Polling results released last week show Portland voters split on the question of whether the city should contribute at least $120 million in public subsidy to renovating Moda Center, a project widely understood as requisite to keeping the Trail Blazers in town. After hearing arguments for funding the arena overhaul, 44% of voters supported the idea, and 45% were opposed.
Much rests on what the City Council decides in the coming weeks. State lawmakers dedicated $365 million to the project, but that funding is contingent on the city and Multnomah County each approving their share. (County officials appear poised to spend $88 million.) New Blazers owner Tom Dundon has publicly rejected the notion that his franchise might chip in, and has done nothing to assuage fears he will go shopping for another city if Portland doesn’t meet his terms.
But the decision also could shape the political prospects of several city councilors. Six of them are on the ballot in November in Districts 3 and 4. As it happens, polling shows those are also the districts with the most deeply held views on Moda Center funding…