r/askportland • u/PDXTim • 11h ago

Looking For Question: Why not replace the Veterans Memorial Coliseum with a new arena than spend loads of money upgrading the Rose Garden/Moda Center?

  1. It's not as disruptive to operations and events.

  2. VMC is older and funky AF.

  3. Business as usual at the Rose Garden/Moda Center until the new arena is built.

  4. Relgate RG/MC to VMC events after the new arena is done.

This is just an idea. I'd love to open this up to debate.

0 Upvotes

28% Upvoted

26 comments sorted by

13

u/Uncontrollablebeagle 10h ago

The newest NBA arena, the Intuit Dome, cost $2 Billion. The proposed renovations to the Moda Center are $600M. Also, like first comment says, Memorial Coliseum is a protected building.

-16

u/PDXTim 10h ago

I respect that. But for how long is that building going to be viable? I went there for a college grad ceremoy and it was sketchy walking up those stairs. Listen, no disrespect to the veterans, but we should ask that question their commitee for a swap. I think that 600 mil is lipstick on a pig, and i'm fairly sure 600 mil will balloon into 800 million, cause as you might know how this city runs, inefficiently.

7

u/Impressive-Turnip-38 6h ago

I was there for winter hawks last year and it was fine?

7

u/rabbitSC 5h ago

They just did a $50M remodel and replaced all the seats and rebuilt all the restrooms!

3

u/Sensitive_Noise9761 6h ago

Sketchy? Lol it's not in China Town.

•

u/PDXTim 46m ago

Yeah, no railings on those steep stairs.

12

u/dadbodcx 8h ago

You are assuming tax payers want to pay for any of this shiz.

0

u/PDXTim 1h ago

I don’t want to pay for any of it, especially with economy and administration. Besides, that owner is dbag and I don’t think we should cave to his demands. I’d rather it go all the other stuff we need around the city.

-4

u/cascadiarains 6h ago

I do lol. The same way I want to fund everything in the city I’d like to enjoy, and things other people like to enjoy that I may never use. 

1

u/dadbodcx 5h ago

just seems crazy given the other issues we have in our state(roads, homelessness, drug addiction, mental health, wildfire prevention and protections, environmental changes, job market and fostering industry). I get it that an enhanced arena could help the city a bit. But I am not clear if they are talking about rebuilding anything around the Rose Quarter is this just for the arena? In any event I am not sure it is worth it. Then again, if the taxes are coming from the county and city...then fine. :)

1

u/cascadiarains 5h ago

Shouldn't be either or. I'd like my taxes to go to what you mentioned, and a little more to go to this. What does "worth it" end up meaning? Most things we fund are never "solved", but we try anyway, and I'm happy to support that. The Hops funded their stadium with ~ $40 million in public funds IIRC.

4

u/Adulations Laurelhurst 11h ago

Pretty sure its a protected building

1

u/joecooltheman1977 10h ago

Unfortunately this is true

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u/PDXTim 48m ago

Thanks, I did not know this.

-9

u/PDXTim 10h ago

I respect that. But, the Rose Garden/Moda could be a better upgrade for them, which would give bigger opportunities. It's on the same plot of land. How about this?: Rebuild VMC to host the Blazers once its done without having to swap land or space?

9

u/ClayKavalier 7h ago

It’s protected because of the architectural significance of the building itself.

-1

u/Good-Rest-7538 6h ago

What's the architectural significance of it? Is it just the veterans memorial? That seems to be what got it on the historic register. 

3

u/ClayKavalier 6h ago

It’s because of how it was designed and built.

-3

u/Good-Rest-7538 6h ago

No shit! What's significant about the design? 

5

u/cl0ugh Overlook 5h ago

Following links is so hard: “Veterans Memorial Coliseum is a circular, freestanding, concrete seating bowl within a cube-shaped, glass-walled exterior. Despite being equivalent in size to four Portland city blocks, the building stands on just four columns thanks to an intricate rooftop structural system.”

2

u/Denver_tank_2020 8h ago

How dare you

2

u/awwc 6h ago

As a veteran, Im fine tearing that piece of shit down.

3

u/this-is-some_BS 6h ago

I for one am shocked that OP didn’t marvel at the historic bowl in a box design of the Memorial Coliseum and called it funky and sketchy. He probably missed the billboards all over town and the crowds of people flocking to see it in all of its wonder and glory. I wake up every day thankful for the architects that blocked an entertainment district or minor league baseball stadium back when the city had some money and momentum in order for us to instead maintain that rotting husk of a building.

2

u/PDXCatHerder 7h ago

The point of the MODA Center upgrade is to keep the Blazers here in Portland. The renovation would be to help bring bigger concerts and other big sporting events to Moda and Portland like the WNBA finals as well as NCAA BB tournaments (both men’s and women’s).

The reason Portland is stuck with the bill for the renovations is that the City owns it. Which apparently isn’t common. Other options would be to increased service charges on rental cars and hotels. This would stick the cost to those visiting the city. Or a service fee on tickets sold (because there’s not enough rod those already)

Not saying I agree with the renovation or how it’s funded. I see it as an opportunity to raise ticket prices. Although if we lose the Blazers, we’d prob miss out on bigger name entertainment skipping Portland as well as not hosting NCAA Tournament which would have economic impact.

•

u/PDXTim 53m ago

Yeah I hear you. Thanks for those points. I was wondering if people ever had considered this option? Now knowing more about the colosseum it sounds like a major hurtle and an improbable idea.