Portland is on the ‘cusp’ of being a Major League City…there is a strong positive reaction to quality here in Portland and Oregon…you can see that pattern in the caliber of the people’s work.
Sports is great business for Portland and Oregon…both events and franchises. I believe we are in perfect position, if we have the right leadership, to land either Tampa Bay or Oakland. There is $500 million, non-tax payer money, on, or near, the ‘bargaining table’…if we can see the benefits. The location that would bring most economic development, and rising property values, is the 14 acres downtown Post Office, which is for sale and should be moved to the airport for more efficiency anyway. If we get a MLB commitment from Bud Selig, that if we build it, they will come, the funding for the stadium would come from a Historically Themed, Entertainment Experience, RiverBoat Casino that would celebrate our beautiful rivers by being mobile to Astoria and Cascade Locks.
This would catch CEO’s attention that Portland can get things done, and maybe they should look to move their business here.
…also the Winter Olympics for ’22 is something we should go after, the Ryder Cup for ’24 with Peter J. leading a charge to respect the ’47 Ryder Cup ‘resurrection’ that Portland did at Portland Golf. Pumpkin or The Reserve would be the site.
….three Davis Cups, ’81 and ’84 semifinals vs Australia, and ’07 Davis Cup Final vs Russia were instant sellouts proving we are an excellent tennis city and should have an ATP/WTA Tour event.
Was Portland Dreaming?
….also, we beat out 27 American Cities to host the ’92 Basketball Qualification for Barcelona…The Dream Team…and sold out ALL games…and got the NBA Draft in ’92….first time not in NYC…and the NBA LOVED it here.
One more big figure about Business Development due to quality sports: NEC (Nippon Electric Company) was worldwide sponsor for Davis Cup in ’81. Directly because of the Davis Cup, NEC’s CEO added Portland to a short list for a plant in the USA. Thanks to Gov. Atiyeh, the tax arrangements brought in $700 million in economic development when NEC’s 800 jobs were the anchor for Fujitsu, Kyocera, SEH America and Epson to build here to supply NEC.
Sports is great economic business for Oregon. I am an Econ Major from Seattle U. I have lived here for 40 years, was a driving force in the Davis Cups, Dream Team and other events.
Elect me to the City Council and I will go after these things…and more!
