PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — Portland Mayor Keith Wilson has reaffirmed the Moda Center and Rose Quarter’s role as the city’s entertainment core as the Trail Blazers transition to new ownership. In an exclusive interview, Wilson emphasized that the arena should be reimagined rather than replaced.
“This address in our city has always been our entertainment center where everybody comes,” Wilson said. “I don’t know if we have to always think about adding or building something new when we have such a classic, important address in the city.”
Wilson described the Moda Center as Portland’s “living room,” a venue for championships, concerts, and community events. He advocated for renovations to transform it into a state-of-the-art facility.
With the Trail Blazers selling to new ownership, Wilson’s priority is to keep the team in Portland and enhance its role in the city’s economic revival. He expressed optimism after discussions with the incoming owner.
“He’s committed to keeping the Blazers here and to making them an even more braided part of our fabric,” Wilson said. “He wasn’t just talking about the bottom line. He was talking about community building, entertainment, and family. That’s what the Blazers have always been about.”
Wilson highlighted the Rose Quarter’s potential as a year-round hub, with the Trail Blazers and Portland Fire generating traffic, while the Memorial Coliseum undergoes its largest renovation since the 1960s.
“This isn’t just about a team,” Wilson said. “It’s about rebuilding this neighborhood, which will rebuild our community. If we do it together, we can envision Portland as something very special.”
The mayor also voiced support for the Portland Diamond Project, which aims to bring Major League Baseball to the city, viewing it as a growth catalyst.
“MLB is something I see as one more feather in that cap that just says Portland has arrived,” he said. “Portland is focused on growth, family, and becoming the entertainment capital of our nation.”
Looking ahead, Wilson acknowledged the process is in a “wait and see” stage as the NBA finalizes the Blazers’ sale, but he stressed the importance of unity among city, state, and federal leaders.
“We’re in it to win it,” Wilson said. “The Rose Quarter is central to our community, and we need to reimagine it together as the place where Portland comes to connect, celebrate, and grow.”