Beaverton Officials Celebrate Groundbreaking at Patricia Reser Center for the Arts

Beaverton, OR. Groundbreaking for The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts launched construction of the first of its kind facility to be built in the Portland-metro area in more than 30 years. On November 13th, Chris Ayzoukian of Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle, lead donor Pat Reser and Lani Faith of the Beaverton Arts Foundation used their ceremonial shovels to dig in.

“As we approach the realization of this performing arts facility, we have been provided a once-in-a-generation opportunity within our community to broaden exposure to the arts, including artists and arts education,” said Pat Reser, chair of the capital campaign for the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts.“This center will provide a place to celebrate artistic expression in all of its forms and it is my strong conviction that both the arts and our community will continue to flourish, impacting residents for decades to come.”

“I’m thrilled that this long-held personal dream and our community vision of a vibrant downtown with culture and arts at our heart is becoming a reality,” said Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle. “This center is a benefit to our city, the region and beyond. I’m counting down the days to opening and the opportunity to share this wonderful asset for many to enjoy.”

Together with emcee and Eye on the NW host Natali Marmion, Mayor Doyle, the Beaverton City Council and Beaverton Urban Redevelopment Agency Board welcomed lead donor Patricia Reser, as well as Oregon Poet Laureate Kim Stafford, among others. To highlight the center’s mission of bringing a diverse range of artists and audiences together, a nearly 200-voice choir – especially assembled for the occasion – performed “True Colors” and “All You Need is Love,” including an audience singalong led by Thomas Lauderdale of Pink Martini. The choir included members from iSing Choir, Portland Gay Men’s Chorus, Portland Lesbian Choir, Arts & Communication Magnet Academy Choir, Southridge High School Choir and others, along with singers Marilyn Keller, Maddie Green and members of Big Horn Brass.

Nestled near to The Round between SW Cedar Hills Boulevard and SW Hall Boulevard, the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts will include a 550-seat theater, art gallery, rehearsal, workshop and meeting space, lobby, outdoor plaza and adjacent parking structure. With innovative offerings in the performing arts – theater, music and dance – the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts will be a beacon for civic engagement, creative learning and greater social cohesion.

“I’m excited about the many possibilities at the center to bring regional and national artists and attractions to Beaverton in a professional and intimate setting,” said Chris Ayzoukian, general manager for Patricia Reser Center for the Arts. “It will be a welcoming regional destination for many kinds of events and arts education programs that will highlight the cultural diversity of Beaverton and create more access to the arts for all.”

On July 17, 2018, the Beaverton Arts Foundation announced a gift of $13 million to the project. This transformative pledge made possible by Patricia Reser is an investment that provides nearly one-third of the $51 million in project costs needed to build the Center. Another $21.9 million is coming from public sources, including a land donation and a new City Transient Lodging Tax (TLT). In total, 96 percent of the construction costs have already been identified through public and private philanthropic investment.

“It has truly been inspiring to see how the community has stepped up in support of the vision for the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts,” said Lani Faith, executive director for the Beaverton Arts Foundation, the fundraising partner for the new center for the arts. “The dream of a vibrant stage and central gathering place has been in the hearts and minds of residents for many years, and it’s an incredible privilege to watch it come to life.”

The project’s design and construction team includes Skanska USA Building Inc., Gerding Edlen and OPSIS Architecture.

From the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts:

The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts will be the first performing arts center of its kind to be built in the Portland-metro area in more than 30 years. Nestled near to The Round between SW Cedar Hills Boulevard and SW Hall Boulevard, the facility will include a 550-seat theater, art gallery, rehearsal, workshop and meeting space, lobby, outdoor plaza and adjacent parking structure. With innovative offerings in the performing arts – theater, music and dance – the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts will be a beacon for civic engagement, creative learning and greater social cohesion. For more information, please visit: centerfortheartscampaign.org and beavertonoregon.gov/prca.