What? And displace the bicyclists?

http://news.oregonmetro.gov/1/post.cfm/possible-renovations-for-arlene-schnitzer-concert-hall-highlighted-at-worksession

Admittedly, I found it odd that the New Markets credit was one of the funding options. But apparently, that area qualifies as a low-income community (PSU maybe?), so it could qualify for that program.

This is what happens to "urban renewal" and similar programs. They're enacted to help the poor, and then used to build playgrounds for the rich. Gerding Theater, now this -- future generations will laugh their butts off at the hypocrisy.

There's really plenty of lobby space in the Schnitz - it's just that it's spread out on three levels. If they had more concessions open on all three levels, the main lobby would be much less crowded,since most of the congestion is from the lines at the concessions.

If they really want to do something to improve it, they should increase the legroom - especially on the mezzanine - by spacing the rows wider. This would also reduce the attendance enough to uncrowd the lobbies.

Exhibit hall and kitchen? What for?

Will the taxpayers have to build a hotel across from the Schnitz to fill the exhibit spaces? That's the story for the Convention Center. We had to add onto that to supposedly make it more viable the pols said. Then we're told that we need to finance a Hotel to bring patrons. The Expo Center has more exhibit space and open dates than needed that makes it a drain on taxpayers. How many exhibit spaces do we need, all at taxpayer expense? I guess we don't have any other citizen programs wanting in this city and increased taxes we can't afford.

And closing a street that will require an additional 6 blocks to go to a point one block away from your possibly now required left hand turn-that's insane. I thought carb use avoidance was Portland's Green Agenda. Vehicle hate is winning out in Portland.

The insanity has to stop.

Lee,
Agree the insanity has to stop. . . worse is that it pervades in almost every situation we look at that is coming out of the city hall now. The "insanity" list is long.
What to do when one lives under not only the insane situation we have here, and citizens are treated so shabbily?

Portland needs more glass enclosed bathrooms. Just wait until Randy L takes that idea for the public bathrooms.

Me thinks this is just a ploy to arrive at the end result (remodel) suggested by Rettig.

It's just a matter of time until we have toll booths on the last remaining streets available to automobiles.

Or a new "congestion tax" if you want to park downtown. Perhaps that's why they're removing so many lanes from auto usage: they need to create the congestion before they can tax it.

As a past Oregon Symphony season ticket holder for almost a decade; I find Ms. Williams so-called "need" to expand the number of rest rooms at the Schnitz suspect at best. And as John Rettig pointed out above, if they opened the top two floor concession stands up for concerts, the lobby concessions would not be anywhere near as busy.

This may be part of the plan to eliminate all except for the very elite, and the very elite may need more fancy. . . and special halls may be needed for special gatherings for them. Some of the entitled ones living in gated communities may not appreciate having to mingle with "others" not as privileged.

The rest will be lucky if they can maintain their homes, as taxes increase, water rates increase, electricity rates increase, gas increase, food and all else, may take discretionary funds they may have had to go to the symphony.

"It would help activate this area and create an iconic imagery from Broadway," he said. "This design… would create a lantern effect that people would be drawn to from the park."

So it is to look elegant, and although I do apprciate elegance, but at what cost and consider the times, of economic difficulty. Those poor souls who cannot afford to enter will however be able to sit in the park blocks to watch the lovely affair encased in glass.

This is becoming a symbol here of what is happening in our country. The very rich continue to get tax breaks and the middle class being "taxed" towards a third world status.
Another public-private partnership indeed!

What "public right-of-way"? I thought the real estate development cabal dba City of Portland owned everything? There is no public in Portland, just the illusion of it to draw in the unsuspecting.

Clinamen wrote: Those poor souls who cannot afford to enter will however be able to sit in the park blocks to watch the lovely affair encased in glass.

Then the elite inside can look down on peasants under glass.

Iconic! "Lantern effect" - now there's an interesting term: people as moths.