This story was originally aired on August 28, 2013.
The Eugene 4-J School District is once again looking to do something with the dormant Civic Stadium property in South Eugene. In 2011, the school board rejected three development proposals for the site. But Wednesday night, it began the RFP - or proposal process - again.
Civic Stadium was built in the 1930s by the depression-era Works Progress Administration. The wooden stadium has been home to several sports team - most recently the Eugene Emeralds, who moved to PK Park in 2009. Currently the property is sitting virtually vacant, while the stadium continues to succumb to age and disrepair.
Now, whether it be a sale, trade or lease, cash-strapped 4J wants to use the property to generate funds. But this has been a dicey subject because of community support for preserving the historic structure. Board member Jim Torrey said the board has to weigh the needs of Eugene students and the community in making their final decision.
“I think this offers the opportunity for all of those - and believe me we’ve heard from I think probably all of those – an opportunity to put their best foot forward, and we’ll do the best job we can in selecting what we feel is the best applicant.”
The pro-preservation group Friends of Civic Stadium does not plan to submit a proposal like it did last time around. Instead the group’s Dennis Hebert says they plan to support other preservation proposals.
“I’m feeling still a lot of hope for it. I’m feeling as much hope as I ever did from the first day I was out there in front of ole Civic Stadium collecting signatures when they put it on the surplus property list.”
The District is tentatively scheduled to release the RFP in October with a final decision early next year. The next Board meeting on the issue is scheduled for September 18. The Eugene City Council is expected to discuss the Civic Stadium property in September as well.
Civic Stadium was built in the 1930s by the depression-era Works Progress Administration. The wooden stadium has been home to several sports team - most recently the Eugene Emeralds, who moved to PK Park in 2009. Currently the property is sitting virtually vacant, while the stadium continues to succumb to age and disrepair.
Now, whether it be a sale, trade or lease, cash-strapped 4J wants to use the property to generate funds. But this has been a dicey subject because of community support for preserving the historic structure. Board member Jim Torrey said the board has to weigh the needs of Eugene students and the community in making their final decision.
“I think this offers the opportunity for all of those - and believe me we’ve heard from I think probably all of those – an opportunity to put their best foot forward, and we’ll do the best job we can in selecting what we feel is the best applicant.”
The pro-preservation group Friends of Civic Stadium does not plan to submit a proposal like it did last time around. Instead the group’s Dennis Hebert says they plan to support other preservation proposals.
“I’m feeling still a lot of hope for it. I’m feeling as much hope as I ever did from the first day I was out there in front of ole Civic Stadium collecting signatures when they put it on the surplus property list.”
The District is tentatively scheduled to release the RFP in October with a final decision early next year. The next Board meeting on the issue is scheduled for September 18. The Eugene City Council is expected to discuss the Civic Stadium property in September as well. - See more at: http://www.klcc.org/Feature.asp?FeatureID=4793#sthash.u8DELXut.dpuf