— Mar 11, 12:29 PM — 

Background on Building Acquisition

Q. When was the 511 NW Broadway building completed?
A. The 511 NW Broadway building was designed by renowned architect Lewis P. Hobart of San Francisco; his design was selected in a 1913 competition sponsored by the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. The building was individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places on April 18, 1979 and is recognized as a particularly fine example of its era’s Italian Renaissance Style. Its standing is further enhanced by its close proximity to two other National Register properties: The Union Pacific Railway Depot (1892) and the U.S. Custom’s House (1897).

Q. Who currently occupies 511 NW Broadway?
A. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security currently occupies the building.

Q. When will PNCA occupy 511 NW Broadway?
A. The public benefit conveyance for educational use of the building will be finalized once the current tenants have vacated, which may take approximately two years. We would begin the renovations at that time. Any questions about the current tenants should be directed to Bill Lesh at GSA in Portland.

Q. How large is the 511 NW Broadway building?
A. 129,700 square feet.

Q. What does the acquisition of 511 NW Broadway mean for PNCA?
A. PNCA was given 100% public benefit conveyance which means there is no cost to the College to acquire this historically valuable building, which doubles the size of the College and accommodates its rapid growth.

• It adds to the College’s existing presence in the Pearl, enabling expansion of current activities. These activities include Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Art studies, student and visiting artist exhibitions and Continuing Education. It supports the Ford Institute for Visual Education (FIVE) programs, which include FIVE Idea Studios lectures and performances, Artists in Residence and additional MFA programs.
• As a complement to the $15 million gift from Hallie Ford in May, 2007, with which PNCA has created FIVE, the 511 NW Broadway transfer allows PNCA to build on an innovative vision for the College, one that develops a model of an integrated, urban campus.
• The art college of the 21st century supports more than the growth of its own institutional footprint. If the campus of such a school can fit itself into the physical community in interesting and generous ways, then it will become an organic and vital part of the whole city. That is our goal for PNCA+FIVE and the acquisition of the 511 NW Broadway building defines a starting point for how our campus can evolve with our city.
• The addition to the PNCA campus of the 511 NW Broadway building also expands the educational, creative and cultural infrastructure for the state of Oregon.

Q. What is the PNCA growth rate?
A. Over the last two years the student body has grown by 44%. PNCA is now the fastest growing independent art college in the U.S.
• In 2006, its inaugural year, the MFA in Visual Studios had a 25% selectivity rate, drawing applicants from across the country. In its second year, the MFA program has had a 17% selectivity rate. More than 25% of the MFA applicants are from outside of the Pacific Northwest.
• The Fall 2007 incoming class was the largest ever for the College, with 195 new students, and 50% of these students are from outside of Oregon.
• Total applications to the College grew in 2007 by 31%.
• By 2012 PNCA projects a student body of 947 BFA and MFA students, which would require 200,000 sq.ft. of space.

Q. What is the size of the student body and staff?
A. PNCA’s student body is 428.
• PNCA’s full and part-time faculty numbers 70. PNCA added 15 faculty members for Fall 2007, an increase of 27% over 2006.

Q. Will 511 NW Broadway become the new headquarters for PNCA? How specifically will the building be used?
A. The main campus building will remain the headquarters for PNCA. The 511 NW Broadway building will be used for instruction with classrooms, workshops and studios occupying the majority of the space. In keeping with those purposes there will be spaces for curation and exhibits. We have not assigned specific functions to the building although we do not expect to divide the campus into graduate or undergraduate uses.

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