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- calendar_today October 21, 2026
Blazers Set for Home Opener Amid Moda Center Renovation Debate
As the Portland Trail Blazers gear up for their regular season home opener on Wednesday, discussions over the future of the team’s arena, the Moda Center, are taking center stage among city officials. On the same day as the much-anticipated game, Portland city councilors are preparing to debate and vote on the city's formal role in the oversight of the planned arena renovation—an issue with significant financial and civic implications.
Portland City Council Reviews Joint Authority Proposal
The main topic before the council is whether the city will join the Joint Authority, the governing body tasked with overseeing the arena renovation project. This authority will not only supervise the major upgrades to the Moda Center but will also have an ongoing role in its management. The Joint Authority is to be comprised of representatives from the state of Oregon, Multnomah County, and the City of Portland.
Alongside the decision to join, councilors must determine which three individuals from the city will fill Portland’s allotted seats on the Joint Authority. While there is agreement among some councilors on the importance of participation, the selection of representatives has become contentious.
Debate Over Council Representation and Accountability
Current city proposals suggest appointing the city administrator, a building official, and a representative from the budget office. However, opinions among council members are divided. Councilor Candace Avalos described the process as "choosing our fighters," emphasizing that the selected team must negotiate effectively to bring a proposal back for council review in December.
Councilor Mitch Green argued that council representation should include an elected official, saying, “If you don’t have someone who is accountable to voters every four years, then it’s really easy to sort of brush that off and say, ‘we’ll let someone else deal with it.’ But these are huge stakes. This is a $400 million investment or commitment, at least from the city of Portland. And we have to get it right.”
Conversely, Councilor Dan Ryan, whose district encompasses the Moda Center, supports the current slate of appointees. Ryan noted, “The state and the county saw no need to put politicians on this committee, and I think the city administrator and the mayor got this right. We need real clarity... So as a team, we can come together and get this done. So I have no issues with that.”
Funding, Deadlines, and Ownership
The urgency behind these decisions is heightened by a mid-December deadline to secure access to state funding. The state legislation allocated $365 million of the $600 million required for the overall arena renovation, making the formation of the Joint Authority a prerequisite for unlocking those funds.
Councilor Avalos voiced concern over the compressed timeline, stating, “I want to see us get through this Joint Authority tomorrow. I mean, this is already all so delayed. And so we need to get these people working. We need to get these people actually in the room with Tom Dundon and whoever else so that we can start seeing if we have a deal.”
Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon is expected to attend the home opener and reportedly plans to meet with city officials during his visit, although specific details remain unannounced.
Season Kickoff and Community Interest
The upcoming season has generated excitement among Blazers fans, exemplified by the recent Trail Blazers Fan Fest held on October 4, 2026, at the Moda Center. Yet, as fans prepare to watch the team host the Phoenix Suns, broader questions about the future and long-term home of the franchise remain to be decided.
The next steps depend on swift council action, finalizing representation for the Joint Authority, and navigating the complexities of state and local funding commitments. The discussions and decisions made in the coming weeks are set to shape not just the physical structure of the arena, but potentially the future of professional basketball in Portland.
Source: koin.com.
