The city of Portland plans to hire a consultant to help decide whether to renovate or rebuild the historic James A. Banks, Sr. Exposition Building, which officials say faces millions of dollars in repairs to meet modern standards.

The 110-year-old Expo is now the oldest operating municipal arena in the country, according to city staff, and a recent eye-opening assessment prompted officials to begin considering its future.

City spokesperson Jessica Grondin said the assessment of the building estimated it needs $30 million for renovations to “continue operating in the same manner and meet modern safety and accessibility standards.”

Portland plans to contract with a firm through a competitive process to determine the potential scope and cost of a project, as well as to engage the community regarding the facility’s future, the city said in a press release Tuesday.

“The Expo is far more than just a structure — it’s a central hub that captures the essence of Portland, having served as the location for events ranging from sports games and conferences to musical performances and temporary emergency housing,” Mayor Mark Dion said. “Input from residents is crucial for deciding how we honor the Expo’s history while making sure it remains relevant for people now and in the future.”

The Expo was designed by architect Frederick Tompson, who also designed the Portland Armory (now the Regency Hotel), The Castle at Deering Oaks, Deering High School, the West mansion on the Western Promenade, and other prominent Portland buildings.

It was built in 1915 at a cost of $81,000 and has played a central role in shaping the city’s cultural history, hosting sporting events, concerts and political rallies. It’s seen performances by The Beach Boys, James Brown, Queen, and The Clash, and speeches from Babe Ruth and Barack Obama.

The building currently serves as the home for the Maine Celtics, the minor league basketball affiliate of the Boston Celtics; and Portland High School and middle school sports. Since 2020, the arena has served as an emergency shelter three times.

When the basketball team, then called the Red Claws, moved into the Expo in 2009, it made over $1 million in improvements to the building, including a new court, portable bleachers and updates to lighting and rooms used by the team.

City Council discussions on whether to renovate or replace the Expo will begin at its Housing & Economic Development Committee meeting on April 21.

The building assessment, commissioned in 2024, said even if the city completed the most urgent repairs and replacements over the next decade, that would cost $14 million.

Grondin said in response to the assessment, councilors provided guidance to staff during a September 2025 executive session to explore the cost of rebuilding the Expo.

The building, situated between Hadlock Field and Fitzpatrick Stadium on Park Avenue, is located in the city’s Recreation Open Space zone, and is surrounded by several city-owned parcels that hold federal restrictions limiting their use to outdoor recreation. Grondin said that means any Expo project would likely be limited to a public arena or other outdoor recreation.