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The collaborative team working on a plan to provide exceptional space for performing arts in Portland got the go-ahead Thursday to explore developing two projects: renovating Keller Auditorium and constructing a new venue on a Portland State University site. This approach aims to avoid a prolonged closure of Keller Auditorium during construction.

The resolution passed by Portland City Council also directs staff to hire a consultant through a procurement process to conduct a market feasibility analysis. It鈥檚 expected to determine whether the two venues are feasible or if the city needs only one. The total cost of both projects is estimated at $857 million.

City staff will also conduct a traffic study for both sites.

Keller Auditorium was originally constructed as a large brick auditorium in 1917. It was modernized in 1968; however, much of the original structure remains behind the concrete fa莽ade.

In 2020, the Keller Seismic Analysis Summary Report was completed, which outlined the facility鈥檚 structural deficiencies and listed options for a limited building renovation with seismic upgrades, a major renovation that would include additions, or construction of a new facility either on the existing site or a different one.

Later, the Halprin Landscape Conservancy (HLC) proposed a renovation while Portland State University (PSU) proposed construction of a new building on its own property. In August, the City Council tasked HLC and PSU to collaborate by merging their two proposals.

鈥淚 am extremely pleased to see a joint proposal in front of us today,鈥� Mayor Ted Wheeler said during Thursday鈥檚 meeting.

Chariti Montez, director of the city of Portland鈥檚 Office of Arts & Culture Team, said the combined team landed on pursuit of both a renovation of Keller Auditorium and new construction at PSU. With this strategy, Keller Auditorium would not close for renovations until the new PSU venue opens for Broadway shows. Wheeler said the proposal is compelling and doable.

According to city staff, no alternative temporary venues 鈥� including the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, the Veterans Memorial Coliseum and the new Live Nation venue 鈥� are suitable for Broadway shows because none have sufficient technical capacity. Nevertheless, Bob Naito, HLC鈥檚 board co-chair and treasurer, asked the city to continue to explore temporary venue options in the event of a construction delay for the PSU site so that performers, workers and arts organizations would not be harmed by the renovation of Keller Auditorium.

The collaborative team will return before the City Council in spring 2025 with updated studies based on results of the market feasibility analysis and the traffic study.

Currently, ground is scheduled to be broken at PSU in 2027. Keller Auditorium would close for renovations after the new facility opens (slated for 2029) and then ultimately reopen in 2032.