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A new development group has proposed renovating the Veterans Memorial Coliseum into a community center.

The renovation would come with a name change – the Veterans Memorial Arts and Athletics Center (VMAAC). It would include a revamped war memorial, a jazz club, water features and reflecting pools. Other areas of the Coliseum would house educational and multimedia facilities.

The VMAAC Development Group announced the proposal in a press release.

“Not only would this allow local non-profits and volunteer groups access to marketing tools and advertising- its real purpose would be to educate the public and enrich everyone by showcasing the activities taking place inside the VMAAC,” said Matthew Miller, VDG director and co-designer, “this development concept would give greater cohesion to Portland while offering personal enrichment.”

The Coliseum is also the subject of a renovation proposal by the Portland Trail Blazers and Portland Winterhawks, who want to turn it and the surrounding Rose Quarter into a sports and entertainment district.

Memorial Coliseum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Previous plans to tear down the Coliseum were criticized by architects and urban planners.