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The Portland Timbers plan to begin work this fall on a $50 million expansion of seating at Providence Park.

The project will add approximately 4,000 seats to the existing 21,144-capacity soccer stadium in Goose Hollow. The expansion will be privately financed by the Timbers, with no public money at risk, said Mike Golub, the Major League Soccer club’s president of business.

Renderings of the expansion, released by the team Wednesday, show a four-story vertical column rising behind the existing east grandstands. A rooftop curls over the top.

The first level will be club seating, the second and third will be general reserved seating and the fourth level will be reserved for groups.

The project team’s plans are scheduled go before the Portland Design Commission on May 11.

The design is by Allied Works Architecture. Golub first brought his ideas for a stadium expansion to a longtime friend, Allied Works principal Brad Cloepfil. Turner Construction will serve as the general contractor.

鈥淭urner has been the (general contractor) on the last several projects, and they have a great understanding of the stadium,鈥� Golub said.

The project adds to a rush of redevelopment in Goose Hollow. A portion of the Press Blocks project, east of Providence Park, would add 447 parking spaces underneath a 250-foot-tall tower. The Timbers have been in discussions with the developer, Security Properties, to use the parking on game nights, Golub said.

鈥淲e’re talking about doing some things cooperatively with them,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e haven’t finalized the deal, but we’re in close contact with them and think there’s some symbiotic ways we could work together to provide us parking for games and provide them parking for residents and retail (customers).鈥�

Also, Lincoln High School is due to receive a full rebuild if voters approve a $790 million bond measure in May.

The proposed Providence Park rooftop would cover the existing seats in sections 95, 96 and 99. Otherwise, existing seats will not be affected by the project.

The structure will also protrude over 18th Avenue, creating an arcade look. Allied Works looked to arcades in Bologna, Italy, as well as historic photos of East Burnside Street, for inspiration.

The Timbers are riding a wave of goodwill after winning the 2015 MLS Cup. The team has sold out 112 consecutive home matches. The Portland Thorns, of the National Women’s Soccer League, also draw strongly, averaging more than 17,000 fans per game.

Pre-construction could begin this fall, after the soccer season concludes. Work would resume in fall 2018.

The Timbers intend to stay in Providence Park, Golub said.

鈥淲e want to be here for the long term, be in this stadium for the long term,鈥� he said.

The Timbers will continue to work with the city of Portland and neighbors, including Lincoln High School and the Multnomah Athletic Club, on traffic issues. The team is conducting a traffic study.

鈥淚t’s fantastic being in this downtown location, but with it comes challenges,鈥� Golub said.

Roughly 60 percent of Timbers fans take MAX light rail to and from matches, he said. The Timbers also have deals with SmartPark and TriMet, and bicycle parking available.

鈥淲e have a lot of weapons in our arsenal to try to facilitate transportation to and from (Providence Park),鈥� Golub said.