06/09/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 06/09/2026 11:21
The Moda Center is our house - literally. It's owned by the City of Portland, home to the Portland Trail Blazers and Portland Fire, and it's the largest arena in Oregon. The Moda Center attracts 1.5 million visitors to 150 events every year, bringing in $600 million to the local economy. It also supports thousands of jobs.
Now, the Portland City Council wants your advice about a proposal to renovate the arena.
The Moda hasn't been updated in 30 years, and it is increasingly out of step with current technology, practices, and expectations. Many building systems are nearing end-of-life. The arena needs significant repairs and updates to keep it fully operational and meet the needs of visitors, workers, and events for decades to come. Investment could also help to revitalize the neighborhood, improve conditions for workers, bring in more large touring shows and supporting acts, and create opportunities for community partners like the Albina Vision Trust.
"We own the Moda Center," says Councilor Elana Pirtle-Guiney, who represents District 2 - home to the arena. "As a community, we need to determine whether it's worth investing in. Do we want a modern sports arena and a facility that brings more concerts and shows to the region? It's time to pose that question to Portlanders so that we can make the best decisions for our city moving forward."
The City Council is conducting a survey and hosting pop-up sessions in Portland parks to hear directly from you, leading up to a June 24 work session and formal decision-making later this year.
"Portlanders deserve to weigh in on the Moda Center decisions before they're made," says District 2 Councilor Sameer Kanal. "Our responsibility as a City is to ensure the community has information about the costs and benefits of each proposal or of leaving things the way they are, and to listen and engage as we work to find a deal that meets the needs of the City and our partners."
Councilors emphasized that there are two distinct issues with the Moda Center. One revolves around how the City invests in this civic asset, how much it invests, and where the money should come from. The other revolves around how to negotiate a long-term lease with the Trail Blazers that serves the needs of the community.
"We're going to push to get the best deal possible for Portlanders," says Council President Jamie Dunphy, who represents District 1 in East Portland.
As part of this spring's state legislative session, state leaders, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson, and the Blazers' new owners outlined a potential $573 million deal for a major renovation, tied to a 20-year lease. No money would go to the Trail Blazers or their ownership under this proposal; it would be spent renovating the arena. The potential breakdown looks like this:
Talk to your Councilors face-to-face at eight pop-up events coming to a Portland park near you. Scroll down (or look right) for details.