research began twelve years ago this week! and there’s a hint of what’s next if you pay close attention.

copy edits are in, I’m working on it wall-to-wall this weekend so we can get it out in the world in April

Memorial Coliseum. Jan 4, 2026.

deduced the existence of a city attorney opinion that changed the course of Memorial Coliseum’s location trajectory. asked city attorney’s office for it and they denied it existed. only on second asking did they admit it exists and then shared it. pretty sure no one’s seen it since issued in 1955.

What a wonderful moment tonight. The City of Portland hosted a celebration commemorating Memorial Coliseum's restoration. We first began fighting demolition plans in 2009, and spent 15 years campaigning for this SOM-designed midcentury modern gem to be restored. So grateful to reach this moment.

nine months ago as we started editing my book on Memorial Coliseum. it’ll be out four months from now…

happy Thanksgiving! the Coliseum on Wednesday November 26, 2025

Building Portland’s Memorial Coliseum: a Mid-Century Political Firestorm will be published by @arcadiapublishing.bsky.social April 14, 2026! Can’t wait to have this out in the world. I’ve been working on it since January 2014!

it’s official, Building Portland’s Memorial Coliseum: a Mid-Century Political Firestorm is in the production schedule at @arcadiapublishing.bsky.social! don’t have a specific date yet but expecting spring 2026. stay tuned

ten years ago today, October 16, 2015

Seventy (70) years ago today Portland’s Exposition-Recreation Commission selected Delta Park as the site for what we now know as Memorial Coliseum. My book on the site selection process will be out in the spring. Until then, here’s a primer I wrote back in 2017. mikeaorr.medium.com/portland-mem...

never know what you’ll find at an archive this is from a city councilman’s house party in 1953

always more to find

In October 1955, three of these men prevented Memorial Coliseum from being constructed at Delta Park: Councilmen Nate Boody (second left), Bill Bowes (second right), and Stanley Earl (right).

when the word ‘only’ cost Portlanders a year and a location west of the Willamette River

(January 30, 2025)

Help Put Portland Ahead! via Portland City Archive, 1954 AD/22455

Oregon Journal and Oregonian July 16, 1953. The first mention of an arena complex at the bridge site. Sneaky release of a plan by Councilman Nate Boody