Blazers have more time for planning
The Portland City Council has approved a 6-month extension of development rights for Portland Arena Management for the Rose Quarter area in the vicinity of the Rose Garden and Memorial Coliseum in North Portland.
“We have a 6-month window to make significant progress with the Trailblazers, the Winterhawks, the community and key business partners to build a structure – both physical and economic – that will attract jobs and generate business development,” said Mayor Sam Adams.
Adams said the current thinking is “to harness the energy of the Rose Quarter as an amateur and professional athletic destination to create a living, breathing forum for ideas and innovation anchored by a signature Portland industry, the athletic and outdoor cluster.”
The vision to capitalize on the athletic and outdoor brand – and develop the Rose Quarter district as an employment hub is buoyed by the collaboration of Portland’s “big three” sports industry players: Nike, Adidas, and Columbia Sportswear.
“We are eager to see this project move forward with community members continuing to play a vital role is shaping a district that benefits all Portlanders,” said Portland Development Commissioner Charles Wilhoite.
The envisioned Rose Quarter would generate unique marketing and showcase opportunities for athletic and outdoor companies, and support a community of like-minded creative people.
