In 2010, the City of Portland agreed to use $12 million of public money to help fund a $31 million renovation project that would turn then-PGE Park into a soccer specific stadium and pave the way for Major League Soccer to come to Portland.
The decision to use public money for the renovations was met with mixed emotions at the time, but it appears that the City made a smart financial move by funding the stadium.
According to The Willamette Week, the City has brought in more and more revenue each year through their agreement with the Portland Timbers and owner Merritt Paulson.