The Eugene City Council heard testimony on a proposed $60 million dollar expansion to the 5th Street Public Market Monday night.
Brian Obie is proposing three new additions to the downtown Eugene area, including an apartment building, hotel and retail office space. Included in Monday’s requests was the city’s permission to build above the 85 foot building limit and a proposed LED rooftop sign. Some locals voiced opposition, saying the sign did not fit Eugene’s aesthetic.
Shara Tscheulin is the director of the Small Business Development Center and says the additions could boost Eugene’s economy:
“Love to see opportunities for businesses in general to expand, and what I’ve heard for the proposed expansion of the 5th Street Market is that this would help increase the economic vitality of our Eugene community.”
If the project goes through it would be the largest private development ever built in downtown Eugene. The City Council is expected to vote on the proposed requests next week.