Portland watches Washington situation with interest
By ANNE M. PETERSON
The Associated Press
12/15/2004, 4:14 p.m. PT
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon officials were watching the developments surrounding the Montreal Expos' move to Washington D.C. with great interest. The Nationals might not be a done deal.
The District of Columbia Council voted on Tuesday night to approve legislation that would finance construction of a ballpark — but the measure was amended to require private financing for at least half the stadium construction costs.
That provision was not contained in the September agreement between baseball and Washington Mayor Anthony A. Williams.
Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer, said Wednesday that the team's "business and promotional activities will cease until further notice."
Meanwhile, Oregon officials were ready to jump back into a bid for the Expos at any time.
"We don't know what it all means yet," said Drew Mahalic of the Oregon Sports Authority. "We need to wait to see how major league baseball assesses this so we can respond."
Supporters of Oregon's campaign to land a major league team will update outgoing Portland Mayor Vera Katz next Tuesday, during a previously scheduled meeting concerning the city's efforts to attract a team and stadium financing.
"Obviously this is moving pretty fast," said Scott Farris, a spokesman for Katz. "We have not heard any word from major league baseball that they are reopening the relocation process."
The city has a finance plan for a new ballpark, Farris said. Baseball officials have said they want public financing for a new stadium in place before deciding where to relocate the team.
The Expos, who struggled financially at Olympic Stadium, were purchased by the 29 other teams before the 2002 season. Portland was among several communities to bid for the team, including Las Vegas; Monterrey, Mexico; and Northern Virginia.
Earlier this month, baseball owners gave their conditional approval to the team's move to Washington, based on the agreement made in September with Mayor Williams.
Mahalic said Oregon's bid for a major league team has never centered solely on the Expos. The Oregon Stadium Campaign has worked to keep Portland's pitch for baseball alive, in hopes of landing a team in the future.
"This is an ongoing pursuit," Mahalic said.
Legislation was approved in Oregon last year that would allow the income taxes from players and other team personnel to be diverted to a fund to pay off bonds used to build the stadium.
Other sources of financing include a ticket tax, concessions and merchandise tax, and revenue from growth near the stadium, as well as things like charter seat licenses.
The Associated Press
12/15/2004, 4:14 p.m. PT
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon officials were watching the developments surrounding the Montreal Expos' move to Washington D.C. with great interest. The Nationals might not be a done deal.
The District of Columbia Council voted on Tuesday night to approve legislation that would finance construction of a ballpark — but the measure was amended to require private financing for at least half the stadium construction costs.
That provision was not contained in the September agreement between baseball and Washington Mayor Anthony A. Williams.
Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer, said Wednesday that the team's "business and promotional activities will cease until further notice."
Meanwhile, Oregon officials were ready to jump back into a bid for the Expos at any time.
"We don't know what it all means yet," said Drew Mahalic of the Oregon Sports Authority. "We need to wait to see how major league baseball assesses this so we can respond."
Supporters of Oregon's campaign to land a major league team will update outgoing Portland Mayor Vera Katz next Tuesday, during a previously scheduled meeting concerning the city's efforts to attract a team and stadium financing.
"Obviously this is moving pretty fast," said Scott Farris, a spokesman for Katz. "We have not heard any word from major league baseball that they are reopening the relocation process."
The city has a finance plan for a new ballpark, Farris said. Baseball officials have said they want public financing for a new stadium in place before deciding where to relocate the team.
The Expos, who struggled financially at Olympic Stadium, were purchased by the 29 other teams before the 2002 season. Portland was among several communities to bid for the team, including Las Vegas; Monterrey, Mexico; and Northern Virginia.
Earlier this month, baseball owners gave their conditional approval to the team's move to Washington, based on the agreement made in September with Mayor Williams.
Mahalic said Oregon's bid for a major league team has never centered solely on the Expos. The Oregon Stadium Campaign has worked to keep Portland's pitch for baseball alive, in hopes of landing a team in the future.
"This is an ongoing pursuit," Mahalic said.
Legislation was approved in Oregon last year that would allow the income taxes from players and other team personnel to be diverted to a fund to pay off bonds used to build the stadium.
Other sources of financing include a ticket tax, concessions and merchandise tax, and revenue from growth near the stadium, as well as things like charter seat licenses.
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