Editing Moda Center (section)

==History==
In the early 1980s, as the National Basketball Association increased in popularity, it became apparent that the 12,888-seat Memorial Coliseum, which was the home of the Portland Trail Blazers at the time, was no longer an adequate NBA facility. The Trail Blazers had sold out every home game since April 5, 1977.<ref>{{cite news|title=Paul Allen's Tenure with the Trail Blazers |url=http://www.portlandtribune.net/news/story.php?story_id=34121 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103013215/http://www.portlandtribune.net/news/story.php?story_id=34121 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 3, 2007 |newspaper=[[Portland Tribune]] |date=February 28, 2006 |access-date=April 24, 2013 }}</ref> In 1988, the team was purchased by Paul Allen and made appearances in the [[NBA Finals]] in [[1990 NBA Finals|1990]] and [[1992 NBA Finals|1992]]. Allen soon expressed a desire to build a new arena for his team, and in 1991 chartered the '''Oregon Arena Corporation''', a private corporation with Allen as the sole shareholder, to build and operate a new facility.<ref name="funding">{{cite web|url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Portland-Trail-Blazers-Company-History.html|title=Company History: Portland Trail Blazers|publisher=Funding Universe|year=2003|access-date=October 24, 2007|archive-date=September 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916220945/http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Portland-Trail-Blazers-Company-History.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The team soon made an agreement with the City of Portland to build a new multi-purpose arena on the Coliseum's parking lot.<ref>{{cite news|title=City Approves Blazers' Arena|author=Jeff Baker|newspaper=[[The Oregonian]]|location=Portland|date=June 24, 1993}}</ref>

A major factor in the choice of the site for the new arena was its close proximity to transit, with [[MAX Light Rail]] and bus service at TriMet's Coliseum Transit Center (later renamed [[Rose Quarter Transit Center]]) being adjacent to the site. In July 1995, the ''Portland Business Journal'' quoted the Trail Blazers' then-president Marshall Glickman as saying, "There is no doubt that transit made it possible for us to build here. The thing that burns everyone in terms of financing big projects like this is parking. The fact that we have a [light rail] stop outside our front door, and the potential for what we'll get with the south/north line made this the only place for us to build."<ref name="PBJ-1995jul21">{{cite news|last=Law|first=Steve|title=Developers aiming to ride the rails|work=[[Portland Business Journal]]|date=July 21, 1995|pages=1, 32, 33}}</ref> (The "south/north" MAX line referred to was a [[MAX Orange Line#History|then-planned line]] from [[Clackamas Town Center]] to [[Vancouver, Washington|Vancouver]] via [[downtown Portland]], which was canceled in 1996, but partially revived several years later, with the [[MAX Yellow Line]] connecting Moda Center with areas to the north.)

===Financing===
[[File:RoseGardenArenaPortland.jpg|thumb|An exterior shot of the arena]]
The financing of the construction of the facility was widely hailed at the time as a good example of public-private partnership; most of the costs were borne by Allen and/or Allen-owned companies, rather than by taxpayers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Private Backers Pungle up $227.3 Million for Arena|author=Steve Brandon|newspaper=[[The Oregonian]]|location=Portland|date=June 25, 1993}}</ref> The bulk of the $262&nbsp;million<ref name="funding"/> construction costs were funded by a $155&nbsp;million loan from a consortium of lenders led by pension fund [[TIAA-CREF]]. As Allen was unwilling to guarantee the loan with his personal finances, the lenders demanded an interest rate of 8.99%, with no opportunity for prepayment.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rose Garden Woes May Wilt Arena Financings|url=http://seattle.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2004/03/15/tidbits1.html|newspaper=[[American City Business Journals|Puget Sound Business Journal]]|date=March 12, 2004|access-date=October 24, 2007|archive-date=August 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110804221945/http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2004/03/15/tidbits1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Other major creditors included [[Prudential Insurance]], and [[Farmers Insurance]].<ref name="strategy">{{cite news|title=Bankruptcy as a Business Strategy|first=Helen|last=Jung|url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/playbooksandprofits/2007/02/bankruptcy_as_a_business_strat.html|newspaper=[[The Oregonian]]|location=Portland|date=February 5, 2007|access-date=October 24, 2007|archive-date=October 31, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031224025/http://blog.oregonlive.com/playbooksandprofits/2007/02/bankruptcy_as_a_business_strat.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The remainder of funds came from the City of Portland ($34.5&nbsp;million), Allen himself ($46&nbsp;million), with the final $10&nbsp;million coming from a [[Municipal bond|bond]] backed by box office and parking revenues.