The City of Eugene and Lane County are collaborating on a vision for some of the most prominent and well-visited public facilities and spaces in Eugene.
The Eugene City Council and Lane County Board of Commissioners have formed a joint task force to explore opportunities to site City Hall, the Courthouse and the Farmers Market. The task force will look at possibilities to coordinate these efforts to provide access to essential government and public safety services that make efficient use of public resources and provide high-quality service to the community.
The task force will explore the following possibilities in regard to coordinated downtown development: a new Phase 1 City Hall on the Butterfly Lot and a Courthouse on the full City Hall block; Phase 1 of a new City Hall as currently planned and a wrap-around Courthouse; and other options that may arise.The task force will provide information to the City Council and Board of County Commissioners on November 14 regarding potential collaborative concepts that can deliver greater benefit to the community than the current plans each government has for its individual projects.
This collaboration among the City, County and Courts is an important opportunity to evaluate how each partner can support continued vitality, growth and investment downtown. This will have lasting benefit both in regard to current projects and other efforts in the future.
The task force is working with a local independent, highly-skilled facilitator – Cameron McCarthy Landscape Architecture & Planning – in order to provide an objective resource to City Council and the Board of Commissioners. Cameron McCarthy was chosen for its proven methodology on similar local projects where it evaluated potential development scenarios and alternative locations on a short timeline, providing high-quality, technically sound analysis and information, which led to creation of vibrant and inviting public spaces.
In addition to opportunities for the public to engage in the process, the task force will be reaching out to nearby businesses, property owners and partner organizations, as well as other stakeholders.
Community Comment Opportunities
Opportunities for community members to receive updates and provide initial comments will be provided throughout September and early October, to be announced soon.
Public comment time will also be available during each scheduled Joint Elected Officials meeting this fall. The first opportunity is after the presentation on Tuesday, September 20, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Harris Hall. Two more Joint Elected Official meetings are scheduled for October 19 and November 14.