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.

Portland philanthropist Jordan Schnitzer gifts PSU $10 million for campus’ arts scene

The Keller Auditorium, which opened in 1917, is outdated and needs seismic upgrades.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

PSU President Ann Cudd said the Schnitzer donation “is great momentum for us. We can really use this gift to show what a great arts destination we are already.

“I think the jury’s still out on all that,” said Karen Whitman from Halprin Landscape Conservancy. “I think we are all equal in making our last best pitch.”

There is a third proposal coming from the owners of the Lloyd Center.

All 3 proposals will be presented to Portland City Council in May with a final decision on the future of the Keller Auditorium coming sometime this summer.

KOIN 6 News will continue to follow this story.

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