PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — Portland City Council members are weighing in on whether or not to use climate fund dollars to renovate the Moda Center. Several councilors tell KATU that voters intended the money to address climate issues, not subsidize an arena that not all residents use.
The debate comes as Portland is the home of one of the newest Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) teams, the Portland Fire, and will host the NCAA Women’s Final Four in 2030. City leaders are weighing how to pay for renovations to the city-owned arena.
According to a new poll from The Oregonian, 55% of voters oppose using money from the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund, which was created to address climate instability, for arena renovations.
READ ALSO | Portland City Council divided over $400M Moda Center overhaul tied to Blazers’ future
Portland City Council members are weighing in on whether or not to use climate fund dollars to renovate the Moda Center. Several councilors tell KATU that voters intended the money to address climate issues, not subsidize an arena that not all residents use. (KATU)
On Friday, council members shared where they stand on the proposal.
Councilor Candace Avalos said she opposes using the climate fund for the project.
“I agree with the 55% of Portlanders that said ‘No.’ We don’t think that’s a good investment,” Avalos said.
Councilor Steve Novick also questioned whether public dollars should be used for the renovations.
“I think that the billionaire owners could put something into renovation of the Moda Center,” Novick said.
Councilor Mitch Green said he was not surprised by the poll results and does not support using climate fund dollars for the arena.
“Honestly, I’m not surprised to see that polling,” Green said. “I’ve been hearing that from my constituents the whole time. I do not support using climate energy fund dollars for renovating that arena.”
READ ALSO | Gov. Kotek backs $365M Moda Center renovation plan as Blazers’ future questioned
Other council members, like Angelita Morillo, tell KATU they are against this move. Morillo’s office sent over a statement to KATU, saying, “Councilor Morillo opposes using taxpayer dollars to acquiesce to the whims of a billionaire without strong community benefits. If PCEF dollars are to be used, we need guarantees that the Albina neighborhood would be electrified, a portion of the ticket sales would go towards public transit infrastructure, and the Moda would have a labor peace agreement.”
Other council members remain divided on the proposal, with some opposing the move outright and others expressing support with conditions.
City Councilor Eric Zimmerman sent KATU the following statement:
“I’m all in on Moda and keeping the Blazers here. Keeping them here without raising any taxes on Portlanders is key to me. I’ll seriously consider any package the Mayor brings forward to the City Council.”