Oregon Public Broadcasting

Portland leaders said Tuesday that having a new baseball park and entertainment district near the Rose Garden arena means the demolition of historic Memorial Coliseum.

Planners determined that a new baseball park can really only fit where the coliseum is now.  

The new baseball park is a domino effect of Portland’s effort to put a Major League Soccer team in a renovated PGE Park, across the Willamette River. But the Rose Garden plans would not only destroy the coliseum, but would knock down new parking garages and an office building nearby.

Mayor Sam Adams says he supports making room for the Trail Blazers’ proposed mixed-use entertainment district for the Rose Quarter, as well.

But Blazers’ representative, Jay Isaac, says for that to work, big issues need resolution - including the city's financial commitment to the Blazers.

Jay Isaac: “We’re in discussions with the city about that, and the mayor made it clear that he sees this as just a big a priority as the stadium, so we got to get there.”

Portland leaders say they’re on a very tight timeline - with the city council discussing the latest plans in the next few weeks.