The original item was published from 7/19/2023 1:07:12 PM to 7/27/2023 9:56:46 AM.

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Posted on: July 19, 2023

[ARCHIVED] City of Eugene and Atkins Dame celebrate milestone in Downtown Riverfront development

Mayor Vinis speaking in front of Heartwood building

The City of Eugene and developer Atkins Dame, along with general contractor Essex General Construction, celebrated a milestone in the development of the City’s new downtown riverfront neighborhood, known as "The River District,” on July 18 – the “topping off” of the first residential building. This type of ceremony celebrates the completion of a building's frame. Atkins Dame started construction on "Heartwood" in August 2022. Located on 5th Avenue, just east of the Ferry Street Bridge viaduct, the residential building is four stories with 95 market-rate apartment homes available for lease soon. The project is expected to be complete in early 2024.

“This is a very exciting step,” said City of Eugene Planning and Development Director Denny Braud. “We are in the process of realizing the community’s long-held vision and goal for the redevelopment of the former EWEB utility operations yard – a new downtown riverfront neighborhood that connects our downtown to the river.”

“We are delighted to join the City of Eugene and our development partners in celebrating this important milestone for The River District,” said Jim Atkins, Principal with Atkins Dame. “More than just a building, Heartwood represents the culmination of many years of collaboration with the City and its community members, who have long envisioned a neighborhood that is sustainable, inclusive, respectful of history, and seamlessly connected to Downtown Eugene, the Willamette River and the open spaces treasured by the community.”

Construction on the second residential building "Portal" began this spring. Located at the southwest intersection of 4th Avenue and Mill Street, the building will also be four stories with 130 market-rate apartment homes. Once fully developed, The River District will be home to about 500-1,000 new market-rate residences. The property at the northwest corner of 4th Avenue and Mill Street is reserved for an affordable housing project, which will include a minimum of 75 residences that are affordable to households with incomes up to 60% of area median income.

Other highlights include phase one of the Downtown Riverfront Park, which opened in 2022. The City recently revealed the final designs for phase two of the park, which includes the Downtown Riverfront Plaza with an engaging water feature and playground. Construction of the plaza is expected to begin in spring of 2024 and open in summer of 2025. Once completed, the one-acre plaza will connect with the Downtown Riverfront Park, nestled between multi-family housing buildings and a future restaurant.

This first residential building is estimated to have employed between 250-300 people and hired more than 30 firms from Eugene and the surrounding areas. Here are the local companies that have worked on Heartwood and other projects in The River District: