Management consulting firm recommends the city explore a potential venue that can seat between 400 and 600 people

Spencer Pauley
The Center Square Washington

The city of Vancouver is exploring a potential performing arts venue to boost the downtown core.

The management consulting practice Webb Mgmt was hired by the city to update previous work on the need and opportunity for new facilities and how they could support the city’s broader goals. Webb MGMT Consultant Duncan Webb presented recommendations for the city to consider during a council workshop on Monday.

Webb MGMT recommends the city explore a potential venue that can seat between 400 and 600 people. Webb said the venue would be responsive to the needs of local arts organizations and will possibly be located in downtown Vancouver to help support goals for downtown vibrancy.

A project that the practice found comparable to what could be developed in Vancouver is the Reser Center for the Arts in Beaverton, Ore. The project totaled $52 million, with an operating budget of $4.3 million, with $1.6 million coming directly from the City of Beaverton.

Vancouver City Mayor Pro Tem Erik Paulsen voiced his excitement for the potential project, adding that he is supportive of a venue in the city’s downtown core.

“Our arts community has been sorely lacking in spaces like this for many many years,” Vancouver City Mayor Pro Tem Erik Paulsen said in the city council workshop meeting on Monday. “This has the opportunity to be a catalyzing location within our community.”

The city has held discussions about the need for a performing arts facility for decades, but limited progress has been made. 

In 2020, KO Projects conducted a performing arts feasibility study on behalf of the city. Key insights from the study revealed a venue accommodating between 200 and 400 people would meet the needs of local community groups. Projected costs for a venue ranged from $33 million for an adaptive re-use option and $43 million for an all-new facility.

Annual funding was estimated at $400,000 after three years with the total annual economic impact on Vancouver estimated between $2.2 million and $2.5 million.

While most of the local art groups say they need a functional theater with 200 to 400 seats, there has been some demand for a 500- to 700-seat venue. Notably, the Vancouver Symphony is seeking a venue with a seating capacity of around 1,100.

Webb Mgmt is also endorsing the city’s Arts Hub project due to its cost efficiency. The project would build on a repurposed arts center that originally was an old library building. The building is 50,000 square feet and has an estimated capacity of 200 to 250 seats.

This report was first published by The Center Square Washington.