City considers combination of Keller remodel and new performance center at PSU
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The City of Portland, the Halprin Landscape Conservancy and Portland State University will spend the next few weeks discussing the feasibility of both renovating the Keller Auditorium and building a “state-of-the-art” concert hall on PSU property on Southwest Lincoln Street.
Prior to today’s city council meeting, the discussions were focused on choosing between one project or the other. However, the city council voted on Aug. 14 to give itself, the university and the conservancy until Oct. 9 to discuss the possibility of finding a common resolution.
Mayor Ted Wheeler, Portland State University President Ann Cudd and board members of the Halprin Landscape Conservancy all strongly hinted that the three parties were interested in discussing the possibility of both venues existing at the same time. However, the language of the meeting remained somewhat vague.
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Mayor Ted Wheeler said at the end of the meeting that Wednesday’s presentation was focused on one question: “Can these two proposals be merged?”
“The council is unanimously saying we’re interested in hearing that question answered,” Wheeler said. “… We only have several dozen days to answer that question, but I remain confident we can answer it in the affirmative. If it turns out we can not, we will move forward with one proposal or the other.”
A rendering of the Keller Auditorium’s proposed renovations from the Northwest facade and proposed Third Avenue plaza (Credit: Halprin Landscape Conservancy) Street view of PSU’s proposed Portland Arts + Culture Center designed by Bora Architects. (Courtesy Bora) A rendering of the proposed Keller Auditorium renovation from the building’s Southwest facade (Credit: Halprin Landscape Conservancy) Lobby view of PSU’s proposed Portland Arts + Culture Center designed by Bora Architects. (Courtesy Bora)
Halprin Landscape Conservancy board member Scott Andrews confirmed with KOIN 6 News that the organization and PSU will meet sometime next week to discuss the possibility of both projects moving forward.
“Neither side has given up, that I can see,” Andrews said. “… They want it on their site, we want it on our site. But the thought is we can talk it out.”
The conservancy and PSU have competed for the city council’s approval since July of 2023, when city commissioners requested proposals to replace the Keller Auditorium. The request was made after a 2020 study determined that the outdated theater is unlikely to survive the next major earthquake.
The City Council received eight proposals for the project and narrowed its decision down to PSU’s pitch for a new concert hall, and the Halprin Landscape Conservancy’s plan to renovate the Keller Auditorium. However, during the past year, the university and the conservancy never discussed the possibility of working together on one unified project.
“Today was everybody agreeing to talk, which we’ve been trying to get done for months,” Andrews said.
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The city council has given the groups 56 days to find a common solution. PSU President Ann Cudd said at Wednesday’s meeting that the university hopes the final decision is a “win-win” for Portland.
“By collaborating on a long-term plan that activates both sites on each end of Halprin sequence, we believe we can deliver the win-win that our city desperately needs,” Cudd said. “… We’re excited about this process because it expands a conversation beyond a decision about a single auditorium and sets a table for us to collaborate toward a vision for the future of our city.”
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