Portland’s hearings officer has approved the construction of a 62,000-square-foot concert venue at the corner of Southeast Salmon Street and Water Avenue. The new venue, designed to accommodate up to 3,500 fans, aims to fill a void in Portland’s music market and enhance the city’s cultural offerings.
The decision comes as a relief to developers who are eager to transform the currently empty gravel lot into a vibrant music destination. Jonathan Malsin of Beam Development and Andrew Colas of Colas Development Group expressed their enthusiasm in a joint statement: “Creating a 3,500-capacity venue will fill a gap in Portland’s music market and support more artists and shows. As second-generation local family businesses, we thank the many supporters of this project and look forward to the economic development and jobs this project will bring to the Central Eastside.”
The partnership with Live Nation, a leading entertainment company, has been a point of contention among some community members. While developers argue that their ties to the city and experience booking local entertainment will benefit the venue, concerns linger regarding the impact of Live Nation on Portland’s independent music scene. MusicPortland, a trade organization that advocates for local music professionals, views the collaboration with Live Nation as a potential threat to the local music ecosystem.
Locals are going to want to see old local Hip Hop acts in the venue like Cool Nutz and the LifeSavas. Both acts were featured in Small City Big Hip Hop directed and produced by Opio L. Sokoni.
Despite the mixed feelings surrounding the project, many in the area are optimistic. Musician Curtis Ayers, who also works at the nearby Bunk Bar, believes the new venue will not only address a critical gap in the market but also drive much-needed foot traffic to the Central Eastside. “This venue could bring more life to the area and support local artists,” he stated.
However, some residents have expressed concerns about the potential for increased traffic and congestion, especially near train crossings. The lack of a specified construction timeline or opening date has also left some questions unanswered.
Portland stands out as one of the few major metropolitan areas without a dedicated Live Nation venue, although the company does facilitate concerts at the Moda Center. The new venue, located near the iconic Hawthorne Bridge, promises to be a significant addition to Portland’s entertainment landscape, provided it successfully navigates the challenges ahead.
