Ah, yes -- the "Paris of the West" as one great former Oregon Supreme Court Justice called it.

South Carolina might be a good option.

Memorial Coliseum - Strike 1
Lents - Strike 2
Beaverton - Strike 3

If he's still at the plate, then one of those must have been called a "ball". Which wouldn't be a surprise, given the umping in the WS thus far...

Anywho, Clackamas is next, right? With no light rail, I'm assuming Vancouver's a non-starter...?

If they NOW go for shared use of PGE Park could we get an accounting of the costs to the City of Portland for having explored the other options? Would that cost be precisely the same if Mr. Paulson fell off the edge of Earth today?

Boy, didn't take long after the announcement that a majority of Beaverton council members supported letting the public have a crack at the plan to see the Barefoot Lord tippy toe towards the door. A lesson for everyone in that methinks . . .

Hold onto your shorts,Randy and Pedo Sam need a comeback. Oh! all the construction jobs to be had at the Colosseum/ Rosequarter. Here comes the real circus. Give it to the Tribes and Paul Allen. Let gambling pay for it.It beats propping up a bunch of rundown tavers and video poker shops. Go by streetcar

Next up to the plate, Clackamas County, then Clark, then Yamhill, then Marion...good luck! hahahaha

One lesson that will hopefully be learned from all of this is that PGE Park, due to its inherent design and space limitations, is only suitable for events drawing no more than 50% of its listed capacity. So, minor league baseball will continue to work there just fine, but MLS matches expected to draw crowds at or near capacity will never work, even with the renovations being planned. So, leave the Beavers in PGE Park, and build a brand new, soccer-specific stadium that can meet Major League Soccer standards for restrooms, seating, and food concession stands, at some other location, like Cascade Station.

Hillsboro, anyone? Trick or treat.

I agree with Peter:
Build a soccer-specific stadium at some other location like Cascade Station. Oh, and with PRIVATE money, not taxpayer money.

Poor LLP....looser-ville; population 1; Henry III.
What will he tell his papa?

Turns out the apple DOES fall FAR from the tree!

So, leave the Beavers in PGE Park, and build a brand new, soccer-specific stadium that can meet Major League Soccer standards for restrooms, seating, and food concession stands, at some other location, like Cascade Station.

Absolutely. But let Paulson pay for it. No taxpayer money.

Sell the Beavers....Its clear the market for them is weak at best. Open it up to the highest bidder.

He's "pursuing other options"? Is that like when an incompetent CEOs leave "to pursue other opportunities" in lieu of serious jail time?

He's just playing hard to get.

Boardman's looking better and better.

I'm a little worried that the only remotely attainable "other opportunity" for Merritt may be back in Portland.

Why can't Hillsboro Stadium, with additional seating, work for soccer matches? Might be a bit shy on parking, but could always run shuttles from the nearest Max station. Oh, wait - that might make sense, but not cents.

Is Don Mazziotti is out of a job, or was there some legitimate reason that Beaverton hired him other than to shepherd the stadium deal through?

Mayor Doyle will have to look for some other boongdoggle to play big shot developer with the public's money.

Memorial Coliseum - Strike 1
Lents - Strike 2
Beaverton - Strike 3

Beaverton is a foul tip.

So the little lord is pulling up stakes because Beaverton isn't moving fast enough. He can't seriously believe that ANY deal can be made and ANY stadium built or made ready for play by 2011.

It's ludicrous.

Three years ago this month:

"Ballpark plans strike out, but some hold hope
Financier Paulson says Petaluma still ‘fabulous location’ for baseball; city officials express hope for future team somewhere nearby...

“I feel as strongly today as I ever have that Petaluma is a fabulous location for minor league baseball,” said Merritt Paulson..."

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20061011/COMMUNITY/610119973?Title=Ballpark-plans-strike-out-but-some-hold-hope

Merritt is going from one town to the next, reading the same script.

Maybe LLP can try to swindle Salem or wait, if he's trying that Beavers connection, there's always Corvallis. Go South con man.

[Mayor Doyle said] I believe that we're poised to take the next steps in the effort to create a healthy, sustainable long-term economic base for our city."

There are two possible meanings for this tidbit:

(1) A baseball stadium is part of a healthy, sustainable, long-term economic base.

(2) A baseball stadium is not part of a healthy sustainable, long-term economic base.

Consider that for a moment.

If #1 is true, the Mayor might be even dumber than people imagine.

If #2 is true, then it means that a baseball stadium isn't healthy, or sustainable, or a long-term economic benefit--and so the deal the Mayor's been trying to make is nonsensical.