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://basketball.ballparks.com/NBA/PortlandTrailBlazers/index.htm|title=The Rose Garden|publisher=Ballparks.com|access-date=October 24, 2007|archive-date=August 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807174432/http://basketball.ballparks.com/NBA/PortlandTrailBlazers/index.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition, the City transferred to Allen the underlying land. The city maintains ownership of the Memorial Coliseum and the adjacent parking garages, but the right to manage these was also transferred to Allen. In exchange, Allen signed an exclusive site agreement with the city requiring the Trail Blazers to play all home games in Portland for 30 years<ref name="esa">{{cite news |last=Eggers |first=Kerry |date=April 18, 2006 |title=Allen Won't Rule Out Bankruptcy |url=http://thetribonline.com/sports/story.php?story_id=34723 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124132456/http://thetribonline.com/sports/story.php?story_id=34723 |archive-date=January 24, 2022 |access-date=April 24, 2013 |newspaper=[[Portland Tribune]]}}</ref> The City of Portland hoped that the building of the arena would lead to other renovation or development in the Rose Quarter district, but as of 2021 this has yet to materialize.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Ghost Quarter|first=Todd|last=Murphy|url=http://thetribonline.com/news/story.php?story_id=116587988539328200|newspaper=[[Portland Tribune]]|date=December 5, 2006|access-date=April 24, 2013}}{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===Construction and opening===
Ground on the arena was broken in 1993, and the arena opened on October 12, 1995.<ref>{{cite news |title=How We Play: Pro Sports Scene Blooms at Rose Garden|first=Brian T.|last=Smith|url=http://www.columbian.com/news/portrait/news/02252007news108965.cfm|newspaper=[[The Columbian]]|location=Vancouver, WA|date=February 25, 2007|access-date=October 25, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102215054/http://www.columbian.com/news/portrait/news/02252007news108965.cfm|archive-date=November 2, 2007}}</ref> The project included the largest construction and demolition recycling program in the U.S. up to that time, in which {{convert|32700 |t}} of [[construction waste]] and {{convert|308400|t}} of dirt were recycled, saving OAC over [[United States dollar|$]]127,000. This effort later won the project an environmental award from the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.p2pays.org/ref/26/25329.pdf|title=Construction recycling curbs arena project costs|year=1994|publisher=City of Portland, Oregon|access-date=October 30, 2007|archive-date=July 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717085001/http://www.p2pays.org/ref/26/25329.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

The first concert held in the arena was held two weeks after opening, when [[David Bowie]] performed on October 25, with [[Nine Inch Nails]] opening.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bowiewonderworld.com/tours/tour95.htm|title=1995–1996: The Outside World Tour|publisher=Bowiewonderworld.com|access-date=October 24, 2007|archive-date=July 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726154114/http://www.bowiewonderworld.com/tours/tour95.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The first regular-season game to be played at the facility was the Trail Blazers hosting the then-[[Memphis Grizzlies|Vancouver Grizzlies]] on November 3, 1995, a 92–80 defeat for the home team.<ref name="funding"/> The arena was originally capable of seating 20,340&nbsp;spectators for NBA basketball. Its capacity has since been reduced to 19,393 by subsequent modifications. At the time of its construction, the arena was a state-of-the-art facility. Although more recent NBA arenas have surpassed Moda Center in amenities, it still is well regarded as a facility.<ref name="roadtrip"/> A 2005 survey by ''[[USA Today]]'' ranked the facility in the middle of the pack among the 29 NBA arenas; factors unrelated to the venue itself (such as ticket prices and entertainment offerings) are considered in the rankings.<ref>{{cite news|title=NBA arenas: Fantastic or not?|first=Greg|last=Boeck|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2005-04-12-arenas-cover_x.htm|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=April 12, 2005|access-date=October 24, 2007|archive-date=August 17, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070817093352/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2005-04-12-arenas-cover_x.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Soon after the arena opened, it was the subject of several lawsuits seeking to enforce the [[Americans with Disabilities Act]]. One lawsuit (''United States v. Ellerbe Becket, Inc.'') was filed by the [[United States Department of Justice]] against architect Ellerbe-Becket; another (''Independent Living Resources v. Oregon Arena Corporation'') was filed by a disabled advocacy group against OAC. Both lawsuits alleged that Moda Center (and other facilities designed by Ellerbe Becket) did not provide adequate seating for patrons using wheelchairs, and that the line-of-sight of patrons in wheelchairs was frequently obstructed by standing spectators.