Some members of ConnectingEugene. From left: Lawyer Jan Wilson, Paul Cziko, Christo Brehm, Rena Schlachter, Daniel Rottenberg, Ron Lovinger, Sharon Ungerleider, Allen Hancock.
Welcome to our site. We care about the Willamette River and we care about it’s intertwining history and future with the people of Eugene and Springfield. We share a vision of open space and civic space, of wildlife and pedestrian corridor along the banks of the Willamette River. We have a vision of connectedness between the cities of Eugene and Springfield and the University of Oregon, of the people of Oregon and their Willamette River. We share this vision with the vast majority of our fellow citizens.
We are an organization of concerned citizens, faculty, students and alumni of the University of Oregon who are deeply troubled by the University’s current development trajectory along the banks of the majestic Willamette River. We come from surprisingly different backgrounds, and resonate with vastly different aspects of the River. However, we share common goals: We are an organization for building bridges between parties with disparate priorities. We are an organization for voicing our shared concerns, highlighting our shared desires, and shining new light on old problems. We are an organization for connecting Eugene. We are ConnectingEugene.
ConnectingEugene has come together at a critical time to support a new riverfront master plan for the 21st century. A parcel of land, a critical riverfront intersection between the University and the Eugene downtown is now under pressure for development under the University’s Master Plan for the Riverfront Research Park. The plan, approved by the City in 1989, shows that public riverfront is to be filled with a large suburban-style private office building and a misplaced 2-acre parking lot. Let this be clear: we are not opposed to development in general, but we are deeply troubled and saddened by these immediate plans which threaten our precious riverfront, especially at this time when a greater vision is possible.
The University’s Master Plan for the Riverfront Research Park is over twenty years old and fails to respond to significant changes in the surrounding areas, which have taken place between 1989 and today. We insist that the University of Oregon needs to create a new master plan that fits our current goals and ideals. We support a new Master Plan that will provide a lifelong connection to the river for the future generations. We demand a new master plan for the 21st Century.
We are a small organization. We are ConnectingEugene. We need your help in connecting Eugene.
[This site is under development. Text has not been reviewed by the whole group, and may not represent the opinions of all members at this point (We're very busy!!). Please check back frequently for updates - Mar 10, 2010]
Contact Us:
info@connectingeugene.org
