Council selects local firm's plan for downtown pit

EUGENE, Ore. -- The city selected a proposal by a local developer to construct a five-story building on the vacant pit and a parking lot across from the downtown library.

The proposal by WG Development of Eugene would include 83 apartments and office space for tenants, including Pacific University.

The council took a look at the plans earlier this month and asked for more information. | STORY

The proposal runs about $34 million.

BACKGROUND

The development site includes the 1/4 block Sears building property, now a vacant pit, and the 1/8 block surface parking lot on 10th and Olive.

That lot belongs to Diamond Parking. The city has an agreement to buy the lot for $290,360 plus exchange of a city-owned lot at 12th and Oak.

Appraisals in 2006 and 2007 estimated the combined value of the properties at $1,650,000.

In 1993, the city acquired the Sears building, where the pit is now, and the half-block where the library now stands for $900,000.

In 1999, the city sought proposals for development of the site in 1999, but received limited response and set aside the project while considering locations for the new federal courthouse and a possible new city hall.

In 2002, the city issued a second call for proposals. 

In May 2003, the city reviewed four options and selected a proposal by Oregon Research Institute to build a new facility on the site. ORI later decided not to purchase and develop the site.

In 2004, the city contributed the land for the library.

In 2005, the city spent $202,000 to demolish the Sears building, leaving the pit behind.

In 2006, the city picked TK Partners to develop the site. That plan was put on hold while the proposal was incorporated into a larger redevelopment plan for the West Broadway area by KWG.

In December 2007, citing the failure of a ballot measure to extend urban renewal financing and a change in market conditions, KWG decided the project was no longer feasible. TK decided not to move forward with the development.