The exterior of Keller Auditorium in Downtown Portland. A recent seismic study by the city revealed that the historic venue is in dire need of renovation.
Steven Tonthat / OPB
Portland City Council is delaying a final decision on the future of the Keller Auditorium to October and directing two groups to work together to create a plan to upgrade the aging performing arts venue.
The auditorium is outdated and unlikely to survive a major earthquake, a seismic report from the city suggests. Renovating is a challenge because the Keller actively stages Broadway shows and performances from the Oregon Ballet Theatre, the Portland Opera and others. Shutting it down for construction could cost hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars.
In May, officials at Portland State University put forward a plan to build a new, similar-size venue on a nearby plot owned by the university. The Halprin Landscape Conservancy sketched out a proposal to renovate the auditorium at its existing Southwest 2nd Avenue and Clay Street site.
Related: To renovate or rebuild? Portland City Council hears Keller Auditorium proposals
On Wednesday, the council passed a resolution directing city staff to work with PSU and the Halprin Landscape Conservancy to “seek a collaborative solution that combines their respective projects.”
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler told commissioners it was worthwhile to take a couple more months to see if there’s a way to combine the plans.
“But if it turns out that through all of our collective good work that that is not the case,” Wheeler said, “that no such compromise is available, I want to be very clear that I will be bringing back a resolution to the council asking us to move forward on one specific proposal.”
Ahead of Wednesday’s meeting representatives from both PSU and the Halprin Land Conservancy published statements saying they look forward to working together on the project.
The council’s resolution dismissed a third proposal they heard in May that would have built a new Keller on the opposite side of the Willamette River, as part of the Urban Renaissance Group’s Lloyd Center development project.
Related: Revamp considered for Portland’s Keller Auditorium after seismic report deems it unsafe
Bustling arts venues can act as an anchor for economically healthy downtowns, which economists consider as an indicator for overall financial health of a city. Portland’s downtown took a big hit when the pandemic closed down performance spaces. With few daytime office workers or evening visitors, foot traffic declined downtown, while the city saw an increase in people experiencing homelessness, mental illness or drug addiction.
City officials hope restoring a venue like the Keller will signal their commitment to reviving downtown’s art and entertainment scene.
“This decision has the potential to be a catalyst for our downtown in a way that creates a genuine excitement for Portlanders, visitors and economic revitalization,” Donnie Oliveira, Deputy City Administrator for Community and Economic Development, told City Council. “It can set a sense of place in our southern downtown area, and by leveraging existing features, we can truly do something transformational.”
The combined proposal from PSU and Halprin is due to the city council by Oct. 9.