Portland takes the next step in laying the groundwork to improve one performing arts theater and to build another

The Portland City Council voted Sept. 8 to adopt Mayor Keith Wilson's recommendations on the future of large-scale performing arts in Portland, advancing plans for a new venue at Portland State University and improvements at Keller Auditorium.

This action advances planning for a renovation of Keller Auditorium in downtown Portland, Portland's longstanding home for large-scale performances. It also enables the City to move forward with planning a potential new City-owned, Broadway-capable venue as part of the proposed Performing Arts + Culture Center at Portland State University, which would seat about 3,000 people.

This approach to downtown revitalization is designed to celebrate investments in creative placemaking, supporting arts and cultural opportunities that bolster the central city as a vibrant, inclusive, and thriving urban center.

"Today's vote sends a signal about the future of downtown Portland," Wilson said. "Thank you to City Council for championing Portland's historic and up-and-coming venues. This work drives new energy, new creativity, and a vibrant cultural district for our city."

The City Council vote marks a major milestone after several years of work by city staff, the Mayor's Ex Officio Table, and a separate Steering Committee – as well as input from multiple studies and stakeholder engagement meetings..

After evaluating multiple studies and extensive input from users, arts groups, employees, operators, regional tourism interests and central city business interests, City leaders prioritized avoiding any closure that would impact Portland's ability to host Broadway performances and other large-scale productions. This approach also aligns with the steering committee's unanimous recommendation and the majority recommendation from the Mayor's ex officio table, both shared in June.

"We are grateful to Mayor Wilson and the City Council for taking this important next step toward a new Broadway-capable venue and a stronger future for the arts in Portland," said Ann Cudd, president of Portland State University. "PSU is proud to be an enthusiastic partner in this work. We believe this project can do more than provide a beautiful new home for the shows of tomorrow. It can help create a thriving cultural campus that brings artists, students, audiences, businesses and community together to create a vibrant future for downtown."

The deputy city administrator for Community & Economic Development is now directed to stand up a staff project team of technical experts with Portland State University. This team will complete pre-development functions as well as develop a Project Commitment Agreement with Portland State University by December 1, 2026. The agreement will establish the scope, schedule, and governance framework for the project and a shared commitment between the City and Portland State University to develop a proposed full capital funding strategy.

This resolution does not authorize, appropriate, or commit City funds for development or construction of the proposed Portland State University venue beyond funding previously authorized by City Council. During development of a new Broadway-capable venue at Portland State, the Keller Auditorium will continue to receive city investment and host programming, including Broadway shows.

As noted in the council resolution, the City of Portland will identify and pursue funding sources, where feasible, to support implementation of an adopted plan for the future of Keller Auditorium. In addition, the deputy city administrator will direct staff to initiate planning for the future of the Keller Auditorium, to be conducted in tandem with the Portland State University 3,000-seat venue.

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The City of Portland's Office of Arts & Culture celebrates and supports Portland's creative economy, expanding opportunities for Portlanders to participate in creative experiences through arts education coordination, cultural planning, grantmaking, public art and the Percent for Art program, and more. Our vision: arts at the center of public life in Portland. Learn more at portland.gov/arts.

The Office of Arts amp; Culture is one of several bureaus and programs in the Community and Economic Development service area. This service area creates and delivers efficient, transparent, and equitable solutions for a resilient built environment – as well as services, resources, and experiences for our community. This work is accomplished by aligning City programs focused on building prosperity for all Portlanders.