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Springfield Mayor Christine Lundberg Has Three Words For You

Tiffany Eckert

Springfield Mayor Christine Lundberg faced a standing room crowd last night (Monday) to present the 2020 State of the City Address. While she lauded the success of multiple city projects, departments and partners in 2019--the mayor’s message had a strong focus on the future.

Lundberg says her city still has a reputation of getting things done and it’s about three words.

“Vision. Guts and Gravitas. We’re right on the verge of going from small city to big city,” Lundberg said, “and if you don’t have the guts and you don’t have the seriousness, the gravitas—then you are not going to get there.”

Credit Tiffany Eckert
Springfield Mayor Christine Lundberg addresses a full crowd in the City Council Chambers Monday night.

From installing smoke alarms to providing free bus passes and books, Lundberg recognized Eugene Springfield Fire and library programs for impacting thousands of residents last year.

On the economic side, Lundberg boasted 15 new businesses in the city center and that Springfield was voted “Best Downtown” by Eugene Weekly readers.

On the issue of affordable housing—Lundberg described a 70-unit apartment complex in the Hayden Bridge area being developed by Homes For Good and anticipated in 2020. The city also secured $3 million in funding to develop a new manufactured home park.

On youth homelessness, Lundberg highlighted the Surbu Pod Project, a navigation center with wrap around services, school resources and drug treatment for kids.

Credit Tiffany Eckert
Springfield Chamber of Commerce CEO Vonnie Mikkelsen received the Spirit of Springfield Leadership Award during the State of the City Address.

“Many of them are still in school. Most are not yet in trouble with the criminal justice system,” said Lundberg. “A percentage of these kids are from Springfield. They are in many cases currently hanging out in downtown Eugene. They don’t need to be locked up. They need help.”

Lundberg gave an update on the city’s most ambitious project: an indoor track and event facility. She says a site will soon be determined with the goal of having a ground breaking before the Track and Field World Championships in 2021.

Credit Tiffany Eckert
After her State of the City address, Mayor Lundberg heads out to mingle with the crowd.

Mayor Lundberg ended her address asking the audience to be a part of the future of Springfield, saying “everyone is welcome.”

Tiffany joined the KLCC News team in 2007. She studied journalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia and worked in a variety of media including television, technical writing, photography and daily print news before moving to the Pacific Northwest.
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