The Riverfront Research Park Master Plan, Approved 1989- Effective until 2012
A Private Office Complex on the Riverfront
The Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the Riverfront Research Park was approved by the City of Eugene in 1989, 21 years ago. This suburban-style private office complex, which was highly contentious in 1989, was approved with minimal public input in the planning process. As approved by the City of Eugene, the University of Oregon maintains unilateral authority on the rate, extent, and scale of development, and development can proceed as the University sees fit. The University has until 2012 to complete construction of the entire office complex, with the possibility of extending the development permit indefinitely in 3-year increments.
This Master Plan Does Not Belong to Us
The RRP was approved by the City of Eugene Planning Department in 1989, and was effectively extended by the city for three more years in February 2010. The plan requires nearly complete development of the University’s riverfront property, from EWEB to east of Autzen Footbridge, from the riverbanks to Franklin Boulevard.
This suburban-style office complex does not match our Aesthetic, Environmental, and Civic Values
The RRP master plan stipulates that because of the “sensitive nature of theriverfront area”, buildings along the riverfront should not betaller
than 90 feet in height. These buildings, with a total of 10 multi-story private office buildings originally planned for the University of Oregon riverfront, would be half as tall as Skinner Butte. They would be an imposing feature on the Eugene Landscape, similar in magnitude to Autzen Stadium, or the new Basketball Arena when seen from either Spencer’s or Skinner’s Buttes. Additionally, the RRP imposes the requirement for developing infrastructure and parking in the riverfront parcel. What is now open space and civic space would be turned into parking lot and private office buildings with minimal public access. The people of Eugene and the students of the University of Oregon would lose their treasured connection to the Willamette River.
A 1981 Plan Stands today- Construction Begins tomorrow!
Though our ideals for open space and civic space, responsible development adjacent to unique natural features, and stewardship of our natural resources havechanged significantly in the 21 years since the RRP was approved by the City of Eugene, the Riverfront Research Park Master Plan remains in place as it was approved. We now know that significant setbacks for development are required to maintain the ecosystem functioning of the riparian zone (along the river) in providing rainwater runoff filtering, and pollution degradation.
The Riverfront Research Park Master Plan - AS OF 2010
We All Oppose Irresponsible Riverfront Development
Over the years the University Senate has repeatedly passed motions to ban all development on the banks of the Willamette River. Similarly, the students have voiced opposition to the Planned Riverfront Research Park development. As recently as Fall 2009, at the University of Oregon Student Senate (ASUO), the issues were brought to debate. The Student Senate ultimately unanimously declared opposition to the first phase of development north of the railroad tracks. This was followed shortly thereafter by a new UO Senate resolution for the University to go back to the drawing board and engage the university community before riverfront construction. Other notable university groups have confronted the issue and spoken out. They join us, and the rest of our community, in our greater vision for a public riverfront.
