Miller Company CEO, told the Deseret News last fall. 'We have done everything we can to this point to be the most prepared market for potential expansion and we'll continue to do that.'
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hip Mexican restaurant brings another late-night spot to Southeast Portland
PORTLAND, Ore. () — Late-night Mexican eats and cocktails are on the menu for a hip Southeast Portland eatery updating its weekend hours. Located on 2832 SE Belmont St., is now open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. The business originally closed at 10 p.m. nightly. Portland Diamond Project's stadium funding bill heads for House vote Owner Lucy De León — whose parents founded Salsas Locas, previously known as Tortilleria Y Tienda DeLeon's — said she has wanted to extend the hours for 'a while' since . 'We wanted to create a space where people can unwind and celebrate summer, especially on the weekend,' De León told KOIN 6. 'We just feel like [in] Portland, you know there's always a shift of energy in summer.' La Patroncita's food menu will be more limited past 10 p.m., when it will only serve customers over 21. The eatery will still offer small bites like chips and guacamole, shrimp ceviche, beef or cheese-stuffed flautas and pink churros — and the owner said chefs will remain 'open' to making other dishes, as long as the kitchen has the needed ingredients. The restaurant's dinner menu additionally includes nachos, quesabirria, tacos and even churro cheesecake. Thirsty guests can still look forward to a full bar. The eatery's summer cocktail menu includes beverages inspired by the flavors Mexican people 'grew up with,' like hibiscus and tamarind, according to De León. Beer and wine will be available as well. St. Johns Bizarre seeks alternative options for lighting that could 'diminish' event The restaurateur said the business also plans to host local talent, such as DJs and other artists, during its late-night service. 'It's important for us to be supporting our creative community, and it's part of our mission, too. We invite everyone to come and experience, you know, our space and our flavors and music and the magic of La Patroncita,' she said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Portland Diamond Project's stadium funding bill heads for House vote
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A bill that would help bring a Major League Baseball stadium to Portland advanced in the Oregon legislature after passing out of the House Revenue Committee on Thursday. Under Senate Bill 110, lawmakers could allocate $800 million toward the construction of a new ballpark. The legislation builds on a pre-existing law from 2003, which set aside $150 million for a professional team. However, instead of public funds, SB 110's revenue source would be taxes charged to local and visiting baseball players and other organization employees. They would be expected to repay the bonds within 30 years. North Portland pizzeria is one of the nation's best, according to Food & Wine On Thursday, the bill was unanimously voted out of the Revenue Committee, bringing Portland one step closer to securing the park. In a statement on Thursday, Portland Diamond Project President and Founder Craig Cheek said, 'Portland Diamond Project is pleased to see SB 110 unanimously voted out of committee. We want to thank legislators for believing in this project. Next stop, the house floor for a vote!' Representative Daniel Nguyen (D-Lake Oswego & SW Portland) described the bill as an opportunity for economic development, stating, 'This session, we're walking and chewing Big League gum: investing in Oregon families' most immediate needs, and also in forward-thinking, once in a generation opportunities–like keeping Oregon competitive in the MLB's search for its newest world-class stadium and team. Being able to continue making investments in strong education for our kids, affordable, accessible health care, and critical infrastructure is dependent on bills like SB 110 that unlock economic development opportunities that will stimulate our economy, re-energize small business and tourism, and boost our resources for years to come.' Dutch Bros, beloved national coffee chain, to move headquarters out of Oregon The bill's passage out of the House committee comes after the bill passed the Senate in mid-April. SB 110 now heads to the House floor for a vote. The Portland Diamond Project has advocated for a local franchise since its founding in 2017. The organization has already proposed the South Waterfront's Zidell Yards as the team's potential stomping grounds. PDP Founder and President Cheek that the ballpark's first opening day wouldn't be until 2028 or 2029. MLB Commissioner he hopes to begin the process of expanding the league with two new teams before his retirement in 2029. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Portland Diamond Project swings for fence in Salem
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The road to bringing Major League Baseball to Portland goes through Oregon's Senate Finance and Revenue Committee on Monday as supporters step up to the plate to fund construction with a bid competitive with other cities. The pitch is not a curveball. The along with city leaders will throw their weight behind , which would to $800 million. The bill, if passed, and team employees instead of taxing Oregonians. Back in 2003, , which laid out $150 million in bonds if Portland was awarded an MLB team. But the bonds had to be paid back within 30 years — the Earlier in March, Portland Diamond Project founder Craig Cheek, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson and Metro Chamber President Andrew Hoan made a similar pitch to a House committee. 'We believe the state's support is critical for this project's success. We asked legislators to revisit SB5, originally passed in 2003, and update the law to better reflect the current revenue generated by players salaries and the rising costs to build a world-class stadium in downtown Portland,' 'This would not be a new tax on Oregonians. We look forward to working with the legislature to make Oregon better with baseball.' Last week, Cheek said this is an opportunity that may not come around again for decades since Major League Baseball is currently trying to add two new teams. 'We know Major League Baseball is eyeing up an expansion plan in the very near future,' Cheek said. Getting the amendment added to Senate Bill 110 is one of 'the steps that are necessary to put very serious dollars on the table to attract a team to downtown Portland, Oregon. All I can say is that this will be transformative for our city, for our region, for our state, for our community.' Cheek, Wilson, Hoan and local economist Mike Wilkerson are expected to testify to the Senate committee on Monday. The hearing begins at 8 a.m. In early March, the Portland Diamond Project released renderings of a proposed ballpark at the current site of Zidell Yards on the South Waterfront in direct proximity to the Willamette River. Portland is considered a strong contender for an MLB team. Other strong contenders include Salt Lake City, Nashville and Montreal. KOIN 6 News will continue to follow this story and have more information later in the day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Portland Diamond Project releases South Waterfront renderings
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Five months after the City of Portland voted to put its support behind bringing a Major League Baseball team to town, leader are taking their vision of a new stadium along the South Waterfront to state leaders in Salem. This version of the stadium places the ballpark at the current site of Zidell Yards. Renderings released Monday showcase the stadium's proximity to the Willamette River. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson was among those in Salem on Monday. The Portland Diamond Project's goal is to revisit a bill passed by the Oregon senate in 2003. They want it updated to better reflect revenue generated by players' salaries. Andrew Hoan with the Portland Metro Chamber told the committee a new stadium 'would ignite a boom in Oregon's living room … that will be felt for many years to come and in fact generations. It's time to think about going on a completely different course. This is not small ball. This ia a big league swing for the fences and I think it's time to take that hit.' In a statement, Portland Diamond Project President Craig Cheek thanked the House Committee on Economic Development, Small Business and Trade for hearing their pitch. 'We believe the state's support is critical for this project's success. We asked legislators to revisit SB5, originally passed in 2003, and update the law to better reflect the current revenue generated by players salaries and the rising costs to build a world-class stadium in downtown Portland,' Cheek said. 'This would not be a new tax on Oregonians. We look forward to working with the legislature to make Oregon Better with Baseball.' The costs of a Major League Baseball team in Portland is estimated to be at least $150 million — not including the stadium. Officials hope to begin building the ballpark in 2027. The Portland Diamond Project is expected to hold a press conference soon to talk about the plan's details. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
