THE CULTURAL CENTER COMPLEX PROPOSAL

Let us begin in earnest a feasibility study and community conversation toward the development of a community and regional cultural center complex that may include the arts, science/technology and supporting  commercial and retail outlets.

• Background

The City Hall/EWEB site, site location and building are too important of an asset to the Eugene/Springfield and Southern Willamette Valley Community to be developed by a private developer. This site and building have been significant common city assets and from our initial investigations could well be remodeled to flourish as both City Hall and multi-purpose community center. Our community has a regional Performing Arts Center but it lacks a regional Cultural Center Complex. Eugene is one of the largest cities in the US without such a space. The current site within the Riverfront Park development, the connection to Downtown Eugene, the State Greenway, the Large Riverfront Parks, and 

the connection to the University would all be supported  by a Cultural Center Complex. The current building is not only significant architecturally but it has a very strong visual connection within the community, the new Riverfront Park and the river. What we collectively make, and support is a direct reflection of our “pride of place” and who 

we are as a community and what we have achieved. The current riverfront housing development proposal has been modified and those modifications have been accepted by the City of Eugene. The developer’s current proposal has eliminated the retail and commercial spaces previously proposed. Currently, there is only one commercial site with proposed restaurant use. This will result in less opportunity for the larger community to be connected, engaged or drawn to the river within our daily life, like what currently exists. 

The result of the current plan will be a benefit only for selected walkers, joggers. bicycle riders and those living within the proposed housing development. This suggests that the community built a new park for the benefit of the developer’s project.

• Concept

The development of a Community Cultural Center complex within the existing City Hall/EWEB structure plus the development of the adjacent remaining sites with support functions. This concept would provide that missing community ingredient.

• Proposal

To form an umbrella organization to develop, study, investigate and  understand the community’s current and future interest in its Culture and History. This “understanding” would lead to the testing and the development of a masterplan that also acknowledges adjacent planned uses and possible development costs. Once potential users are identified, 

this study and effort would assist in forming possible existing or new organizations/ agencies whose interests may be housed within the complex. In addition to the City Hall, some current community identified uses of the complex might be:

A Community Art Gallery and Exhibition Space

Community Ceremonial Spaces with Meeting and Presentation Spaces

A Rivers Museum

A Science Factory

The National Hippie Hall of Fame

Commercial support uses for the proposed housing development and 

adjacent developments.

A Historical Center/Lane Count/City Historical Museums

Connection attractions to the river/Rivers Museum

Annex or exhibit additions to existing cultural facilities within the community.

Childcare Center

This is understandably a very large task by committed community members and worth all the necessary effort.This exploration must be given time to germinate, focus to be achieved. This Cultural Center Complex will be an unparalleled asset for our region and community’s future. It will create a beautiful and significant City Center that strongly “connects with the River”, and will support and engage the community and the region for generations 

to come.