Portland Diamond Project releases South Waterfront renderings

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Five months after the City of Portland voted to put its support behind bringing a Major League Baseball team to town, leader are taking their vision of a new stadium along the South Waterfront to state leaders in Salem.

This version of the stadium places the ballpark at the current site of Zidell Yards. Renderings released Monday showcase the stadium’s proximity to the Willamette River.

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson was among those in Salem on Monday. The Portland Diamond Project’s goal is to revisit a bill passed by the Oregon senate in 2003. They want it updated to better reflect revenue generated by players’ salaries.

Andrew Hoan with the Portland Metro Chamber told the committee a new stadium “would ignite a boom in Oregon’s living room … that will be felt for many years to come and in fact generations. It’s time to think about going on a completely different course. This is not small ball. This ia a big league swing for the fences and I think it’s time to take that hit.”

In a statement, Portland Diamond Project President Craig Cheek thanked the House Committee on Economic Development, Small Business and Trade for hearing their pitch.

“We believe the state’s support is critical for this project’s success. We asked legislators to revisit SB5, originally passed in 2003, and update the law to better reflect the current revenue generated by players salaries and the rising costs to build a world-class stadium in downtown Portland,” Cheek said. “This would not be a new tax on Oregonians. We look forward to working with the legislature to make Oregon Better with Baseball.”

The costs of a Major League Baseball team in Portland is estimated to be at least $150 million — not including the stadium. Officials hope to begin building the ballpark in 2027.

The Portland Diamond Project is expected to hold a press conference soon to talk about the plan’s details.

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