PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland's South Waterfront has grown a lot over the years. Now, an entertainment company thinks the area is ready for a 10,000-seat amphitheater.
National events promoter and venue operator Live Nation is eyeing one of the last undeveloped - or not re-developed - plots in that area for an outdoor venue.
It was once an early 1900s warship scrapyard and successful operation. All around Zidell Yards, you can see modern development, condos and Oregon Health Science & University (OHSU) buildings.
Generations later, the land between Tilikum Crossing and the Ross Island Bridge is still in the hands of the Zidell family. The site is currently being used as a parking lot and has seen popular events there over the years.
The Zidells once envisioned putting in a high-rise development, but scrapped the plans because of a lack of funding from the city.
Now, they're working with Live Nation and local architects to build a temporary outdoor venue with a seven-year lease.
“A project like that would bring a lot of additional traffic, it would bring a lot of additional noise,” said nearby resident Winston Meier. "And something that high profile I'm sure would, again, boost cost of living. I also think there are just more important projects for people to be invested in.”
KGW found mixed takes when a crew hit the streets to find out what people who live and work in the area think about the proposal.
“I think it’d be cool. I mean, I think there's a lack of big venues that aren't stadiums. And stadiums just have horrible acoustics,” said Reed Hall, who works at OHSU. "Might bring bigger acts to the area."
Some locals and visitors foresee it boosting business for local eateries and bars, or potentially bringing in new restaurants. But they don’t think that outweighs the traffic and noise the venue would bring to the quiet neighborhood.
“For this to get any busier, I think it would take away the beauty of it,” visitor Isha Kane said.
“I think it would cause a lot of new traffic and we always struggle with traffic because people are moving to Portland in droves. So I don’t know if I would necessarily support it from the get-go,” said Portland native Marielle Norris.
OHSU, Zidell Yards’ next door neighbor, asked Live Nation to study potential noise impacts out of concern for patients and families and potential impacts on night classes. An OHSU spokesperson said they're grateful the company agreed to that.
In a statement to KGW on Wednesday, Jay Zidell said:
“Our vision for Zidell Yards has always included a strong and vibrant arts and culture element. We believe Live Nation’s interest in building an outdoor amphitheater at Zidell Yards is consistent with this vision and a great interim use of our property. While it is still early in the design process, we’re eager to partner with Live Nation to bring live music performances to Portlanders that they might not otherwise have the chance to enjoy.”
It is still very early on in the process. The city said developers are in the pre-application phase and talking to the city’s land use division, neighbors and other stakeholders.
The next step is a South Waterfront Greenway review and a design review. Developers have to get approvals before any permits are issued, so city officials said it is difficult to speculate on a timeline.
As for the other Live Nation venue set for the old Nordstrom store at the Lloyd Center, the center’s general manager, Allie Stewart, said Live Nation is still working through the city's approval and permitting process. Stewart said she doesn't know when they'll break ground yet.
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