from KXL.com

Portland asked to submit MLB proposal

Major League Baseball expressed an interest in Portland last weekend during its winter meetings.

The Rose City is closer now to getting major league baseball than it ever has been before. Now, the city just needs to come up with $350 million before the MLB's February deadline.

Major League Baseball expressed an interest in Portland last weekend during its winter meetings. Now, the league has written the city and said, in short, that the city must submit a relocation proposal -- complete with stadium plans -- by February.

The price tag for a new ballpark is estimated at $350 million, half of which would come from the Legislature and the other half through local bonds, Tri-Met and the Portland Development Commission. Funding is expected to be a tough sell when high school sports are being cut in the Portland Public School district because of budget problems.

The city is competing against Washington, DC for the Expos.

[This message was edited by sherwood matt on Dec 19, 02 at 09:48 AM.]