Dozens gathered in downtown Eugene today for a groundbreaking ceremony. It kicked off the 5th Street Public Market expansion…the largest private commercial development in the city’s history.
Standing behind a golden jackhammer, Obie Companies Vice President Casey Barrett talked up the $75 million expansion.
“We want urban housing, we want a vibrant commercial base in our downtown corridor create a destination.”
The jackhammer was a hit. Obie executives and city officials took turns breaking apart the hard soil near where a hotel, retail-office space, and apartment building will all be built.
Among those attending was Jacob Fox, of Homes For Good. His agency is a project partner, with plans to build a low-rent apartment building adjacent to the expansion.
“I think it’s really a sign of our growing maturity as a community that these public-private partnerships are occurring more and more.”
Construction is set to finish in fall 2020.
Copyright 2019, KLCC.