Urban Renewal in Eugene

What's Happening with Downtown Urban Renewal? 

In June 2022, when considering the future of the Downtown Urban Renewal District, City Council gave direction to bring back a list of projects that would guide work in downtown Eugene. After four months of active outreach and conversations with residents, businesses, and organizations, city staff compiled a draft list of Downtown Priorities and Projects organized into six categories: Housing, Public Safety, Social Services, Commercial Activity & Development, Public Spaces & Mobility, and Events & Culture. The possible projects were pulled from ideas from the community, staff, and existing City policies and plans.  

Staff provided an overview of the draft list of Downtown Priorities and Projects to City Council (as the Urban Renewal Agency Board) at the January 25, 2023 work session. At that work session, the Agency Board directed staff to bring back a proposal to amend the Downtown Urban Renewal Plan. Staff is currently working on that proposal and expect to bring it to the Agency Board in April 2023. 

2020 Downtown Urban Renewal Plan Amendment

On November 24, 2020, City Council voted to amend the Downtown Urban Renewal Plan and remove the project specific cap on tax increment funds for the Farmers Market, which will make it possible for the build out of the full Farmers Market project including the pavilion (For more details on the Farmers Market visit our project website). 

Click here to view the 2020 Plan Amendment and Accompanying Reports

The 2020 Plan Amendment does not add or remove projects from the 2016 plan and does not change the district boundaries. See below for more information about the projects included in the Downtown Urban Renewal Plan.

2016 Downtown Urban Renewal Plan Amendment

On June 13, 2016 Council amended the Downtown Urban Renewal Plan, which makes the four projects below eligible for urban renewal funds. Visit the links below to learn more about the projects:

• High-Speed Fiber
• Farmers Market Space Improvements 
• 1059 Willamette (Lane Community College (LCC) Old Building Redevelopment)
• Park Blocks & Open Space Improvements

In addition, the approved amendment: 

• Outlines a required community engagement and public hearing process Opens a New Window.  before the City Council, acting as the Agency Board, can take action to fund the projects (except high-speed fiber Opens a New Window. ). (See section below for more information.) 
• Increases the spending limit (the amount that can be spent on the projects) to $19.4 million; and 
• Expands the district boundary Opens a New Window.  by five acres to incorporate the eastern Park Block area and a portion of the City Hall block. 

A summary of City Council work sessions January through June 13, 2016 can be found here Opens a New Window. . 

Community Engagement and Public Hearing Process

The 2016 Amendment required community engagement and public input before City Council, acting as the Agency Board, could approve project spending from urban renewal funds. Sections 600 A and C of the plan provide details on the process for the Farmers Market, Park Blocks/open space, and 1059 Willamette projects, shown below. The community engagement process for each of those projects has been completed as of 2021. The fiber project had public input as part of the Eugene Community Broadband Strategic Plan. 

Community Review Panel

Learn more about projects approved by the Urban Renewal Agency Board and expenditures in the Downtown Urban Renewal District in the Expenditure Review Panel Reports listed below.

• Fiscal Year 20 
• Fiscal Year 19
  
• Fiscal Year 18
• Fiscal Year 17
• Fiscal Year 16 
• Fiscal Year 15
• Fiscal Year 14
• Fiscal Year 13 
• Fiscal Year 12
• Fiscal Year 11

How You Can Participate

Interested in staying up to date on the latest Downtown Improvement projects? Click here Opens a New Window.  or text DTWNPROJ to 22828 to subscribe to the City of Eugene Downtown Improvement Projects Mailing List! 

Sign Up Here! Opens a New Window.