Eugene Business

A number of factors influence the health of a local economy. Day in and day out, we work at the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce to track and shape the many various policy decisions made in our community. While many of them appear relatively minor, they all affect different aspects of our business community and our larger community’s health and well being and therefore deserve attention from area business leaders.

Here are just a few items that are progressing quietly, but that could be very consequential: 
 

• The West Eugene EmX Extension would yield a bus rapid transit line along the West 11th Avenue corridor similar to that currently running between the downtown Eugene and downtown Springfield stations along Franklin Blvd. This may provide some relief and stimulus to an area that is experiencing significant development and transportation challenges. By bringing $75 million in federal and state funds to our community, Lane Transit District could begin construction on a major phase of the popular rapid transit lines. Following completion of federal environmental requirements, the final approval of the project is expected in 2010.
   
• The Walnut Station Mixed Use Center is Eugene’s first foray into the use of form based codes. Form based code is a planning approach that stresses form over function. That is, code determines what the building looks like, but does not regulate, or regulates very loosely, the use of buildings in the area. The hope is that Walnut Station will become a walkable, vibrant, mixed-use center based around the EmX rapid transit line and the UO arena. The plan will require dramatic changes to Franklin Bvld and surrounding businesses. There is a lot of promise to this plan, but we’ll continue to play a role in efforts to ensure that it is properly implemented.
   
• EWEB is moving ahead on a master plan for its riverfront property. While the future use is not yet determined, we’re hopeful that this space by the Willamette River will be used to create a vibrant, active area to attract local businesses and restaurants to the scenic area now occupied by EWEB facilities. The proximity to the river, the connection to the downtown area and the adjacency to Eugene’s federal courthouse area make this property a prime spot for development and for the future of the city’s economy.
   
• The Eugene Comprehensive Land Assessment will help determine how Eugene addresses its shortage of commercial, industrial lands. In May 2008, Eugene hired a consultant to conduct a land study regarding the city’s Urban Growth Boundary. This project began in June 2008 and completion is anticipated by December 2009. This all needs to be accomplished to determine where new residents will live, where they will work, and how transportation and government services need to change over time. A variety of Chamber and business leaders sit on the Citizen Advisory Committee, helping lead the project forward to a productive outcome.

While we often grow frustrated with the slow pace of public projects in our community, there certainly is no shortage of processes at any time. As these various plans come to fruition, we should all be optimistic that they’ll help our region emerge from the recession poised to grow our local economy and capitalize on future opportunity. At the same time they are issues that call for the continued involvement of the Eugene Chamber and area business leaders to ensure that they equally compliment a vibrant economy and the livability of our community.