Council approves PGE Park soccer deal

By: Nathalie Weinstein//February 3, 2010//

Council approves PGE Park soccer deal

Nathalie Weinstein//February 3, 2010//

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Portland City Council today approved agreements between the city and Peregrine Sports to renovate PGE Park and bring Major League Soccer to the venue.

Commissioner Amanda Fritz was the only no vote, saying the project was too expensive and that the money being used for PGE Park could be better spent elsewhere in the city. However, Commissioner Randy Leonard says the money would not be available for other city projects.

“You can’t argue that money for PGE Park can be used elsewhere when it wouldn’t be available if Major League Soccer wasn’t coming to Portland,” Leonard said. “This deal is an outstanding opportunity for Portland. We have guarantees to insulate us from putting the general fund at risk.”