If the Portland Diamond Project’s ballpark proposal ever grows from a dream into reality, it could draw upwards of 3 million people into the city’s South Waterfront district each summer.
That proposition has understandably raised questions about how such a project would be received by its neighbors, the most notable of which would be Oregon Health & Science University.
Numerous buildings adjacent to the proposed ballpark site at Zidell Yards are owned by OHSU, including the 16-floor Center for Health & Healing and the Knight Cancer Research Building.
The lower terminal of the Portland Aerial Tram, which connects the waterfront to OHSU’s main campus, is located along the southern boundary of the Zidell Yards property along South Moody Avenue. The tram transports nearly 9,000 people per day during the week, according to a City of Portland estimate.
The Portland Diamond Project signed a purchase agreement on Zidell Yards earlier this year. The group’s founder, Craig Cheek, revealed renderings of the proposed ballpark in front of legislative committee on Monday in Salem, igniting questions about the project’s impact on OHSU services and medical patients.
In a statement, spokesperson Sara Hottman said, “OHSU is eager to see the South Waterfront transportation network completed in order to ensure our patients can access their appointments.
“We are hopeful that the baseball stadium project could be the impetus for completing this much-needed infrastructure, and that adverse neighborhood impacts such as traffic, noise and safety are mitigated.”
Earlier this week, Cheek told The Oregonian/OregonLive he was actively engaging with OHSU about how his group could be “good neighbors” with the hospital.
The ballpark project has a long way to go before coming to fruition. Cheek appeared in front of the House Committee on Economic Development, Small Business and Trade to lay the groundwork for a financing request of up to $900 million.
That request is seen as vital to the proposal’s chances, which would still be in the hands of MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and the league’s owners.
Manfred has stated that he wants to announce a process for expansion before the end of his term in 2029.
Zidell Yards is at least the fifth site identified by the Diamond Project since 2017. Past proposals at Terminals 1 and 2 at the Port of Portland, the Portland Public Schools headquarters, Lloyd Center and RedTail Golf Center have all failed to gain traction.
However, in addition to the agreement to purchase the property, Cheek has found alignment within city government and the business community, leading to optimism that Portland could make a serious run at landing an MLB team.
Cities including Salt Lake City, Nashville and Montreal are also vying for expansion.
— Bill Oram is the sports columnist at The Oregonian/OregonLive.
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