Visit the official Rose Quarter website for information on upcoming events, to purchase tickets, and to plan your trip to Veterans Memorial Coliseum or the Moda Center.
RoseQuarter.com
For more than half a century, Veterans Memorial Coliseum (VMC) has hosted some of Portland's most famous events — from the Trail Blazers' 1977 NBA championship to Beatles and Elvis Presley concerts. Owned by the City of Portland and operated by RIP City Management, this over 10,000-seat arena and event venue continues to serve as a community gathering space in the Rose Quarter.
Renovations at Veterans Memorial Coliseum
The Coliseum has been a staple in the Portland community for six decades. To stay modern, relevant, and financially viable, this iconic venue requires significant investment. Many critical building systems are original and need replacement and upgrades. Many amenities expected by event goers—comfortable seats, accessible restrooms, and diverse food and beverage offerings—are also lacking.
Funded by $53 million in bonds with all debt service from dedicated tourism resources, the building is now undergoing its largest renovation since opening. The build of the work is being constructed in two phases between 2024 and 2026. The project scope was informed by more than a year of work with a design and engineering team and consultation with a community advisory committee. That work produced a reinvestment strategy in October 2021.
In Spring 2025, the City of Portland convened a Project Advisory Group to develop recommendations for the future of the Veterans Memorials at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum (VMC). The group discussed key elements of the Memorials and came together to provide guidance for the City of Portland. In their final meeting, the group voted to approve their report, which includes recommendations and key design considerations.
Improvements being implemented in phases from 2024 to 2026
- Main electrical service switchgear and transformers
- Major plumbing upgrades
- New emergency generators
- Complete arena bowl seating replacement
- ADA platforms and premium group seating areas
- All restrooms expanded and upgraded
- Exiting upgrades for code compliance and concourse improvements
- Fire pump and other life/safety code upgrades
- Rigging enhancements
- Audio system replacement
- Loading area improvements
- Locker room improvements
- Scoreboard replacement/enhancement
Future additional upgrades, depending on funding availability
- Bowl curtaining system replacement
- Upgrades to Veterans Memorial Honor Roll
- Upgrades to select meeting rooms
- Seismic strengthening of the main column to roof connections
- Boiler replacement
- Building envelope renovation (glass and plywood curtain wall)
- Loading dock addition
Relocating the VMC's Memorial Walls
While at its core, the Coliseum is an event space, the spotlight on veterans has been a cornerstone of the building's history. The two granite honor roll panels installed in sunken plazas to either side of the main entrance honor the Portland region's war dead, with representation from military conflicts dating back to the Spanish-American War.
Unfortunately, the attachments supporting the honor roll panels deteriorated over the years and became a safety hazard. The granite name panels have been placed in storage pending a decision on the future of the memorials. In 2022, the City launched a digital memorial site to serve as a temporary substitute for the physical panels.
In Spring 2025, the City's Project Advisory Group for the Veterans Memorials finalized their report recommending key elements and design considerations for relocating the Memorials to the street-level plaza in front of the VMC. Learn more about that work and the group's recommendations.