Report identifies interest in Hynix

By Molly Blancett KVAL News Published: May 24, 2012 at 5:59 PM PDT

EUGENE, Ore. -- The old Hynix building in West Eugene is empty right now. It's been that way since 2008 when the semi-conductor maker laid off more than 1,000 people. A new report claims a Seattle-based real estate investor is ready to bring life back to this 200-acre plant.

The report points to Mike McKernan of Seattle-based Real Property Investors, LLC. KVAL News talked to McKernan on the phone.

"I don't have any comment at this time," said McKernan. "It's way too premature."

This isn't the first time a company has shown interest in the facility. Hope ran high in 2010 when rumors swirled that South Korean company, Uni-Chem, wanted to move in.

Representatives from Uni-Chem came to Eugene and met with Mayor Kitty Piercy, but talks broke off and the deal fell through.

Since then, there's been little to no word or promise of anyone filling the campus until now. KVAL News also left messages for Jack Roberts with Lane Metro Partnership. He did not return the call.