<ref name="doj">{{cite news|title=Enforcing the ADA: A Status Report from the Department of Justice|url=http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/octdec96.htm|year=1996|publisher=United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division|access-date=October 26, 2007|archive-date=November 16, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071116170103/http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/octdec96.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The first case was settled with a [[consent decree]], wherein Ellerbe Becket agreed to design future projects in compliance with the ADA;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/ellerbe.htm|title=Consent Order in re United States vs Ellerbe Becket Inc|year=1997|publisher=United States District Court, District of Minnesota|author=Judge Tunheim|access-date=October 26, 2007|archive-date=November 16, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071116180505/http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/ellerbe.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> the lawsuit against Oregon Arena Corp was resolved in 1998 when OAC agreed to install over one hundred elevated seats permitting wheelchair-using patrons to see over standing spectators in front.<ref>{{cite news|title=Score One for the Disabled|first=Tom|last=Farrey|url=http://www.businessweek.com/1998/48/b3606136.htm|work=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]]|date=November 19, 1998|access-date=October 26, 2007|archive-date=May 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523013632/http://www.businessweek.com/1998/48/b3606136.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Oregon Arena Corporation bankruptcy===
{{main|Rose Garden arena bankruptcy}}
Claiming the local economy was responsible for reduced revenues which made it unable to make payments on the loans used to finance construction, the Oregon Arena Corporation filed for bankruptcy on February 27, 2004. After negotiations concurrent with the bankruptcy failed to produce a settlement, the [[United States Bankruptcy Court]] ordered on November 8 of that year that the Oregon Arena Corporation transfer the facility to the creditors.<ref name="emo">{{cite news|title=Global Spectrum Takes Over the Rose Garden |first=Matt |last=Cunningham |url=http://www.entertainmentmanagementonline.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/11/18/419ad9bfeee63 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110818043204/http://www.entertainmentmanagementonline.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/11/18/419ad9bfeee63 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 18, 2011 |work=Entertainment Management Online |date=November 10, 2004 |access-date=October 24, 2007 }}</ref> A new corporation owned by the creditors, '''Portland Arena Management''' (PAM) took over operation of the arena.<ref name="new_owner">{{cite news|title=Paul Allen's Rose Garden: Under New Ownership|first=Todd|last=Murphy|url=http://thetribonline.com/news/story.php?story_id=27773|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230222035/http://thetribonline.com/news/story.php?story_id=27773|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 30, 2021|newspaper=[[Portland Tribune]]|date=January 4, 2005|access-date=April 24, 2013}}</ref> PAM in turn hired Global Spectrum to operate the arena. For several years, the Trail Blazers (still owned by Allen) and the Portland Arena Management had a highly hostile relationship,<ref>{{cite news|title=Portland Arena Management vs Blazers Owner Paul Allen|first=Brian|last=Berger|url=http://www.sportsbusinessradio.com/?q=node/695|work=Sports Business Radio|date=January 13, 2007|access-date=October 24, 2007|archive-date=November 3, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103011952/http://www.sportsbusinessradio.com/?q=node%2F695|url-status=live}}</ref> with the two entities competing for ticket sales.<ref name="buyback">{{cite news|title=Allen: I'll Buy Back Arena for Right Sum|first=Kerry|last=Eggers|url=http://thetribonline.com/news/story.php?story_id=32764|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619142126/http://thetribonline.com/news/story.php?story_id=32764|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 19, 2022|newspaper=[[Portland Tribune]]|date=November 22, 2005|access-date=April 24, 2013}}</ref>

The team made numerous complaints about a "broken economic model",<ref name="nw">{{cite news |title=The Not-So-Great Northwest|first=Loren|last=Jorgenson|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20060226/ai_n16188451|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103203839/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20060226/ai_n16188451|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 3, 2007|newspaper=[[Deseret News]]|location=Salt Lake City|date=October 24, 2007}}</ref> and there was much speculation that the Trail Blazers might leave.