Logo - We Are RIP City

The Rose Quarter
Portland, Oregon

Logo - We Are RIP City

The Rose Quarter
Portland, Oregon

Logo - We Are RIP City

The Rose Quarter
Portland, Oregon

Logo - We Are RIP City

The Rose Quarter
Portland, Oregon

Let’s Renovate the Moda Center Now

Moda Center Portland OR

Our House. Our Teams. Our City. Our Future.

Portland owns the Moda Center, and if we don’t invest in it now, we put its future—and everything it brings to our city—at risk. Major concerts and world‑class events are already skipping Portland because the arena is outdated and can’t compete. This year, we have a once‑in‑a‑generation chance to keep our teams, bring back major concerts, strengthen local businesses, and finally invest in the Rose Quarter and Lower Albina.

The State of Oregon, Portland City Council, and Multnomah County Commission have all taken major steps forward this year. The momentum is real, but the work is far from over. If we want to keep our teams, bring back major events, and protect the jobs and businesses that depend on a thriving Moda Center, now is the time to stay engaged and make our voices heard.

Formal negotiations are now underway. The City Council will need to vote on and approve a final lease agreement by the end of the year. The County Commission will also need to vote on and approve the details for their funding package. All of that needs to be completed by the end of 2026 to unlock the state’s $365 million and to keep the project on track for a summer 2027 construction start.

basketball photo

Who We Are

We Are Rip City is a coalition lifting up the voices of Portlanders who want to seize this moment to transform the Moda Center, revitalize the surrounding neighborhoods, and help our central city thrive.

Jim Etzel

Jim Etzel

A Portland native, Etzel has nearly 40 years of diverse leadership experience in sports, live events, marketing, brand experiences and management. Etzel has indelibly changed the dynamic and scope of Sport Oregon’s work, stewarding a new era of success and influence for the state’s leading sports advocate while positioning it as a critical catalyst for economic growth. Etzel and the organization have instilled a dynamic, ambitious and nimble approach to attracting broad-based events to Oregon, promoting community-wide involvement and working tirelessly to harness the power of sport for the state’s overall benefit and enhanced quality of life.

Karis Stoudamire-Phillips

Karis Stoudamire-Phillips

Karis, a native of Portland, is the Vice President of DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) and Community Initiatives at Moda Health and Delta Dental of Oregon. Her focus areas are to one, develop, direct and implement the community engagement strategy and action plan throughout Oregon and Alaska; and two, to increase diversity, equity and inclusion in the workforce and corporate culture, plus coordinate efforts to ensure product offerings across all businesses meet the needs of a diverse customer population. With her extensive background in public affairs, marketing and non-profit management, Karis currently serves as Chair of the Multnomah Exposition Recreation Commissioner (MERC), Oregon Community Foundation Board, Children’s Cancer Association Ambassador Board, De La Salle North Catholic High School Board, Williams & Russell CDC Board, Portland Rose Festival Foundation Board of Directors, St. Mary’s Academy Board and is also active in several other civic organizations.

Victoria Lara

Victoria Lara

Victoria Lara, a seasoned CEO and founder of Lara Media Services, brings over 25 years of expertise in consulting, marketing, and research with a specialized focus on the Latino market. As the leader of the only Latino woman-owned media agency in the Pacific Northwest, Victoria has been instrumental in driving marketing innovations and implementing impactful strategies across television, online, outdoor, direct marketing, and print channels. She serves on the boards of the Portland Business Alliance, the International Women’s Forum of Oregon, The Nature Conservancy of Oregon, and Moypa.

Mike Thelin

Mike Thelin

Mike Thelin is a strategist and producer whose work lives at the intersection of economic development, placebased marketing, positioning strategy, strategic partnerships, and cultural storytelling. A recognized authority in food and culture, Mike co-founded Feast Portland, one of the nation’s most influential food festivals, as well as Hot Luck in Austin, Texas, which was acquired by Food & Wine in 2026. He currently leads Food Forward Oregon, a statewide coalition and set of projects designed to unite leaders across agriculture, food, beverage, culinary, hospitality, tourism, and economic development to elevate Oregon’s global reputation.

In the News