Developer gives Portland State $5 million for art museum

PORTLAND – A prominent Portland philanthropist announced he’s donating $5 million for an art museum on the campus of Portland State University.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reported the 7,500-square-foot museum will bear Jordan Schnitzer’s name and occupy parts of two floors of Neuberger Hall.

The university is planning a $70 million renovation of the building, backed by $60 million in state bonds approved by the Oregon Legislature two years ago. Construction is expected to begin this summer and finish in 2019.

The school still must raise another $5 million to pay for the project.

The museum would be the third such facility on a Pacific Northwest campus funded in part by Schnitzer.

The University of Oregon and Washington State University also received millions from the developer to open art museums.