About the project
What is the Performing Arts + Culture Center?
The Performing Arts + Culture Center is a proposed development at Portland State University in downtown Portland. Plans include a City-owned Broadway-capable theater, PSU-owned
educational and community performance spaces, and a privately financed hotel and conference center.
The vision connects live performance, education and workforce development while bringing more activity to downtown Portland.
Learn about the Center.
Where would the Performing Arts + Culture Center be located?
The Performing Arts + Culture Center is proposed for the University Place Hotel site at SW Fourth Avenue and Lincoln Street in downtown Portland, on the south end of PSU’s
campus.
The vision includes connections between the Center, Keller Auditorium and the Halprin Sequence of urban walkways and fountains, creating a more connected downtown cultural district.
See the Center's location.
When would the Performing Arts + Culture Center open?
The proposed Performing Arts + Culture Center has a target opening of 2030. The schedule depends on funding, design, approvals and construction.
The planned sequence would keep Keller Auditorium operating until the new Broadway theater opens, maintaining performances while the City plans Keller’s next chapter.
View the timeline.
Keller Auditorium’s future
What would happen to Keller Auditorium if the Performing Arts + Culture Center is built?
The proposed approach would keep Keller Auditorium operating while the new Broadway theater is built. The City of Portland, which owns Keller, would determine the auditorium’s
next use through planning and community input.
The Performing Arts + Culture Center supports a meaningful future for Keller and a broader vision linking the Auditorium, the Center and the Halprin Sequence. Keeping Broadway
performances going without interruption would help protect the jobs and downtown businesses that depend on them.
Learn about the win-win proposal.
Does the City of Portland plan to abandon Keller Auditorium?
The City’s current direction includes planning for Keller’s future alongside the proposed Performing Arts + Culture Center. Keller remains an important civic asset, and
its final configuration and funding have not been determined.
Portland’s planning process includes exploring a smaller performing arts venue at Keller. Portland State University supports a next chapter that honors the site, its historic
fountain and its role in Portland’s cultural life.
Read the City’s performing arts project update.
Why not use a temporary theater while Keller Auditorium is renovated?
No economically feasible temporary Broadway-capable venue has been identified in Portland to sustain a Broadway series during Keller’s reconstruction.
Building a temporary theater would require substantial investment in a suitable site and production facilities, followed by the costs and environmental impacts of dismantling it.
Opening a permanent Broadway theater at the Performing Arts + Culture Center before Keller closes for reconstruction would avoid the need for that temporary facility.
Funding and costs
How would Portland pay for the Performing Arts + Culture Center?
The proposed Performing Arts + Culture Center has multiple components, owners and funding sources. The City would identify a funding model for its Broadway theater; PSU-owned
educational and community spaces would have separate funding, and the hotel and conference center are proposed as privately financed.
Funding for PSU-owned spaces is planned through state bond financing, philanthropy and university strategic capital funds. The City’s Broadway theater funding model remains to
be determined, and financial commitments would require further City Council review and approval.
Would the Performing Arts + Culture Center cost more than renovating Keller Auditorium?
The total development cost of the Performing Arts + Culture Center includes facilities beyond a Broadway theater. A meaningful comparison needs to distinguish the cost of the
City-owned Broadway theater from the cost of PSU-owned spaces and the privately financed hotel and conference center.
A comparison with Keller reconstruction should also identify the estimate dates, scope of work, seismic and accessibility improvements, production capabilities and effects of a
performance closure. Updated estimates are needed to assess the costs and tradeoffs accurately.
Hotel and downtown benefits
Why does the Performing Arts + Culture Center include a conference center and hotel?
The proposed conference center and hotel are intended to attract new visitors and gatherings as part of a destination anchored by live performance.
The planned 150-room hotel is intentionally sized so larger conferences would also generate demand for nearby hotels, restaurants and businesses. Performance activity peaks in fall
and winter, while conferences peak in spring and summer. Bringing these uses together is intended to support downtown activity throughout the year.
Would the conference center and hotel be publicly funded?
The hotel and conference center are proposed as privately financed components of the Performing Arts + Culture Center. PSU has selected Colas Development Group to enter exclusive
negotiations for their development.
Colas Development Group has been selected to enter into negotiations for the private hotel and conference center. The agreement represents more than $70 million in private investment
in downtown Portland.
Learn about the exclusive agreement.
Why is the PSU site being considered for Portland’s next Broadway theater?
The PSU site offers far more space to bring a Broadway-capable theater together with educational facilities, community performance spaces and visitor amenities in downtown Portland.
A City-commissioned market feasibility study recommended developing a new Broadway-capable venue at PSU. The study identified the site’s ability to accommodate the seating and
amenities needed for modern productions while keeping Broadway performances operating at Keller during construction.
Read the City’s market
feasibility study summary.
Is there enough audience demand for the proposed performance venues?
The City-commissioned market study found insufficient demand for two large Broadway-capable venues in Portland. It recommended the City pursue constructing a new Broadway-capable
theater at PSU, while identifying a different approach for Keller’s future.
Read the market feasibility findings.
PSU’s mission and students
How does the Performing Arts + Culture Center fit PSU’s mission?
The proposed Performing Arts + Culture Center would support PSU’s educational mission with exceptional arts facilities, professional experiences and opportunities for workforce
training in stagecraft and hospitality.
Funding for PSU-owned spaces is planned through state bond financing, philanthropy and strategic capital funds, which are separate from operating funds supporting faculty salaries and
student programming.
Connecting education, live performance and workforce development would help prepare students for careers while supporting Portland’s arts and creative economy. Partnering in
activities that spark revitalization of downtown Portland is also important for our city’s urban public university.
Hear what President Cudd has to say.
