Portland Mayor Proposes New 3,000-Seat Venue at PSU, Smaller Keller
Portland's Mayor, Keith Wilson, has introduced a plan for a new 3,000-seat performing arts center at Portland State University as part of a broader initiative called the Performing Arts + Culture Center project. This proposal also includes looking into the possibility of updating the current Keller Auditorium into a smaller venue that can seat between 1,200 and 1,800 people. The City Life Committee will discuss this resolution on July 28 at 2 p.m. If they approve it, it will then go to the full City Council. While PSU Foundation President Sarah Schwarz highlights the $157.6 million already raised toward the estimated $650 million project, supporters of Keller, led by consultant Elise Haas, express concerns about the lack of a funding strategy. The resolution also sets a deadline for a Project Commitment Agreement with PSU by December 1, 2026, targeting a 2030 completion.
Key facts
- Mayor Keith Wilson released a resolution to build a new 3,000-seat city-owned venue at Portland State University.
- The resolution also calls for studying the feasibility of renovating Keller Auditorium into a smaller 1,200- to 1,800-seat venue.
- The City Council's City Life Committee will consider the resolution on July 28 at 2 p.m.
- Committee members include Chair Elana Pirtle-Guiney, Vice-Chair Eric Zimmerman, Candace Avalos, Angelita Morillo, and Dan Ryan.
- Keller supporters oppose the resolution, citing lack of funding plan and market study.
- PSU Foundation President Sarah Schwarz supports the resolution, noting $157.6 million raised for PSU's share.
- Total estimated cost for city and PSU is around $650 million.
- The new center would be at 310/330 S.W. Market St. and include academic space, smaller venues, hotel/conference facilities, and parking.
Entities
Institutions
- Portland State University
- Keller Auditorium
- City Council's City Life Committee
- Friends of the Keller
- PSU Foundation
- Oregon ArtsWatch
- City of Portland
- State of Oregon
- Portland State University Foundation
- Hunden Partners
- Save the Keller
- Portland's5 Centers for the Arts
- Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
- Antoinette Hatfield Hall
- Brunish Theater
- Newmark Theatre
- Winningstad Theatre
- Portland Opera
- Oregon Ballet Theatre
- Metro
- Multnomah County
- Bora Architecture & Interiors
Locations
- Portland
- Oregon
- 222 S.W. Clay St.
- 310/330 S.W. Market St.
- United States
- 310 S.W. Market St.
- 1037 S.W. Broadway
- Southwest Main Street
- Chicago
- Illinois