As a staunch San Francisco Giants fan, nights at the baseball stadium were an integral part of my childhood. The permeating smell of garlic fries, snippets of iconic walk-up songs, tipsy twentysomethings and most importantly, a reverence of the game and team mentality stretched to the furthest nosebleed seats.
Portland boasts many ways to pass time, from unique museums and funky-themed bars to beautifully wild nature and live performances. In terms of professional sports, we have the Trail Blazers basketball team, and our two soccer teams: the Portland Thorns FC and the Timbers. This is all set to change though, as the Portland Diamond Project (PDP) has plans for our very own Portland Major League Baseball (MLB) team and stadium. The PDP is an organization aiming to purchase and build the franchise from the ground up, partnering with both private investors and state-issued bonds.
The PDP has recently signed a Letter of Intent to purchase Zidell Yards and use the 33 acres of waterfront property to build an MLB stadium for our very own home team. The lot is on the South Waterfront, tucked northwest of the Fremont bridge. According to The Oregonian, it will cost an estimated $1 billion to construct the building and another $1 billion to create the franchise.
The PDP has larger ideas than just bringing MLB to our corner of the Pacific North West; its mission statement outlines their commitment to ensuring that the park will also support the goals and values of the community it is joining.
“Baseball in Portland presents a rare opportunity to shape the future of our city on a grand scale: creating employment opportunities, expanding transportation options, adding great public spaces, and building civic pride,” the PDP’s web page reads.
Craig Cheek, the president of the PDP, has revealed that one of the park’s goals is to be environmentally conscious and a pillar of sustainability in the sports world.
“The group is considering pursuing a LEED Platinum certification, a recognition of sustainable building practices, energy efficiency and water use that no other ballpark has achieved,” Cheek said.
The PDP’s website has many digital mockups of what the park is proposed to look like, all suggesting a dynamic community space that encourages the celebration of the quintessentially American sport. The physical setup of the stadium will be adapted to Portland weather — with a retractable, translucent roof that can slide over the park but still protect the field from the elements. Another quirky addition shown in the mockups is a gondola within the park, which would traverse from to the outfield and back, offering a unique perspective on the game.
There is still more that has not been made public about the plans for the team and stadium, including who has agreed to foot the multi-billion dollar costs and the agreements between the city and the PDP. Even though there is still so much to be determined, the iconic Portland food truck culture could bring a PNW-specific experience to the world of baseball, departing from the usual over-priced stadium food. Overall, I personally am very excited to experience a Portland baseball game, and though I will be a Giants fan for life, there is always room to cheer on a new team.
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