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The city is poised to purchase
one of the last big pieces of undeveloped land in Eugene, but
the deal's not yet sealed. The 39-acre plot — bordered by
Nectar Way, Garnet Road and Dillard Road in south Eugene —
includes steep hills, seasonal creeks, large trees and wetlands.
According to planning project manager Andrea Riner, the city's
first priority is to protect the stream corridors that connect
the plot with 54 acres of open space that the city bought several
years ago. The land can then be integrated into the Ridgeline
Trail system.
The city was interested in acquiring the plot when Portland
developer Joe Green bought it for $325,000 last spring. Now Green
is offering to sell it to the city for $600,000, or he will develop
it. Preliminary discussions about development include building
new roads and more than 100 houses.
Southeast Eugene resident Lisa Warnes is furious that the city
didn't purchase the plot last spring, when the pricetag was lower.
"The city could have bought it at a much better price, and
they didn't. They dropped the ball on it. They owe it to the city
to buy it now, at any price," says Warnes.
The city has earmarked $300,000 — a combination of stormwater
fees and funds from the 1998 Parks and Open Space bond measure
— to purchase the property. Oregon State Parks recently matched
this amount with an additional $300,000. But there is one last
obstacle before the city can finalize the purchase by Green's
Oct. 1 deadline: appraisal of the property at or above $600,000.
Riner is optimistic about acquiring the plot, but she says that
if the appraisal does not support the purchase price, the deal
may fall through. "In terms of property acquisition, we're
in a pretty good place," says Riner, "but obviously,
the appraisal's outcome is important."
The neighbors of southeast Eugene urge concerned citizens to
contact the Parks and Open Spaces Division to voice support for
the city's purchase of this property.
To do so, call Riner at 682-4909, or e-mail
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