[PHOTO TEASER FROM OREGONLIVE]

Randy Leonard has been the City Council's lone advocate for redeveloping Memorial Coliseum into a Triple-A home for the Portland Beavers.
 
The idea was first floated about a year ago.  After vocal opposition to that idea, and Mayor Sam Adams’ retreat from support of it, the Beavers got kicked to the curb.  Beaver owner Merritt Paulson and the city of Beaverton recently abandoned an attempt to move the team west.  Now, the new mayor of Vancouver is starting to talk about the homeless home team.

In the interim, the Trail Blazers have outlined a vision for the Rose Quarter that does not include baseball at all.  But with things moving so fast, is this a chance for Portland to score a rebound with the Beavers?
 
Leonard has recently been referred to as the de facto mayor of Portland by the Willamette Week. WW just released the second of a two-part expose on Leonard, one that calls into question some of Leonard’s methods but acknowledges that he is extraordinarily good at working a system that too often moves at glacial speed.
 
The Sentinel spoke with Leonard Wednesday to see if his position on the Coliseum has changed, and what his views are regarding the Rose Quarter.
 
Q. What are your initial thoughts on the Rose Quarter and Memorial Coliseum redevelopment?
 
A. “I’m not really sure what the redevelopment plan is at this point. I don’t know if anyone is. I supported a triple-A stadium going on the Coliseum site and the rest of the City Council did not, so we’re just sitting back waiting to see what comes out of the process the mayor initiated, and what the (Portland Trail) Blazers are willing to do.”

Q. There’s been so much discussion about the future of the Beavers and their new home. Do you anticipate future proposals on relocating the Portland Beavers to that area, or is it a dead issue?
 
A. “I would support it, but I’m afraid I’m the only one that would. I’d have to reach the unfortunate conclusion that it is probably a dead issue. The Coliseum has served its purpose and it’s served it well, but it needs millions of dollars in upgrades to make it a viable facility.  Doing that and trying to calculate how it would create income — versus taking it down and creating a brand new triple-A stadium with a view of downtown that would also be a venue for concerts and other activities — it seems to me there really is no comparison in where we ought to be investing our money. But the council heard from the architectural community, and I heard from them as well. I just didn’t agree with them and I said that.
 
“I didn’t think the Coliseum was an architectural gem. I still don’t. I think what would have been built in its place would have been a stunning venue for baseball and other activities. It would have been the spark the Rose Quarter needs to really take off.”
 
Q. What are your initial thoughts on the Blazers’ “JumpTown” vision?
 
A. “I’ve seen it. I’m hoping to get it beyond a concept and see dollars committed and dollars invested, and that’s really where I’ve been a little skeptical of it. I’m a person that likes to see things done, not just focusing on talking about doing it. It seems there has been a lot of discussion on what people think ought to happen, but less about committing real resources to make it happen. I’m a little skeptical.”
 
Q. At this point, are the main hurdles financial? Or is it more about public opinion?
 
A. “When we’re talking about leaving the Coliseum where it is, it comes down to financial. If it comes down to a decision to remove the Coliseum, then it’s political. It seems like that issue has been addressed.”
 
Q. It appears there are already steps being taken about building around the Rose Quarter, where we’ve seen a new apartment building being constructed. Has this been a concern in the plans for the area moving forward?
 
A. “It’s actually Central City Concern. It’s for people recovering from substance abuse and treatment. I don’t think it’s a concern of the neighborhood. It’s a concern of the Blazers. And I don’t think it’s a concern that has merit. These are people that are trying to improve their lives and are in the program to turn their lives around.
 
“I fully support it being there. I don’t think it’s at odds with what the Blazers want to do at all. I think they (Blazers) had some concerns, but we talked about it and I don’t think they had the concerns they used to.”