Sub-bids were published this week for work on a $46 million arts center in downtown Beaverton, the latest sign the showcase civic project is moving forward.

Construction manager/general contractor Skanska USA Building will build the 43,235-square-foot Patricia Reser Center for the Arts. The regional arts venue will include a 550-seat theater, art gallery, and space for rehearsals, workshops and meetings. The project will be the first new performing arts center built in the Portland metro region in three decades, supporters say.

Project backers expect to break ground before the end of the year. If all goes well, the arts center would open in mid-2021.

The project would be built on a city-owned parcel adjacent to The Round, increasingly a hub of public life in Beaverton. The area is on the MAX Blue Line and near a bustling food-cart pod.

“This project is part of a larger project for downtown Beaverton to create a more vibrant downtown,” said Chris Ayzoukian, general manager of the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts.

Renderings show an expansive two-story building on Beaverton Creek with transparent glass facades framed by narrow white columns backing into a box-shaped performing arts venue and the taller parking garage.

A light-filled, transparent design was repeatedly mentioned by local residents in surveys as desirable, Ayzoukian said.

“The site is unique in that it’s right along Beaverton Creek, so there’s real opportunity to play with the natural landscape, and the urban, with The Round next door,” Ayzoukian said.

The project is funded by $21.9 million from the city of Beaverton via a lodging tax. The venue received a boost from the Oregon Legislature, which awarded $1.5 million in lottery funding during the 2019 session. Reser, who serves as chair of the Beaverton Arts Foundation board, donated $13 million.

Other private fundraising will provide the balance of the funding. The Arts Foundation is still looking to raise $3.5 million, said Executive Director Lani E. Faith.

The Beaverton City Council must give final approval to break ground. A Skanska executive declined to comment, referring questions to the city of Beaverton.

“There are a few more steps and hurdles to go before the project is green lighted,” said Cadence Petros, development division manager for the city of Beaverton. “City Council needs to make a determination that they’re far enough along in the fundraising to pull the trigger.”

The city would continue to own the building after completion. Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle also serves on the Arts Foundation’s board.

The Arts Center will include 2,400 square feet of office space for administrative purposes. The facility will not have enough space to lease out to other users, Ayzoukian said.

A neighboring parking garage will be built at the same time. The parking structure will have approximately 350 vehicle spaces and 7,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. “We’re looking to attract activation of the street along the lines of restaurants or retail,” Ayzoukian said.

During the design phase, the Arts Center theater was enlarged from 450 to 550 seats. The facility is meant to host both regional performing arts groups as well as touring acts. “The center has evolved quite a bit, as often these projects do,” Ayzoukian said.

Opsis Architecture is designing the project, and Gerding Edlen is serving as owner’s representative. The project team also includes landscape architect PLACE Studio, KPFF Consulting Engineers, Otak, and PAE Consulting Engineers.

A smaller, 1,800-square-foot room called The Lab will host more intimate performances and workshops.

“For a long time there’s been a shortage of performing arts in the region, especially on the West side,” Ayzoukian said. “This center fills a real need in terms of performance space.”

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