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Arts organizations looking to relocate along a busy MAX line and save a popular arts venue in the process may luck out this summer.

The board of the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center, a performance venue located on Interstate Avenue in North Portland, earlier this month announced it would have to close its doors beginning May 1 due to declining fundraising income.

Now, Portland Parks & Recreation will solicit proposals from nonprofit arts organizations to keep the building from sitting vacant. The information on the selection process will be posted on PP&R’s Web site  April 8.

The building, at 5340 N. Interstate Ave., includes a small dance studio, two art galleries, a 100-seat theater and a small kitchen area. It was renovated from an old fire station into a performing arts venue by architect DeNorval Unthank Jr. in the 1980s.

Criteria for future tenants includes providing multicultural arts programming, supporting the communities of North and Northeast Portland and having a track record of financial stability.

PP&R hopes to recommend a new tenant to Portland City Council before the summer. For more information on submitting proposals, contact Todd Lofgren at [email protected].