County Evaluated Moda Center Renovation Agreement
The proposed partnership outlines a seven-member authority to oversee the $365 million arena project.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Home Renovation
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Multnomah County commissioners have begun reviewing a Joint Authority Agreement to manage the $365 million renovation of the Moda Center. The compact establishes a new seven-member governing body to oversee construction and project funds.
Why it matters
Finalizing this intergovernmental agreement is a prerequisite for moving the arena renovation forward. The board must determine how roles and responsibilities are shared between the city, county, and state to ensure proper stewardship of public funds.
The proposed authority consists of $365 million in total project funding and a seven-member panel, including three city representatives, three state representatives, and one county representative. The exact schedule for finalizing these appointments remains unknown.
The players
Multnomah County Board of Commissioners
The local governing body responsible for county health, safety, and services.
Portland City Council
The legislative body for the City of Portland.
The details
The Joint Authority Agreement creates a formal partnership to handle project plans, contracts, and lease compliance for the Moda Center. While the authority manages the renovation, Multnomah County notes that it does not own the arena. The board of commissioners is reviewing the structural setup before the Portland City Council holds its own discussion on the pact in mid-October.
Timeline
October 1, 2026: Multnomah County commissioners discuss the agreement.
Mid-October 2026: Portland City Council discusses the agreement.
Beyond the Bridges
This agreement follows a long-standing regional trend of using Joint Authority Agreements to coordinate roles across multiple levels of government for major capital improvements. It mirrors the intergovernmental compacts previously utilized for large-scale development projects within the Portland metro area.
While the renovation is centered at the Moda Center, the agreement dictates how public resources are managed for the city's largest arena. Residents should watch for upcoming council meeting agendas in mid-October to see how these governance plans affect local oversight of the project.
The takeaway
The county's review marks the beginning of a formal oversight process for the $365 million arena renovation. Portlanders should monitor the Portland City Council meeting calendar for the mid-October discussion to see how the partnership moves forward.
What happens next
The Portland City Council is scheduled to discuss the joint authority agreement in mid-October 2026.
Further reading
For more background on major city construction projects, see Home Renovation.
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Do you support using public tax dollars to fund renovations for professional sports arenas?
