Oregon Convention Center facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oregon Convention Center |
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| General information | |
| Location | Portland, Oregon |
| Address | 777 NE Martin Luther King Boulevard |
| Coordinates | 45°31′42″N 122°39′47″W / 45.5283°N 122.6631°W |
| Construction started | 1987–1988 |
| Completed | 1990 |
| Renovated | 2003 |
| Owner | Metro |
| Height | 63 m (207 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 4 |
| Floor area | approx. 1,000,000 sq ft (93,000 m2) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architecture firm | Zimmer Gunsul Frasca |
The Oregon Convention Center is a very large building in Portland, Oregon. It's a place where big meetings, shows, and events happen. It opened in 1990 and is on the east side of the Willamette River.
This center is famous for its two tall towers, which let sunlight into the building. It also has the world's biggest Foucault pendulum, which is a cool science display! The building is owned by Metro, which is the local government for the Portland area.
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Discover the Oregon Convention Center
The Oregon Convention Center was designed by a company called Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects (ZGF). It is the biggest convention center in Oregon. The building is about 1 million square feet in size.
It has a huge space for exhibits, about 255,000 square feet. This is where many different shows and displays can be set up. The center also has the largest ballroom in Portland, which is 35,000 square feet. That's a lot of space for dances or big dinners!
The original building was finished in 1990. It was made even bigger in 2003. The same architects helped design the expansion.
Special Features of the Center
Every year on September 11, the twin towers of the center light up towards the sky. This is done to remember the events of 9/11.
In 2008, the center got new and improved wireless internet for everyone. This means visitors and people setting up exhibits can easily connect to the internet.
Art and Science Inside
The Oregon Convention Center is also like a giant art gallery! It has many amazing artworks from over two dozen artists. Most of these artists are from the Pacific Northwest.
You can see paintings, glass art, mosaics, and even parts of a large Douglas fir tree. Each of the tall towers has a special artwork. In the east tower, there's a colorful 40-foot-long Chinese dragon boat hanging in the air.
In the north tower, you'll find the incredible Principia artwork by Jones/Ginzel. This is where the giant Foucault pendulum hangs. It swings over a golden circle on the floor that looks like a solar system!
Getting to the Convention Center
It's easy to get to the Oregon Convention Center using public transportation.
- The TriMet MAX train system has a special station right on Holladay Street.
- The Portland Streetcar also serves the center. A new line, now called the Loop Service, started in 2012.
- You can also take TriMet bus route 6 to get there.
Outdoor Plaza and Nearby Hotel
In 2012, a large outdoor plaza opened across the street from the center. This plaza is about 30,000 square feet. It's used for activities related to the conventions.
A large hotel called the Hyatt Regency Portland was built next to the Convention Center. It has 600 rooms and opened in December 2019. This hotel helps bring even more big conventions to Portland.
Hosting Big Events
The Oregon Convention Center has hosted many important events. For example, in 2016, it was chosen to host the 2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships. This is a big international track and field competition. For this event, a special 200-meter track was built inside the center, along with seating for 8,000 people.
Helping the Community
In March 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic, the convention center was used in a special way. It became a temporary shelter for people experiencing homelessness in Portland. This helped keep them safe and healthy during a difficult time.
See also
In Spanish: Centro de Convenciones de Oregón para niños
