Keller Auditorium Replacement or Refurbishment | Proposed

[eric cantona]

Originally Posted by downtownpdx

I really hope the city goes with a Keller revamp. Abandoning this historic location across from the fountain would be a mistake and suck the life out of the neighborhood. A nice revamp of this mid century auditorium is a much better move IMHO.

The Keller opened in 1917 and was remodeled in the late sixties. It is definitely NOT an architectural masterpiece. It needs significant upgrades to remain viable for touring groups and artists to perform there. It also needs extensive seismic upgrades. To truly bring it up to current theatrical needs the City would have to abandon 2nd Ave to allow the theater to expand east.

While I agree that demolishing it would have an outsized affect on Forecourt Fountain and the Halprin Sequence, I don't believe that it is reasonable to do all the work to make it function in the modern era. I think the PSU project should move forward then, when completed, find another use for the Keller. Maybe a museum? The Historical Society used to operate out of the building.

[maccoinnich]

I would have expected to find myself in favor of a renovation, given that I'm quite fond of the existing building and love the fountain. And yet, the more I think about it, the more I prefer the PSU proposal.

The Keller Reimagined proposal is more-or-less a complete rebuild of the building, from the facade to the stage to the raked seating. Nothing that's visible today would remain.

If we were looking for a new site for a Broadway-capable theatre, and the Keller didn't already exist, that site would never be seriously considered. The Portland 200' x 200' block just isn't big enough. To deal with that, the Keller Reimagined proposal further narrows SW 2nd Ave and extends the building over SW 3rd—and still doesn't provide the same capacity and improvements to the back-of-house (especially loading) that the PSU proposal does. The sheer size of the PSU site allows for a venue that's purpose designed for the need, while also building a smaller theater run by PSU and a hotel, should a hotel developer bite.

I wish I had a good answer to the question of what happens to the existing site if the PSU proposal moves forward, but I don't think that should weigh so heavily on the decision making process.

[maccoinnich]

PSU taps Portland development firm for hotel, conference center development



A local development firm has officially signed on to develop a hotel and conference room as part of Portland State University's larger strategy to bring a Broadway-capable theater to downtown Portland.

The university announced Tuesday it has entered exclusive negotiations with Portland-based Colas Development Group. The firm is a partnership between the family-owned construction company Colas Construction and real estate investment and a development firm led by Ndamukong Suh's HMS Developments.

The negotiating agreement with Colas Development Group includes plans to develop a 150-key hotel and conference center at the south end of downtown Portland.

It will complement the planned multi-use Performing Arts + Culture Center development the university has been planning over the last few years. PSU will be the overall developer of the complex.

...continues at the Portland Business Journal.

[urbanlife]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

...continues at the Portland Business Journal.

This looks like a great addition. Does this include the little one story waste of space building on the corner of the block?

[maccoinnich]

Portland takes another step toward a new, Broadway-capable performing arts venue



Is Portland getting closer to making a decision about the future of Broadway-level shows in the city?

Maybe.

According to a Tuesday news release from the city’s Office of Arts and Culture, two separate advisory groups “have reached strikingly similar recommendations” about what to do with the Keller Auditorium.

That solution? Build a new venue at Portland State University, keeping the Keller open during construction, and then turn the Keller into something else.

The question of the Keller’s future has tormented the city for decades.

...continues at the Oregonian. (Recommendations here and here.)

[eric cantona]

Fabulous.

[maccoinnich]

On the July 28th agenda for the City Life Committee: Accept the Future of Large-Scale Performing Arts recommendations to advance a new Broadway-capable venue as part of the proposed Performing Arts + Culture Center at Portland State University, and initiate planning for the future of the Keller Auditorium.

[dizflip]

Somewhat unrelated but related - I hope TriMet decommissions the PSU South MAX stations with the anticipated increase in ridership at the Lincoln St station. The stations are two blocks apart, and the PSU South stations are one of the slowest segments of light rail on the transit mall (which in turn is in the top two slowest segments of the MAX system).

[maccoinnich]

(Note that the vote was only delayed because public testimony took up all the time and the committee didn't have time to deliberate.)

Vote delayed for proposed Broadway theater at PSU

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - A vote on a proposed new Broadway theater venue at Portland State University was delayed Tuesday. This comes as Portlanders remain divided on whether to create a new venue or renovate the Keller Auditorium.

“It’s like building another new shiny object, like another new part, that we build but we don’t have the money to take care of it,” said Bob Naito, who is against the new Broadway-capable venue.

Portlanders are divided over whether the city should invest in a new Broadway theater venue on Portland State’s campus.

“We’ve been in the dulled room for many years and I think it’s time to turn that around, and I think this project will tell the world and tell people here that yes we are capable of doing great things,” said Linda McKim-Bell, who supports the new venue.

...continues at KPTV.

[PhillyPDX]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

(Note that the vote was only delayed because public testimony took up all the time and the committee didn't have time to deliberate.)



...continues at KPTV.

So this whole process has me confused. I thought Keller reno was financially infeasible hence the PSU push. But now it’s workable? What am I missing? And funding is unknown for either/both (at a time with huge city budget gaps overall)? Seems like a mess of a process.

[maccoinnich]

City Life committee is set to vote on this tomorrow.

[maccoinnich]

Portland just voted to move toward building a new Broadway-capable theater at PSU



Portland City Council voted Wednesday to take another step forward with a plan to replace the Keller Auditorium with a new Broadway-capable venue at Portland State University.

While the resolution does not promise any funds for the Performing Arts + Culture Center project yet, it signals city support for the approximately 3,000-seat venue, which would be built in partnership between Portland and PSU and moves ahead with planning for the project.

The vote came down to eight in favor and four opposed.

The yes vote from the council will begin the more formal planning process and help the university unlock state funding for the endeavor.

“I see this vote as a vote to at least explore the possibility that we will be able, over the next 20 years, to have continuous Broadway productions,” said Councilor Steve Novick on Wednesday.

...continues at the Oregonian.

[PhillyPDX]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

...continues at the Oregonian.

This will be interesting in a city with budget cuts and ever diverging revenues:outlays:

“I am, bottom line, very concerned about the money,” Olivia Clark, council vice president, said on Wednesday. “I would just reiterate what I’ve heard from my colleagues. There is no money.”

If we balked at big money for Moda. Surely none should go to this theater with literally less than 1/10th the economic impact and total revenues, yet similar scale public funding needs.