UO Foundation submits proposal to develop EWEB site

A development team led by the UO Foundation would redevelop the EWEB industrial site into a vibrant and locally owned riverside district, according to a concept plan unveiled Wednesday, July 30.

The concept submitted to the EWEB board calls for a mix of parks, shops and housing bordered by a public boardwalk along the Willamette River. It would renovate and reuse historic buildings on the site and create the long-sought connection between downtown and the river.

The foundation and its development partners submitted their vision for the 27-acre parcel along with two firms from outside the area. The board will weigh all three before choosing a group to buy or lease the property and begin carrying out a previously approved master plan developed with strong public involvement.

The proposals can be viewed at www.eugeneriverdistrict.com once the presentations have been made.

In its proposal, the foundation stressed its deep connection to the city and the advantage of having a developer in tune with Eugene’s values, one that will keep revenues local and isn’t looking to develop and sell. It calls the development a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a landmark extension of Eugene’s commercial and cultural center, one that will serve the city’s needs as well as help the UO.

“The success of the UO and the city of Eugene are linked; the UO is very much a part of the Eugene fabric,” the proposal states.

In addition to UO Foundation leaders Paul Weinhold and Jay Namyet, the development team includes many local planners and architects. They include Rowell Brokaw Architects, Eugene financial advisor Hugh Prichard, real estate advisor Harris Hoffman and development manager Mark Miksis of deChase Miksis Development. Hal Ferris of Spectrum Development Solutions also is on the team.

As a group, the team has developed more than 75 mixed-use projects around the Northwest. The UO proposal does not include any designated student housing but does call for both market-rate and affordable housing as part of a development mix that includes hotel space, restaurants and shops.

The plan also calls for winery owner Ed King to anchor a renovated bowtruss building – the old EWEB operations center – which could also house food and craft businesses. The plan also includes renovation and reuse of the old steam plant building.

Housing would be built along Fourth Avenue, and the proposal favors creation of a railroad quiet zone. Plans also include a “restaurant row.”

The proposal breaks the site into segments. The “Market Quarter” is near the Fifth Street Public Market, the “River Quarter” is in the center of the site and the “Steam Plant Quarter” is at the south end of the site.

Included in the proposal is the possibility of acquiring the existing EWEB headquarters building, which the utility has said it is willing to consider. Without that portion of the property, the site totals 17 acres.

The foundation’s bid is backed by the UO’s endowment, which has reached $800 million in assets. Investing in the EWEB development would serve the foundation’s mission by creating returns for the endowment and serve Eugene residents by keeping the ownership in the hands of a local organization with strong ties to the community.

“The foundation’s development interest is broader than merely financial,” the proposal states. “We want to meet our long-term investment goals, but as importantly, help ensure the intent of the master plan is carried out to transform Eugene’s river district.”

―By Greg Bolt, Public Affairs Communications