Portland City Council Work Session - Moda Center 06/24/26

The Portland City Council held a work session on June 24, 2026, focused on the future of the Moda Center, a publicly owned venue. The session included presentations on community engagement survey results and discussions about the challenges and opportunities related to renovating the arena. Council members expressed concerns about the lack of detailed financial and technical information, emphasizing the need for transparency, independent cost analyses, and clear terms in any lease agreement with the Blazers. Key procurement-related topics included the potential $120 million local funding commitment required to unlock $365 million in state bonds, the necessity of private capital contributions from the team, maintenance responsibilities, lease term length, and community benefits agreements. Councilors stressed the importance of negotiating enforceable performance metrics, rent payments, and protections to ensure the Blazers remain in Portland for at least 30 years. The session concluded with a call for more comprehensive data, public communication, and a unified council vision to guide forthcoming negotiations and funding decisions.