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. 

2023 Amendment 

On June 12, 2023, City Council voted to amend the Downtown Urban Renewal Plan, making $50 million available for projects to address downtown community priorities. The amendment identifies three focus areas of possible projects: 

• Housing (including property acquisition for the development of housing and financial assistance to cover the cost of permits and fees for development of new housing in the downtown);
• Physical Improvements to Address Safety and Comfort (including street, curb, alley, and sidewalk improvements, streetscape projects, and pedestrian, bike, and multi-modal transportation improvements); and
• Emerging Projects Directed or Initiated by the Agency Board (could include open space, community facilities, and investments targeted at filling vacant and underused spaces). 

Council, acting as the Urban Renewal Agency Board, discussed the amendment to the Downtown Urban Renewal Plan on April 10 and April 12, and held a public hearing on May 15.  Council/Agency Board has indicated they expect to direct a majority of the funds included in the proposed new spending limit to support the creation of new housing in the downtown core. The actual project funding allocations will depend on future Agency Board budgetary action and project implementation.

Click here to view a summary of the amendment. (Updated June 13, 2023) 

Click here to view the 2023 Plan Amendment and Accompanying Reports

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about urban renewal and the amendment. 

Recent Amendments 

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 did not add or remove projects from the 2016 plan and did not change the district boundaries. 

2016 Downtown Urban Renewal Plan Amendment

On June 13, 2016 Council amended the Downtown Urban Renewal Plan, which made the four projects eligible for urban renewal funds: High-Speed Fiber, Farmers Market Space Improvements , 1059 Willamette (Lane Community College (LCC) Old Building Redevelopment), and Park Blocks & Open Space Improvements

In addition, the approved amendment outlined a community engagement process, increased the spending limit by $19.4 million, and expanded the district boundary. 

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 22
• Fiscal Year 21
• 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