Portland’s performing arts landscape is undergoing a dramatic reconsideration after a new market feasibility study released in January 2026 found the city cannot support two Broadway-scale theaters—casting doubt on the long-planned renovation of the historic Keller Auditorium.

The January 23 study, produced by Chicago-based Hunden Partners for the City’s “Future of Large‑Scale Performing Arts” project, concluded that downtown Portland’s entertainment ecosystem lacks the demand necessary to sustain both a multi‑venue strategy and the current use of the Keller as a Broadway‑capable site. Even after renovation, the Keller would lack sufficient seating and modern amenities to meet the needs of contemporary touring Broadway productions. Instead, the study recommends a new Broadway‑capable venue on the Portland State University (PSU) campus as a more viable and future‑oriented option. Read more, analysis.

For decades, the 3,000‑seat Keller Auditorium—a cornerstone of Portland’s Broadway offerings—has been in need of seismic reinforcement and system upgrades. A 2016 study confirmed that the nearly century‑old venue fails to meet modern earthquake safety standards, prompting proposals for a comprehensive renovation. At the same time, PSU proposed building a new performance center that would include not just a Broadway‑capable theater, but also educational spaces, a community theater, hotel, conference facilities, dining, and parking. Details, proposal overview.

In October 2024, the Portland City Council initially adopted a “two‑venue” strategy: MOVE ahead with renovation of the Keller while also constructing the PSU Performing Arts + Culture Center to ensure continuity in Broadway‑scale performances. The idea was to open the PSU venue first, allowing ongoing programming while the Keller was offline for renovation. But the market study now raises serious concerns about the feasibility of that approach. City’s resolution, project timeline.

Key findings from the study include:

  • Insufficient regional demand to justify two simultaneous Broadway‑capable venues.
  • Keller Auditorium’s post‑renovation capacity and amenities still fall short of touring Broadway requirements.
  • The PSU location offers better infrastructure, seating capacity, amenities, and the potential for sustained audience growth.

The City and Metro have structured several stakeholder groups—including a Performing Arts Venues Workgroup and a newly formed steering committee—to weigh these findings alongside financial, transportation, and governance considerations. Both Mayor Keith Wilson and Deputy City Administrator Donnie Oliveira emphasize that this market study is informative but not determinative. Final decisions will be informed by a broader package of reports and stakeholder input. Statement from city leaders.

Mayor Wilson added that the study is “an important piece of a much larger body of work that will help us revitalize Downtown and amplify Portland as a key destination for performing arts.” Metro’s recent announcement to return management of the Portland’5 Centers for the Arts to the City by July 1, 2027 adds another layer of complexity to an already crowded decision‑making process. Metro management transition.

For Portlanders who value arts accessibility, constitutional community spaces, and a liberated cultural economy, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The city must choose between preserving the past—reinventing the 1917-era Keller—or reimagining the future with a fully integrated performing arts campus embedded in PSU’s evolving downtown footprint.

With political power now distributed across new geographic districts and a City Manager in place, the ultimate decision will signal how Portland prioritizes cultural infrastructure, equity, and long-term economic resilience. Whatever the outcome, the fate of Keller Auditorium is now uncertain—and an essential touchstone in the cultural politics of how Portland builds toward its next century.

Sources:

  • City of Portland, “City releases market feasibility study examining the future of performing arts venues in Portland”
  • Oregon ArtsWatch, “Future of Keller Auditorium, PSU Performing Arts Center challenged”
  • Portland.gov, “Future of Large-Scale Performing Arts” and project timeline