Our Next Keller

10/11/2024

GOOD NEWS!

We applaud the decision by city council to move ahead with a reimagined, renovated, 21st Century Keller Auditorium. Removing the cloud of uncertainty hanging over the future of this beloved, profitable venue, is the right decision for the future of Portland’s arts and culture economy and for downtown. We look forward to doing our part to turn this exciting and inclusive vision – into a reality. While the possibilities of a Portland State venue are being studied, we urge the city to immediately greenlight and fund the next steps to advance the full-scale Keller renovation.

Read the full testimony of Bob Naito here:

09/23/2024

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2024/08/05/lindberg-castillo-dont-abandon-keller-auditorium.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawFYOElleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHUkzzXwqGQWWqUM6L3iwflOqsLXNtw8CZD2ZM8xoUdDKbExTvGumk4tuNQ_aem_sPEj0FiMf1T0lEo3c61A4g

Mike Lindberg and Gale Castillo write that saving the existing facility will cost far less while keeping a key hub downtown.

09/21/2024

https://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2024/07/opinion-stunning-keller-fountain-deserves-a-revitalized-keller-auditorium.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawFYOFRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHRMoz7Ci2M5HHPkUEKbhAQ1LSCiX0zCXTCX5AzcC1jwbIV_lDhsjaPcumA_aem_11E4SdYcGiHPgCp4hrGPiA

There's a fundamental reason why the city should choose to renovate Keller Auditorium rather than build a venue elsewhere - the "stunning" Keller Fountain that was designed to sit at the auditorium's entrance, writes Fred Leeson, past president of the Architectural Heritage Center. The city should i...

09/18/2024

https://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2024/08/editorial-portland-city-council-shouldnt-wait-too-long-on-making-a-keller-auditorium-decision.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawFYOB9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHaCjFPG101HHTsvJGuuzZhRc4m-m4maSTnzHr0-OaIGVfK0LbxnEVDJL2w_aem_aff6nMjYwwRdPrpWzTbXWA

08/14/2024

Renovating the Keller seems the obvious choice. Many civic leaders and other Portlanders support it; it reuses an existing historic building; & at an estimated $290M, it is far less costly than the estimated $450M needed to build a new center at PSU, although that would be larger.

As the Portland City Council gets closer to making its decision about the future of the Keller Auditorium, many questions remain — including what kind of decision the council needs

08/12/2024

While we favor the Keller renovation as the best option for the city, Portland should not make that decision at the cost of its arts organizations’ vitality. In taking up the resolution next week, City Council members should clearly identify non-negotiables that will guide their ultimate decision.
https://bit.ly/3WKDgGv

Portland City Council is asking the teams behind competing proposals for renovating or replacing Keller Auditorium to try to work out a compromise. While seeking additional ideas is fine, the Council must move forward with a decision this year and ensure that arts organizations are protected, the ed...

08/09/2024

See below for a statement on the upcoming City Council action regarding the future of The Keller Auditorium:

“We are eager to replace competition with collaboration to find a big win for everyone who loves attending shows and concerts in Portland, for those who work in our arts and culture economy, and for our downtown neighborhood. Over the next 45 days, we look forward to working with the city to explore and find a solution that is great for Portland. The Keller is a beloved part of Portland’s past and is ready to play an even bigger role in our future,” said Karen Whitman with the Halprin Landscape Conservancy.

08/06/2024

"For certain, The Keller needs a complete renovation, inside and out. But in Portland, we reimagine and restore. We don’t abandon and bulldoze buildings when renovation makes more economic and environmental sense. Soon, the city council will decide whether to renovate the Keller or build a new performing arts complex on the campus of Portland State University. We urge the city council to save the Keller."

Mike Lindberg and Gale Castillo write that saving the existing facility will cost far less while keeping a key hub downtown.

08/05/2024

Read our Op-Ed with Restore Oregon on exactly how renovating the Keller Auditorium will preserve resources, strengthen Portland's economy, and revitalize downtown. Our Next Keller

https://tinyurl.com/2s6264vs

08/05/2024

Revitalize and renovate The Keller! Share your thoughts with us here: https://speak4.app/lp/g801qsxs

08/02/2024

$1 BILLION isn’t necessary to give Portland a fully renovated performing arts center with better acoustics, seating, and other amenities as good as a brand new venue. The Keller can be renovated for $300 million including funds to support Keller users and workers, and stage productions either at The Keller or at alternate venues during 18-22 months of construction. Renovating The Keller costs less, puts sustainability talk into action and would more quickly give Portland a world-class performance venue open and accessible to all.

The construction firm leader said combining the interests of current Keller supporters with those who want a new facility could prevent Portland from losing valuable performance dates.

08/02/2024

Tell Portland City Council why you think they should choose to renovate The Keller! https://speak4.app/lp/g801qsxs