Another Step Closer!

The Portland Press Herald reported today that strides are being made to bring an NBA D-League team to Portland:

The City Council has offered a proposed NBA Development League team a lease to use the Portland Expo for the next five years, with an option for five more.

The city would basically break even on the rent, which would be $42,000 for the first year and would increase over time to keep pace with inflation. The team, however, would pay for $250,000 in building improvements and would be responsible for all the operating costs related to its games.

While this won't be a big money-maker, it still looks like a good deal for Portland.

Restaurants and other businesses in the Parkside neighborhood should benefit from having a wintertime counterpart to the Portland Sea Dogs for bringing in customers.

While this is not a done deal, it is a positive sign to see things progressing at a good pace. There will be a community meeting on April 1st at Hadlock Field beginning at 6pm and the City Council will meet on April 7th to vote on approving the lease.