Council Punts Performing Arts Center Vote as Mayor Proposes Two-Venue Solution

['Rachel Saslow', 'Rsaslow Wweek.Com', 'Rachel Saslow Is An Arts', 'Culture Reporter. Before Joining Ww', 'She Wrote The Arts Beat Column For The Washington Post. She Is Always Down For Karaoke Night.', 'July'] Willamette Week 2026-07-29 00:00:00

The fate of Keller Auditorium is still up in the air after the Portland City Council punted the deliberation and vote to Aug. 11 after an afternoon of public testimony July 28. Then, Keller would be renovated down to a 1,200-1,800 seat performing arts venue. Council President Jamie Dunphy testified in support of the two-venue proposal while acknowledging that the financing outlook is still cloudy. The Oregon Legislature has allocated $137.5 million toward a PSU venue and parking, but that’s the only formal funding in place so far. PSU president Ann Cudd said she was thrilled to testify in support of the resolution.