Ask Eugene

Thank you for your question. Yes. Unfortunately, the tree was vandalized in November. We removed the plaque for safekeeping until the tree situation has been resolved. We are monitoring the stump for regrowth this spring, but in the meantime, we had already taken cuttings of the tree that we have been growing at a Hendricks Park greenhouse. When a plan for replacement or other resolution has been decided in partnership with the Asian American Council of Oregon, we will share with the public.

“No – we are not giving houses. While the City of Eugene does not own, operate, build, or manage housing, we collaborate with non-profit and other affordable housing providers. This link provides more information: Looking for an Affordable Home? | Eugene, OR Website.”

Hello, and thank you for the question. 

The City primarily uses crash data to prioritize which streets get safety improvements such as roundabouts. Our data show the crash history at Arcadia, Harlow and Garden Way is relatively minor, with many other streets and intersections in the city having more significant crash history. We do hear that the traffic gets backed up twice a day due to school pick-up and drop-off, but at this time there aren’t plans to make changes to the intersections.

Thank you for your question. I wish we had better news to share. 

Although City staff were encouraged by the issuance of the crossing order in 2023, the project has made no progress since that time. The City of Eugene has continued to try to work collaboratively with Union Pacific and with the positive intent of keeping the process moving forward.  

Unfortunately, Union Pacific has not been a willing and active partner in making the proposed crossing safety improvements. City staff are working closely with representatives from ODOT Rail Safety on the possible next steps.

Thank you for reaching out to the City with your concerns. Homelessness in Eugene is a very complex issue, and the City addresses it in many ways, from providing support programs to partnering with local community organizations who offer services to our unhoused population. 

To answer your question briefly, “people on the street who want to come inside,” the City partners with St. Vincent De Paul to open multiple warming centers in Eugene and Springfield where people can stay overnight. LTD offers free rides to these centers, and teams of volunteers travel the streets looking for people to transport as well. St. Vincent de Paul is always seeking volunteers, so if you’d like to get involved, please visit their volunteer website.

The City continues to invest in housing and homeless operations to support public and non-profit partnerships in the community, Rest Stop operations, mental health service in downtown Eugene, and creates capacity to realize new housing projects. Staff also consistently provide people experiencing homelessness with information on local shelter options and community services.

 As far as funding, the majority of the money for the reclamation of Amazon Creek near South Eugene High School came from a federal grant. The City is not funding a new baseball stadium.  

Hello and thank you for your question,
We have a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers on the topic of annexation. Check it out here: https://www.eugene-or.gov/DocumentCenter/View/55317/Annexation-FAQs?bidId=

If you still have questions after checking out that information feel free to contact landuseinfo@eugene-or.gov for further questions.

Thanks for reaching out! The three areas you mention are not City property. LTD, ODOT and Shari's (or that property owner) are responsible for maintenance. Community members can report code violations on private property by calling Code Compliance at (541) 682-5819.

Hello, Anders,

Thanks for writing! Yes, there are major plans in the works for Franklin Boulevard, which technically is a state highway but, as you note, also an important thoroughfare in the University District. The plans have been in the works for several years, and multiple rounds of community engagement have been completed. Currently, we are working on the design of phase one, which is the only phase that is funded. You can find more information about the history and status on the project website. I also encourage you to sign up for the project newsletter if you'd like to stay up to date on our progress during your time at UO.

The Skinner Butte summit parking lot has reopened to vehicles.

This summer, the lot was closed to reduce fire risks and address concerns about illicit activities in the area. During that time, many community members shared that they felt safer with limited vehicle access, asking to keep it that way.

In response, we are considering restricting motorized vehicle access to the summit from Tuesday through Saturday, with access open on Sundays and Mondays.

Take a quick 2-minute survey to share your thoughts on the proposed changes: surveymonkey.com/r/skinnerbutte. Survey closes October 31.

When looking at the possible social and economic impacts of the Cascadia earthquake and tsunami, it is important to know how to properly prepare but also understand what to do in the event of the earthquake and what recovery looks like. The City of Eugene Emergency Plans page outlines the Emergency Operations Plan and the Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan, both of which are great resources to better understand how the city plans to prepare and respond to emergencies. 

As for individual/community preparedness, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) website and Ready.gov are great resources. Ready.gov has a structured “before, during, and after” that gives a great general overview of how to best prepare, adapt, and recover from earthquakes. OEM outlines Cascadia Subduction Zone specifics such as preparedness strategies for individuals, communities, and businesses, as well as the history of the subduction zone, and sources for people to map their area.