Save the Coliseum ... Not

Time for me to chip in on the Memorial Coliseum debate.

I find it interesting that we have been thinking and planning for years to find a use for this old building and now that we finally have a really good idea, i.e. a new baseball stadium, the plan gets thrown out by our mayor.

I have lived in Portland since 1991 and ever since I moved here, I've been hearing about how old and outdated the coliseum was. We built a new sports arena called the Rose Garden to solve that problem, then began to figure out how to make the remaining area vibrant and attractive. Ten or more years later, we still have the same old building, vacated restaurant spaces, and a completely failed entertainment zone.

This dying area has been off the radar for years as no one seemed to care... not the city nor the Trailblazers. Now along comes a terrific plan to move minor league baseball onto the site of the old coliseum. Baseball games bring people who are ready to spend some money. We have the mass transit in place, the parking in place, the views of downtown in place... everything you could want to create a vibrant and sustainable entertainment district. It makes perfect sense.

But wait, a group of architects and people who love old buildings say not so fast. Can't take it down. It has significant value as an example of modern arena design. The mayor listens, kills the baseball plan. He calls for yet another planning session - as if the last dozen or so were somehow flawed or incomplete... there has to be an even better idea.

Lets face it Portland, the coliseum is old, outdated, and serves no useful function. It is not a catalyst.... it's a dinosaur.

I love old buildings as much as anyone but I am also a financial realist. The city needs to create forward momentum for the Rose Quarter to achieve it's potential. Baseball yes, Coliseum no.

Maybe those intent on maintaining the status quo could figure out a way to move the old building to Lents where we can all look at and admire it for it's beauty.