A former Lane Community College building could find new life as a first-of-its kind affordable housing site in downtown Eugene.
The City of Eugene bought the property for half a million dollars last year with community development block grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Amanda D’Souza is a business development analyst with the city. She said they’re exploring 1059 Willamette Street’s potential for mixed income housing.
“So for this building, we would expect at least half of the units would need to be affordable to households that earn 80% of area median income, and then the other half could be market rate housing.”
Currently, 80% of area median income comes to just over $39,000 for one person, and $56,000 for four.
The housing site would not only be the first of its kind in downtown Eugene, but it would also provide shelter for domestic violence victims.
D’Souza said it could be transformed into a mixed-use building with retail spaces on the ground floor, and apartments on the second. And ten of those would be held in partnership with the non-profit group, Womenspace.
“And provide specific services for those units. I don’t know of that type of partnership elsewhere, but it’s great for them to use this opportunity to meet more needs in the community.”
The city is taking public comments on the prospect through April 9th. Then on the 28th, the city council will review feedback and a development plan.
The site used to be part of Lane Community College, until it closed in 2013.
Copyright 2021, KLCC.
