The roar of the greasepaint
Hey, Portland taxpayers! Guess what time it is. Time to redo or replace that tired old Keller Auditorium.
How much you think it's going to run us? They're saying $200 million, but you know that means more like $300 million. They'll probably blow mid-eight figures just "planning" it. And don't forget the equity advisory commission budget!
But hey, if you want to see "Cats" for the fourth time, you gotta pay. Maybe they'll just add a couple of zeroes onto the $35-a-head city arts tax that isn't a head tax.
The project will be managed by Metro, who couldn't keep the air conditioning working at the Schnitzer. But don't worry, it'll be great.
If they don't do a rehab of the existing building, they may be erecting a whole new theater somewhere. One of the sites being discussed is Lloyd Center. Ha! Ha! As if. Right next to the major league baseball stadium.
I don't know about you, but I'd rather live another decade or two with the old auditorium we have while we try to restore some semblance of civilization to the streets. The Nutcracker isn't that much fun when you get stabbed on the way back to your car.
Wait a cotton pick'n minute! Why the Hell don't we turn it into a comfort zone for the "campers"? They could put on plays that involve stabbing or shooting, like a good Shakespeare tragedy...
ReplyDelete"Cotton pick'n" is a no-no. I have been informed by the language police, and I can see their point.
DeleteI attended a real rock and roll show there about eighteen months ago. I remember thinking what a nice place it was as I wandered around. The city has MUCH bigger issues than replacing one of its crown jewels. As for the "unable to withstand a major earthquake" canard, I've got news for everyone. If and when The Big One® arrives, the town is going to get leveled. That goes for buildings and bridges equally. A brand new $200 million building won't be saved from that fate.
ReplyDeleteLet's fix the Schnitz. Let's raze the Portland Building and put something nicer there. Same with Pioneer Place.
I'd settle for just taking out the trash and I do mean that literally.
DeleteMy memory reminds me that there are several “opera houses” in Europe that have existed for a long time without major construction changes.
ReplyDeleteName three.
DeleteInteresting request
DeleteLa Scala. Opera Garnier. Bozart. Alte Oper.
DeleteMy favorite is in Pest.
DeleteAccording to Wikipedia, La Scala "underwent a major renovation from early 2002 to late 2004. The theatre closed following the traditional 7 December 2001 season-opening performances of Otello, which ran through December. From 19 January 2002 to November 2004, the opera company transferred to the new Teatro degli Arcimboldi, built in the Pirelli-Bicocca industrial area 4.5 miles (7.2 km) from the city center." I think that qualifies as "major construction".
DeleteOpera Garnier underwent a twenty-year restoration beginning in 1994.
BOZAR's renovation took THIRTY years!
Alte Oper was destroyed during the thing in the forties and rebuilt in the seventies. Surely that qualifies as major construction.
I got the impression that the work was to restore former glory, not structural changes.
DeleteHoffman Construction and the local construction trade unions must have looked at their schedules for the next two to three years and realized that they don't have enough large projects on tap to keep profitably busy. It's all about the money.
ReplyDeleteAin't that the truth.
DeleteSave the demo expense let the quake do it
ReplyDeleteThe aerial tram to OHSU will not withstand a 'major earthquake' and they built it recently whilst assiduously ignoring that reality.
ReplyDeleteFile this under “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
ReplyDeleteWhat a Potemkin Village of a project. It sure must be nice to have infinite amounts of other people's money to play around with. The serfs who pay the bills could use a lot of practical things -- a safe city, lower taxes, lower water bills -- but those concerns count for nothing against the prospect of a shiny new auditorium.
ReplyDeleteIf you aren't worn down by the endless stupidity of the powers-that-be in this town, you're brain dead.
Illegitimi non carborundum.
DeleteMany decades ago I had that phrase printed, framed and hung behind my desk. Great conversation starter.
Delete