Bring baseball and Beavers to Beaverton

A preliminary non-binding deal has been struck between Portland Beavers owner Merritt Paulson and negotiators for a new baseball stadium expected to hold 8,600 fans in Beaverton, and the Beaverton City Council is planning on reviewing the deal.

A preliminary non-binding deal has been struck between Portland Beavers owner Merritt Paulson and negotiators for a new baseball stadium expected to hold 8,600 fans in Beaverton, and the Beaverton City Council is planning on reviewing the deal. But there is still a long way to go with four possible stadium locations taken off the list recently.

It was announced a couple of weeks ago that the city would not build a stadium on land with an unwilling seller. Therefore, the preferred Westgate Theatre location was crossed off the list of potential sites.

Three other sites that were being considered are no longer on the table. The sites include a property along Southwest 114th Avenue, Canyon Road at Hall Boulevard and Canyon Road at Cedar Hills Boulevard. That leaves the preliminary deal sans location. Future site location ideas are going to be under consideration for the next couple of weeks.

The Oregonian reported that the Beaverton City Council will vote on a deal as early as Oct. 19. As it stands, the preliminary deal is estimated to cost $59 million. Through higher property taxes and utility taxes, Beaverton taxpayers are expected to pay approximately 60 percent of the $59 million.

The preliminary agreement includes $11.6 million to buy land and $2.4 million for road upgrades as well as other costs.

Beaverton is planning on issuing $50 million in revenue bonds that will be repaid through higher taxes estimated to cost the average homeowner $64 per year. Paulson is going to pay $9 million.

He will also make rent and ticket tax payments that could cost up to $875,000 per year. Paulson has promised to make cost overruns up to $2 million and cover any above that. He also personally guaranteed the rent payments.
If the preliminary deal is approved it will remain active until Nov. 16, when a preliminary development and site agreement must be met.

Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle is really pushing for this new stadium.

However, some Beaverton citizens were pushing for a voice and a vote. The public support has been difficult to measure, which is why groups such as Let Our Voters Vote are pushing so hard for a public vote. It’s hard to tell whether the City of Beaverton wants this or not.

Another hurdle occurred when Paulson opened his mouth and decided to tell the Beaverton City Council that without a home for the Minor League Baseball team, there would be no Major League Soccer in Portland.

He had to immediately retract his statement and he even put a call in to Portland’s mayor to reiterate his statement. Now he is saying he is confident deals will work out on both sides, for both soccer and baseball.

Putting aside the issue that the deal better work out, or there will be some pretty hacked off people in the metro area. It is not just Paulson who needs to get it together: Beaverton needs to pull it together.

Yes, Beavers baseball would be a great addition to the city of Beaverton. Yes, it would help businesses. And yes, Beaverton, you need to give your voters a say if you expect them to foot 60 percent of the bill.

Since giving the Beavers a home in Portland hit some obstacles along the way, Beaverton would be a great alternative. It is about a 25-minute MAX ride from downtown Portland and if the stadium were close to a MAX line, it would easy for people to attend the games.

The Beavers would still be in the metro area and it will bring a new attraction to Beaverton, thus bringing more people, thus helping Beaverton businesses. So get it together Beaverton and bring a great baseball franchise home.