10 — Weighing both sides
Weighing both sides
In short: both sides are citing real, sourced facts, this page lays out the strongest version of each case side by side.
Neither side is wrong so much as each is emphasizing a different set of facts. Below is the strongest version of each case, drawn only from what's already documented elsewhere on this site.
What critics point to
- Owner Tom Dundon has contributed $0 in private capital, framing his own tax payments as "a pretty big investment." (Funding Figures)
- The total public commitment adds up to roughly $861.6M, not counting bond interest, which isn't public yet. (Long-Term Costs)
- A 2026 Oregonian poll found 55% of Portland voters opposed using PCEF funds for the renovation, and council members Novick, Green, and Avalos have each said on record they oppose it. (The Portland Clean Energy Fund)
What supporters point to
- On the city's own numbers, renovating is cheaper than the alternative: $395M vs. $482M if the team stays without renovation. (Long-Term Costs)
- The state's $365M comes with no new taxes, funded through wage withholding already tied to the Rose Quarter. (The State's Funding Commitment)
- The arena functions as an anchor tenant for the broader Lower Albina restorative development effort; Albina Vision Trust testified in support of SB 1501, warning that losing the team would undercut that work. (The Arena's Neighbor: Albina Vision Trust)