Oregon Public Broadcasting

Portland city commissioners offered conflicting views Wednesday on how close the city is to a final agreement for a Major League Soccer team. Rob Manning has more.

Commissioners voted 3-to-2 to allow sports owner, Merritt Paulson, to start construction work on PGE Park. 

That would begin to transform it from a shared soccer and baseball venue, to one meant just for the Timbers’ soccer team. But commissioners expressed impatience that there’s no final deal between the city and Paulson, six months after they approved luring a major league soccer franchise.

Commissioner Nick Fish – who voted in favor of soccer last July – voted against the temporary permit.

Nick Fish: “Frankly, every time I’m briefed, the issues in dispute keep multiplying. My staff was advised there are some 81 issues in dispute. The concern I have is that I want the leverage to remain on our side.”

Commissioner Randy Leonard countered that because the work would be limited, and on Paulson’s dime, the permit actually increases the city’s leverage.

Meantime, Paulson is still without a new home for the Portland Beavers baseball team.