Wright Gazaway
@WrightKATU
Investigative Reporter | Anchor | KATU | UGA Grad | wgazaway@KATU.com
Bluesky: @WrightKATU.bsky.social
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We had a little bit of time to chat with Mayor Keith Wilson this morning ahead of public testimony on a term sheet for Trail Blazers negotiations. Here is a 🧵on what he said... starting with what he wants to hear today.
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Amendments will need a second from another councilor and 7 votes to pass in order to change the draft term sheet. They will be formally introduced tomorrow.
The emails provide a rare behind-the-scenes look at negotiations over the roughly $600 million publicly funded Moda Center renovation. Here are the 7 questions the city wanted answered
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The emails came in June, after an exchange of letters in April and in-person negotiations with the team and city. The emails became public when the team's attorney forwarded them to the city, perhaps inadvertently. Team's statement is in the story.
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NEW: Internal emails obtained by KATU show Portland Trail Blazers leaders debated whether to respond to the City of Portland's questions on key pieces of a proposed Moda Center deal, with one executive saying the city's requests felt like "a trap."
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The term sheet vote on Aug. 12 is a first step. The Blazers and city still need to come to an agreement for there to be a final vote in December. I asked Council Pres. Jamie Dunphy how confident he is that will happen.
WATCH BELOW
Reporting here:
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My colleague @vasilivarlamos is previewing tomorrow's city meeting on Moda. Will Blazers attend? Councilor Mitch Green told him: "my understanding is we have an indication we should expect the Trailblazers to be there which is very encouraging to me."
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ICYMI: Comm. Brim-Edwards and Moyer -- who originally proposed dropping county investment in Moda by $35M -- proposed a new amendment Friday keeping the county's contribution intact by using all $88M from car rental taxes, instead of some tax $ from sale
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NEW: Here is the official letter sent from the city inviting the team to the city’s July 30 work session. Unclear if the team will respond or agree to show up. Dewayne Hankins — the recipient — has testified at council in the past, most notably in 2024 for the bridge lease.
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If you’re someone anxious to see this done, you likely wanted some finality today. This functionally doesn’t change anything. More important vote is 8/12 on a term sheet for the Blazers. This delay doesn’t impact that. @KATUNews
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One thing from Mayor: we lose support of NBA if funding amount drops and jeopardizes the deal. Looking increasingly possible a vote on the county's resolution doesn't happen today.
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Sen. Kate Lieber confirmed something that's been said in private. The NBA told state, Mayor, and county chair that if those 3 approved renovation funding around $600M, it would encourage the incoming owner to sit down and negotiate. WATCH HERE
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