Urban Renewal in Eugene
Urban Renewal or Tax Increment Financing is a tool used by municipalities to finance improvements and redevelopment in specific areas of a city by reinvesting the increase in the area’s property taxes. Eugene has two urban renewal districts: the Downtown Urban Renewal District and the Riverfront Urban Renewal District. More information about both districts can be found below.
City Council is considering an amendment to the Downtown Urban Renewal Plan and is holding a public hearing on May 15, 2023. See below for more information on the proposed amendment.
What's Happening with Downtown Urban Renewal?
In June 2022, when considering the future of the Downtown Urban Renewal District, City Council gave direction to bring back a list of projects that would guide work in downtown Eugene. After four months of active outreach and conversations with residents, businesses, and organizations, city staff compiled a draft list of Downtown Priorities and Projects organized into six categories: Housing, Public Safety, Social Services, Commercial Activity & Development, Public Spaces & Mobility, and Events & Culture. The possible projects were pulled from ideas from the community, staff, and existing City policies and plans.
Staff provided an overview of the draft list of Downtown Priorities and Projects to City Council (as the Urban Renewal Agency Board) at the January 25, 2023 work session. At that work session, the Agency Board directed staff to bring back a proposal to amend the Downtown Urban Renewal Plan.
2023 Proposed Amendment
The Agency Board discussed a draft proposed amendment to the Downtown Urban Renewal Plan on April 10 and April 12, and voted to initiate the amendment process. The proposed amendment would make up to $50 million available for projects to address downtown community priorities.
The proposed amendment identifies three focus areas of possible projects:
- Housing (including property acquisition for the development of housing and financial assistance to cover the cost of permits and fees for development of new housing in the downtown);
- Physical Improvements to Address Safety and Comfort (including street, curb, alley, and sidewalk improvements, streetscape projects, and pedestrian, bike, and multi-modal transportation improvements); and
- Emerging Projects Directed or Initiated by the Agency Board (could include open space, community facilities, and investments targeted at filling vacant and underused spaces).
The Agency Board has indicated they expect to direct a majority of the funds included in the proposed new spending limit to support the creation of new housing in the downtown core. The actual project funding allocations will depend on future Agency Board budgetary action and project implementation.
Click here to view a summary of the proposed amendment.
Click here to view the full ordinance for the proposed amendment.
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about urban renewal and the proposed amendment.
Upcoming Public Hearing
Council is holding a public hearing on the proposed amendment on May 15th at 5:30 PM. Members of the public wishing to speak at the public hearing can learn more on the City's public meetings webpage. Council is scheduled to review comments on June 12 and make a final decision on the proposed amendment on June 21.
Recent Amendments
2020 Downtown Urban Renewal Plan Amendment
On November 24, 2020, City Council voted to amend the Downtown Urban Renewal Plan and remove the project specific cap on tax increment funds for the Farmers Market, which will make it possible for the build out of the full Farmers Market project including the pavilion (For more details on the Farmers Market visit our project website).
Click here to view the 2020 Plan Amendment and Accompanying Reports
The 2020 Plan Amendment did not add or remove projects from the 2016 plan and did not change the district boundaries.
2016 Downtown Urban Renewal Plan Amendment
On June 13, 2016 Council amended the Downtown Urban Renewal Plan, which made the four projects eligible for urban renewal funds: High-Speed Fiber, Farmers Market Space Improvements , 1059 Willamette (Lane Community College (LCC) Old Building Redevelopment), and Park Blocks & Open Space Improvements
In addition, the approved amendment outlined a community engagement process, increased the spending limit by $19.4 million, and expanded the district boundary.
Community Review Panel
Learn more about projects approved by the Urban Renewal Agency Board and expenditures in the Downtown Urban Renewal District in the Expenditure Review Panel Reports listed below.
What’s Happening with Riverfront Urban Renewal?
Learn more about what is currently happening with the Riverfront Urban Renewal District on the Downtown Riverfront webpage, or click below to read about some of the guiding documents for the district:
- EWEB Riverfront Master Plan
- Riverfront Urban Renewal Plan (2004)
- Map of Riverfront Urban Renewal District with updated boundary
In November 2022, the Urban Renewal Agency directed staff to bring back a proposal to amend the Riverfront Urban Renewal District to expand its financial capacity. Click here to view the work session materials and watch the webcast. Staff is currently working on drafting the proposal and anticipates bringing it to the Agency Board in the summer of 2023.
River Guides
Learn more about the Riverfront Urban Renewal Advisory Committee (River Guides) who advise the Agency Board on activities in the District.
Contact Us
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Amanda D'Souza
Development Programs Manager
99 W 10th Ave
Eugene, OR 97401
Ph: 541-682-5540
Fx: 541-682-5572