They need to tear it down and build a stadium. A track would be stupid. Refitting it would be stupid.
Paul Allen should buy it. It would be his smallest house. Or he could have styrofoam glued on, float it, and sell his yacht. Has HCP heard of this great lawn care opportunity? I still hope this message board starts meeting for games, all of us get stoned first, paint the hippie bus, and ride to the game. New idea: The Memorial C. would be our campout area after the game. We could plant trees and crops and marijuana and live there, coming out only for games next door. It's a natural; the place looks like a giant glass greenhouse. Make it happen, Denny!
Use some of the structure currently there, and I think people would be better for it. But, as it is just for Blazer games alone, where would people park?
In the early 2000s a group of Portland businessmen tried to bring a team here. The NFL liked the Portland market and recognized that the metro was growing fast but said the city was too close to Seattle and considered Portland to be in the same market. I would've loved to steal the Raiders away from Oakland.
In Seattle, the empty KingDome still provided an alternative though unused. Once they decided to blow it up, NBA, MLB, and NFL all selfishly demanded separate new stadii. My point is, if you tear down the Mem-C, you may set free the hounds of political machinations from the Blazers, Timbers, etc.
Because when your own city is involved, quantity of events is more significant than quality of industry. An NFL team would occupy that stadium 10 times a year (counting pre-season). An MLB team provides 81 nights of activity for that district. Have you ever been to a Mariners game? There is a ton of ancillary activity around the stadium, even for "boring-ass baseball".
I hate baseball. I'd never go to a Mariners game unless tickets were purchased for me. Baseball is boring. Would I support a baseball team in Portland? Hell yes. But never over football. I don't give a shit about the economic stimulus. I'd much rather watch a football game than a baseball game any day.
Then get DirecTV and the NFL package. If we're talking about what the city should do with city resources and city property, what's best for the city as a whole is a much bigger consideration than your personal entertainment preference on autumn Sunday afternoons.
The PDX/Vancouver area could definately a baseball team. Tampa Bay would jump at moving here. They draw dick. I don't know if it could support an NFL team though. The weekend warriors who go to Eugene would have to pony up even more dough to see a most likely crappy (Raiders??) product. ..... better than kissing Seattle's ass. This sports market is NOT part of that city and never will be. Is Baltimore a part of the DC market? He'll no. F-ck Seattle. P.S. Blowup M.C. before it falls down. It isn't cost effective to renovate it.
