Oregon Public Broadcasting

The University of Oregon faces a high-stakes vote. The school wants to build a new $200 million on-campus basketball arena. Critics say the arena is too big and too expensive.

Friday, the governing board of the state university system will vote to use taxpayer-backed bonds to build the arena. Ethan Lindsey reports.

The university board is likely to approve use of the bond.

But after that, the University of Oregon still faces a series of potential obstacles. Battles that must be won, or avoided, before it can build the basketball arena and replace aging MacArthur Court.

Nathan Tublitz is a biology professor at the University.

Nathan Tublitz: “I think it runs the gamut of working internally within the University, working with the city, to going to the courts. I can't speak for any specific group. There are a number of University faculty that are aghast.”

The University planned to start construction this summer.

But a land-use decision this week forces the school to apply for a special permit to account for traffic and noise. That process means a possible delay -- it could take around six months.

The University could appeal that decision but hasn't yet said if it will.