The Urban Renewal Agency of Eugene is calling for developers to take on a project that promises to inject new life into the city's downtown. The North Butterfly Lot, a half-acre site ripe for redevelopment, sits in a prime position, nestled between the newly built Farmers Market Pavilion and Plaza, the conference center, and the Graduate Hotel. As the connective tissue that could unite the bustling downtown core and the emerging Market District and Downtown Riverfront Neighborhood, this project is seen as a catalyst for the area's transformation.
Qualifications are currently being solicited for teams capable of crafting an urban housing project that exemplifies thoughtful design and contributes to the revitalization of the district. The project site boasts its shovel-ready status and proximity to a series of downtown attractions, positioning it as an attractive proposition for any developer with the means and experience to realize its potential, which the Urban Renewal Agency sees as pivotal to downtown's future. City Manager Sarah Medary underscored the importance of the project in a statement released by the City of Eugene, saying, “I really believe the North Butterfly Lot is one of the most important projects for the future of downtown,” given its strategic location.
The Urban Renewal Agency's search for a partner to handle the North Butterfly Lot's redevelopment is part of Eugene's ambitious Downtown Core Housing Initiative. This initiative aims to bump up downtown housing by a staggering 50 percent from 2021 figures, translating to an addition of over 1,000 units. These efforts are a cornerstone of the broader Housing Implementation Pipeline strategy that the City has put forward in order to give downtown a new lease of life and answer the pressing housing challenges.
Once designated for a new City Hall, which has since found a home in the former Eugene Water and Electric Board Headquarters, the North Butterfly Lot's pivot toward a different destiny is a clear indicator of Eugene's adaptive approach. The lot, currently doubling as temporary parking for the Farmers Market, was reported to have been acquired from Lane County in 2019 by the City, signaling a newfound emphasis on residential development after the Farmers Market Pavilion completion last year, according to the same announcement. This change in direction is reflective of the City's strategic plan to create a more vibrant, vital, and livable downtown area.
