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DEQ Says Eugene Can Move Ahead With Riverfront Development

EWEB

The State Department of Environmental Quality (or DEQ) says, with soil contaminants now removed, the city of Eugene can move ahead with development of property along the Willamette River. The 17-acre site was formerly the operations yard for Eugene Water and Electric Board.

Last year, the City of Eugene struck a deal with EWEB to purchase the property for 5.75 million in urban renewal funds. With oversite from the DEQ, the utility cleaned up soil contamination that pre-dates EWEB.
“You know back in the 1860s, 1870s, it was a pretty thriving industrial area.”
Joe Harwood is EWEB spokesman. He says the DEQ has approved the cleanup which means the city can move forward with its plans.
“I think the community is excited to see what type of mixed use development goes in there.” Harwood says, “And I know those of us at EWEB that have been involved in this process are really excited to see downtown and the river be connected.”
The city plans to work with a developer to put in shops, restaurants, offices and a park on the site along the Willamette River.
The DEQ is holding a public meeting about the property on Tuesday evening at 6 o’clock at the EWEB building.
 

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Rachael McDonald is KLCC’s host for All Things Considered on weekday afternoons. She also is the editor of the KLCC Extra, the daily digital newspaper. Rachael has a BA in English from the University of Oregon. She started out in public radio as a newsroom volunteer at KLCC in 2000.
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