PSU hopes Schnitzer $10M gift boosts their Keller plan

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The $10 million donation from Jordan Schnitzer to Portland State University for an art museum comes at the same time PSU is putting together a bid to replace Keller Auditorium.

There are 3 options to either replace the Keller Auditorium or renovate it where it stands.

University officials hope this donation could tilt things in their favor even though the group hoping to renovate the Keller in its current location is still in the game.

The Keller Auditorium, which opened in 1917, is outdated and needs seismic upgrades.

In February, the Halprin Landscape Conservancy, City of Portland, and Metro unveiled plans to the Metro Council for a new vision of the cultural landmark. It involves paving over Third Avenue to create a wider plaza connecting the auditorium to Keller Fountain.

The venue is critical to Portland’s arts scene since it it currently the only venue capable of hosting the traveling Broadway shows that bring millions of dollars into the city.

KOIN 6 News will continue to follow this story.