A coalition of Oregon’s top elected officials is publicly backing a proposal to renovate Portland’s Moda Center, describing the project as a long-term investment in the state’s economy, cultural identity, and competitive standing in the national sports and entertainment market.
The announcement follows the introduction of Senate Bill 1501, legislation that would establish a framework for a multi-jurisdictional agreement to modernize what leaders are calling “Oregon’s Arena.” The proposal has drawn support from Governor Tina Kotek, Senate President Rob Wagner, House Majority Leader Ben Bowman, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, and Portland City Council President Jamie Dunphy.
Opened in 1995, the Moda Center is now the oldest National Basketball Association venue that has not undergone a major renovation. State and local leaders argue that without significant upgrades, Portland risks falling behind other cities that have invested heavily in modern arenas designed to attract large-scale tours, sporting championships, and national events.
According to figures cited by supporters of the bill, the arena generates an estimated $670 million in annual regional economic impact, supports nearly 4,500 jobs, and hosts more than 240 days of sports, concerts, and community programming each year. As the home of the Portland Trail Blazers, the venue also serves as a centerpiece of the city’s Lower Albina neighborhood, an area that has seen ongoing redevelopment efforts in recent years.
In a joint statement issued in support of Senate Bill 1501, the group of leaders emphasized both the economic and symbolic importance of the facility. “The key to ensuring Portland remains Rip City for years to come is a significant renovation of Moda Center, the oldest venue where the NBA plays that has not undergone a major renovation,” the statement reads. “We must invest in this publicly-owned, community asset that serves as an economic engine for our state and brings millions of Oregonians and other visitors together each year for concerts, family shows, and community events.”
Supporters of the measure argue that the renovation extends well beyond basketball. “This is so much bigger than basketball,” the statement continues. “A renovation of Moda Center will ensure our largest city, and therefore the state, can be competitive in attracting stops for national concert tours, as well as future marquee athletic events like the NCAA Women’s Final Four, which Portland will proudly host in 2030.”
Portland is already scheduled to host the 2030 NCAA Women’s Final Four, an event expected to bring national visibility and significant visitor spending. Leaders contend that a modernized arena would position Oregon to compete for additional high-profile events in the years ahead.
While public financing of sports facilities can be politically sensitive, the coalition stressed that the proposed plan would not create new tax burdens. According to the joint statement, lawmakers have “worked together to craft a bill to support a renovation that reinvests revenue generated by Moda Center back into the arena and utilizes other existing revenue sources to preserve this vital community asset without creating new tax burdens for Oregonians.”
Details of the financing structure are expected to be vetted through the legislative process, with public hearings and analysis to follow. Senate Bill 1501 sets the groundwork for state, county, and city entities to collaborate on a formal agreement governing the renovation effort.
The leaders also framed the issue as central to the long-term stability of the Portland Trail Blazers franchise in Oregon. “The City of Portland, State of Oregon, and Multnomah County are fully aligned on the need to act now to modernize Moda Center and secure the Blazers’ long-term future here,” the statement reads.
Professional sports teams have relocated from cities across the country in recent decades amid disputes over facilities and financing. While there has been no formal announcement suggesting an imminent move, backers of the bill say proactive investment is essential to maintaining Portland’s standing as an NBA city.
The statement concludes with a broader appeal to state pride and shared identity. “In good times and bad, win or lose, Oregonians stick together. We are defined by work ethic and grit, substance over flash, determination in the face of adversity. After more than 50 years, the Blazers are at the center of our state’s identity. Let’s cement their future in Portland and invest in an economic asset that benefits Oregonians statewide. Game on.”
As leaders begin debating Senate Bill 1501, the proposal is likely to generate discussion about public investment priorities, urban redevelopment, and the role of professional sports in Oregon’s economy. For now, state and local leaders are presenting a unified front, arguing that modernizing the Moda Center is not simply about preserving a building, but about shaping the next chapter of Oregon’s largest city and one of its most recognizable institutions.