multi use arts performance venue downtown oregon united_states opened housed red colored stone building completed lutheran church city west portland owns level facility operates parks recreation department includes gallery space classroom space seat performance hall ground floors ground level center total square feet space located east main street west block east main center named honor local couple donated million project included purchasing property million worth renovations history congregation founded acquired church 1940s congregation needed larger place worship bought lot corner fifth avenue downtown washington rock quarry offered church unlimited red colored rock long church transported rock construction began new church completed late 1990s church began building new campus southeast city church want sell home torn time city looking space use arts center plans arts culture center city vision community plan finalized designed improve city located portland metropolitan area purchased property church million november purchase price came million donation city help pay arts center earned money operating nursery surrounding community city hoped open arts center winter delayed later estimates having center opening late december construction began work transform church culture arts center designed changes building sits square feet lot renovations included adding new roof creating new entrance adding elevator changes creating new entrance involved removing hand stone walls window opening brought building modern seismic codes comply americans disabilities act city officials hoped maintain character original structure despite changes upgrades total cost renovations opening million city paying costs financing center came selling bricks public exterior spaces march opened total cost project including buying property million center operating budget comes city funds user generated fees new classical music concert series started center book club focusing arts culture titles april held concert center building located main street fifth avenue downtown center blocks light rail station building covers square feet space contains classrooms lobby meeting rooms box office exhibition gallery auditorium main building rock walls auditorium contains high arched ceilings stained glass windows featuring stone chimney contractors removed chimney conversion center inserted elevator comply requirements shaped center levels includes basement houses classrooms art instruction instruction includes courses creating pottery sculptures second story contains exhibition gallery space rooms focus visual arts main level square foot auditorium church sanctuary located auditorium seats people concerts lectures plays events outside garden lawn area east small stage fair weather events summer concerts outside building new wheelchair ramp added east new entrance added exterior building inside kitchen area operations designed increased downtown development center city dedicated arts facility city officials hoped create artists downtown area center developments include renovated goal center encourage art studios open art related festivals develop attract people downtown businesses closed traditionally shops businesses closed workers county seat left day center rented groups private functions performances include opera folk music country music spoken word acts include poetry readings lectures art exhibits included organic questioning functionality questioning functionality shows included art forms interior design crafts sculpture fine art
Glenn & Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center