What exactly do we need in a new arena that couldn't be added to the Moda?

It seems like you could probably get some government funding for this benefit alone...

 

What about a rotating floor for the skybox level? The whole floor would move in one big circle for the whole game.

 

First concert I ever saw at the Rose Garden was the Beastie Boys. They had a rotating center stage.

 

That’s a great idea but the city would never do that as casinos to them are huge moral issues for them. Remember when the Expos were thinking of moving here and that one tribe offered a free baseball stadium on them for the right to build a casino in the city? The governor at the time said no

 

The biggest issue for me is think of the jobs it would create. Everything from janitorial to valet drivers (Olshey) to food service to managerial positions. Literally thousands of jobs. Then there are the construction and maintenance jobs.

 

Its not the Moda. Its the area around it. Sly has shown great ideas with the vegas still roof over the pedestrain area and hotels, etc.

the only other thing i think is a priority is elevating the max or traffic so there isn't the traffic jam down there like it always is.

 

Yeah expand the streetcar system through and around it.

 

It's going to be a big job whatever it is and we all know the city needs revitalization projects like this. Obviously it's ideal if private developers are footing the bill but to be honest if the city and state can leverage the right kind of deal that leaves them with enough ownership of whatever the solution ends up being; it will obviously be a government money costing measure up front but could be a money generating measure for the city and state in the long rum... not that politicians and people for that matter are known for taking a long term approach to things.

One thing that I find interesting from another thread is that there is a report that the Spurs ownership, the city of San Antonio and the county came to an agreement on a new downtown San Antonio development that will include the Spurs new arena. The interesting part to me is that we have the governments of the city of Portland and the state of Oregon on record saying they're willing to both chip in, not to mention potentially the county.

I think we'll see an agreement reached pretty quickly... it might not even need to go to a vote if executive branches of the local and state government can make it work with current taxes on a 10 or 15 year plan that includes taking on some significant debt up front that projects to being an eventual surplus in the future. I mean maybe a vote from the city council and state legislature is required but possibly not a vote on a ballot of any kind, if they can fit it within the framework of existing laws that overwrite spending.

 

Most important first step: Get rid of the god-awful name.

 

Will the Blazers have to move temporarily during the renovation period?

 

I just don't know if what we've heard matches this. It sounds like a gutted and rebuilt Rose Garden would be a concession on the part of new ownership. You have to believe that Silver was aware of Dundon when he made that comment about a new arena. I'm assuming a brand new arena is what Dundon wants. So a full gutting and major rebuild is the only way I see our team continuing to play in the Rose Garden... along with major construction and demolition in the surrounding area.

The fact is, if the city and citizens could have some foresight about all of this we would all want new hotels, a new or completely rebuilt arena, a bunch of new restaurants. We would want the type of infrastructure that could get us all star games, maybe the Olympics, huge conventions and all of the external revenue that comes with those things.

People constantly ask why Salt Lake City is considered for all star games and we aren't. The answer is simple, they made major major upgrades to there infrastructure and hospitality leading up to the 2002 Winter Olympics. So now they have what's needed to host anything no matter how big. Sometimes an event necessitates innovation but sometimes people have to be smart enough to majorly innovate and renovate to get events.

 

Oh yeah, kind of a throwback to the Jail Blazers!? That is a nice way to honor them...