<ref>{{cite news|title=Allen's Trail Blazers Seek Help to Stay in Portland |first=Hal |last=Bernton |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002827693_trailblazers25m.html |newspaper=[[The Seattle Times]] |date=February 25, 2006 |access-date=October 25, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103005621/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002827693_trailblazers25m.html |archive-date=November 3, 2007 }}</ref> The team was put up for sale in the summer of 2006,<ref>{{cite news|title=It's Official: Blazers and Rose Garden Are For Sale|first=Helen|last=Jung|url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/playbooksandprofits/2006/06/its_official_blazers_and_rose.html|newspaper=[[The Oregonian]]|location=Portland|date=June 7, 2006|access-date=October 24, 2007|archive-date=September 30, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930161637/http://blog.oregonlive.com/playbooksandprofits/2006/06/its_official_blazers_and_rose.html|url-status=live}}</ref> only to be taken off the market again several months later.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rose Garden Statement on No Sale of Blazers|first=Helen|last=Jung|url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/playbooksandprofits/2006/08/rose_garden_statement_on_no_sa.html|newspaper=[[The Oregonian]]|location=Portland|date=August 3, 2006|access-date=October 24, 2007|archive-date=September 30, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930161645/http://blog.oregonlive.com/playbooksandprofits/2006/08/rose_garden_statement_on_no_sa.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Speculation intensified as to what would happen,<ref name="turns">{{cite news|title=Blazers Owner Foresees a "Few Turns in the Road"|first=Chris|last=Sheridan|author-link=Chris Sheridan (sportswriter)|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&id=2666051|work=[[ESPN]]|date=November 17, 2006|access-date=October 25, 2007|archive-date=December 31, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061231220052/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&id=2666051|url-status=live}}</ref> and the team and Paul Allen were roundly criticized in the media.<ref name="strategy"/><ref name="turns"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Bankruptcy and the Billionaire|first=Jack|last=Bogdanski|url=http://bojack.org/2004/02/bankruptcy_and_the_billionaire.html|date=February 29, 2004|work=Jack Bog's Blog|access-date=October 25, 2007|archive-date=November 3, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103005754/http://bojack.org/2004/02/bankruptcy_and_the_billionaire.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=State of Blazers is Their Own Fault|first=Dwight|last=Jaynes|url=http://thetribonline.com/sports/story.php?story_id=34144|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124124845/http://thetribonline.com/sports/story.php?story_id=34144|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 24, 2022|newspaper=[[Portland Tribune]]|date=March 3, 2006|access-date=April 24, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Broken Financial Model|first=Helen|last=Jung|url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/playbooksandprofits/2006/07/broken_economic_model.html|newspaper=[[The Oregonian]]|location=Portland|date=June 24, 2006|access-date=October 24, 2007|archive-date=October 16, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016193059/http://blog.oregonlive.com/playbooksandprofits/2006/07/broken_economic_model.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the criticism and the team's poor finances the team insisted that bankruptcy was the right move.<ref name="pa_interview">{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/A_Conversation_With_Paul_Allen-171563-41.html|title=A Conversation with Paul Allen|publisher=National Basketball Association|date=March 11, 2006|access-date=October 24, 2007|archive-date=July 11, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070711133216/http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/A_Conversation_With_Paul_Allen-171563-41.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Early in 2007, Allen and the creditors reached an agreement for Allen to repurchase the arena, and the team and the building were united under common ownership once more.<ref name="donedeal">{{cite news|title=Rose Garden Deal Done|first=Helen|last=Jung|url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/playbooksandprofits/2007/04/rose_garden_deal_done.html|newspaper=[[The Oregonian]]|location=Portland|date=April 2, 2007|access-date=April 2, 2007|archive-date=August 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811224634/http://blog.oregonlive.com/playbooksandprofits/2007/04/rose_garden_deal_done.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After much speculation that Allen would hire [[Anschutz Entertainment Group]] (AEG) to replace Global Spectrum, arena management elected to extend Global Spectrum's management contract by one year in the summer of 2007.<ref name="extension">{{cite news |last=Hunsberger |first=Brent |date=August 30, 2007 |title=Blazers Give 1-Year Extension to Rose Garden Manager |url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/playbooksandprofits/2007/08/blazers_renew_arena_contract_w.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930161556/http://blog.oregonlive.com/playbooksandprofits/2007/08/blazers_renew_arena_contract_w.html |archive-date=September 30, 2011 |access-date=October 23, 2007 |newspaper=[[The Oregonian]] |location=Portland}}</ref> In September 2007, Global Spectrum announced that the arena would undergo [[United States dollar|$]]13 million in renovations.<ref name="facelift"/>