Adams gives Paulson a 'pass' to begin work at PGE Park

PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland Mayor Sam Adams gave the go-ahead Wednesday to begin initial efforts to prepare PGE Park for its role as a soccer stadium.
    
The city still hasn't come to a final financial agreement with Portland Beavers and Timbers owner Merritt Paulson, but Adams can still allow a permit for “non-construction work.”

PGE Park is slated to be the home for the Portland Timbers when they convert to a Major League Soccer team in 2011. Portland was awarded the MLS franchise in 2009.

The provisional construction permit would allow some work to be done on the stadium, as long as it could be easily undone if plans for the team fall through.

Paulson is still looking for a new home for the Beavers, Portland’s minor-league baseball team that currently plays in the facility.

The city has not indicated that a financial agreement with team owner Merritt Paulson has been reached.

In an interview with the mayor's press representative, he explained that the lack of a financial agreement means Paulson can't hold the city responsible for any costs associated with construction projects under the provision.