One of the core strengths of the Trail Blazers/Winterhawks approach is its reverence for the architectural character of Memorial Coliseum and for community uses of the building — including the Rose Festival, OSAA competitions, and graduations. The concept ensures a long-term future for the Grand Floral Parade at Memorial Coliseum.

“We appreciate that Trail Blazers have put forth a concept for the Memorial Coliseum that accommodates one of the world’s great community events,” said Jeff Curtis, Executive Director of the Rose Festival Foundation. “The original design of the Memorial Coliseum specifically accommodated the iconic Grand Floral Parade, a key architectural and community feature that would be lost with a radical intervention of the building’s interior bowl.”

The original Skidmore, Owings and Merrill design for the Memorial Coliseum placed large doors at either end of the facility to accommodate Rose Festival Parade floats.

“We are honored to earn the Rose Festival Foundation’s support for our concept, and will continue to lead by listening,” Trail Blazers President Larry Miller said. “A common theme throughout our community outreach is the expectation that our vision for the Rose Quarter protects existing community uses like the Grand Floral Parade.”

The Trail Blazer and Winterhawks concept for Memorial Coliseum includes:

• A new community athletic center — open for patrons of all income levels — at the event level of the Memorial Coliseum.

• A designated meeting space for veterans, as originally promised during construction.

• Daily-use restaurants to increase the building’s activity and draw.

• Preservation of the building’s architectural character, value and history as a veterans’ memorial and multi-purpose sports arena.

• A revitalized arena bowl with new amenities and a reduced seating capacity to match promoter demand, attract new events and ensure a bright future for the Winterhawks, Rose Festival, graduations and other current community uses.

Portlanders interested in hearing more about the Trail Blazers/Winterhawks concept are encouraged to attend a public forum sponsored by the Rose Quarter Stakeholder Advisory Committee tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. at Memorial Coliseum. To attend the free event, you must register and print your admission ticket at roserqdev.org.