Parts of downtown Eugene are brighter at night thanks to some recent upgrades. Hundreds of light bulbs were replaced in an effort to increase safety and draw more people to the area.
City of Eugene Downtown Manager Eric Brown, said the Parks and Open Space Department swapped out 300 globe lights that had high pressure sodium bulbs for LED bulbs. He said the new lights have a cooler temperature making it easier for people to see their surroundings.
“They’re programmed to go on as the sun goes down at a low level, and they increase in brightness at 11 p.m. and then again at 2 a.m. when the bars let out,” Brown said. “Our hope is that it increases a sense of safety downtown and that encourages people to walk around and socialize downtown and frequent our local businesses.”
Brown adds because the bulbs are energy efficient they received incentives from Eugene Water and Electric Board. The bulbs will reduce consumption by about 40 percent and lower energy costs from EWEB over time.
A grant Travel Oregon helped fund the project. Onward Eugene, the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce, and EWEB also supported the project.
Copyright 2020, KLCC
