Ask Eugene

Thanks for reaching out! I assume you are asking for an update on the project. 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.

Please follow the process on our City webpage. When there is movement, it will appear there.

Thank you for your inquiry. Permit number 25-03336-01 is in the early stages of review and the permit description reads “New single building multi-family housing project consisting of 24 units over three stories”.

The City partners with Lane County (our region’s lead agency on homelessness – learn more at https://www.lanecounty.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=3585881&pageId=19702305), social service providers, and other community stakeholders to reduce homelessness and its impact in our community. This complex issue requires a regional, collective approach. In that vein, the City participates on the regional Poverty & Homelessness Board, which is in the process of creating its new 5-year Strategic Plan. You can learn more about the Poverty & Homelessness Board at:  https://www.lanecounty.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=3585881&pageId=3719971 

We also participate in ACT Now Lane. Learn more about this new effort at https://actnowlane.org/  

I also want to provide some additional resources regarding the City’s efforts to stabilize the cost of housing and to mitigate the impacts of homelessness on unhoused individuals and the community. These issues were identified by the Eugene community as top priorities to improve the quality of life in Eugene with homelessness ranked #1 and housing stability ranked #2. You can learn more at https://www.eugene-or.gov/5140/Strategic-Planning and these identified urgent community needs at:

https://eugene-or.gov/5299/Housing 

https://eugene-or.gov/5298/Homelessness 

These resources will provide a good overview. The City is working to address these urgent community needs, such as the City’s shelter program https://eugene-or.gov/4903/Shelter and through our Housing Implementation Pipeline (HIP), which coordinates current and future City resources, goals, and priorities with a systems-thinking approach to housing across the full continuum from people experiencing homelessness to overall housing supply. You can learn more about the HIP at: https://www.eugene-or.gov/4889/Housing-Implementation-Pipeline-HIP 

Over the last year, we collaborated with regional partners to advocate for necessary state funding to continue to support local sheltering services. This successful effort will help fund City-supported shelter spaces, which are an essential part of the shelter network in Eugene offering safety, stability, and supportive services.

Additionally, here are a couple of great resources regarding our efforts to improve the sense of safety in Eugene: https://eugene-or.gov/5282/Safety and the Community Safety Payroll Tax.

The Community Safety Payroll Tax dollars fund, as well as add, some critical and powerful programs to make a difference in Eugene. The funding sunsets in 2027 and funds police, fire, Central Lane 9-1-1, municipal court, and prevention and social services, which are interdependent and work together. CSPT funding also supports important programs for youth. For example, in 2023, more than 350 youth were enrolled in programs and camps to empower youth to contribute to the community through workforce preparation, leadership training, outdoor adventures, building social skills and art making.

Thank you for reaching out with your observations. It is appreciated. 

The City partners with Lane County (our region’s lead agency on homelessness – learn more at https://www.lanecounty.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=3585881&pageId=19702305), social service providers, and other community stakeholders to reduce homelessness and its impact in our community. This complex issue requires a regional, collective approach. In that vein, the City participates on the regional Poverty & Homelessness Board, which is in the process of creating its new 5-year Strategic Plan. You can learn more about the Poverty & Homelessness Board at:  https://www.lanecounty.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=3585881&pageId=3719971 

We also participate in ACT Now Lane. Learn more about this new effort at https://actnowlane.org/  

I also want to provide some additional resources regarding the City’s efforts to stabilize the cost of housing and to mitigate the impacts of homelessness on unhoused individuals and the community. These issues were identified by the Eugene community as top priorities to improve the quality of life in Eugene with homelessness ranked #1 and housing stability ranked #2. You can learn more at https://www.eugene-or.gov/5140/Strategic-Planning and these identified urgent community needs at:

https://eugene-or.gov/5299/Housing 

https://eugene-or.gov/5298/Homelessness 

These resources will provide a good overview. The City is working to address these urgent community needs, such as the City’s shelter program https://eugene-or.gov/4903/Shelter and through our Housing Implementation Pipeline (HIP), which coordinates current and future City resources, goals, and priorities with a systems-thinking approach to housing across the full continuum from people experiencing homelessness to overall housing supply. You can learn more about the HIP at: https://www.eugene-or.gov/4889/Housing-Implementation-Pipeline-HIP 

Over the last year, we collaborated with regional partners  to advocate for necessary state funding to continue to support local sheltering services. This successful effort will help fund City-supported shelter spaces, which are an essential part of the shelter network in Eugene offering safety, stability, and supportive services.

Additionally, here are a couple of great resources regarding our efforts to improve the sense of safety in Eugene: https://eugene-or.gov/5282/Safety and the Community Safety Payroll Tax.

The Community Safety Payroll Tax dollars fund, as well as add, some critical and powerful programs to make a difference in Eugene. The funding sunsets in 2027 and funds police, fire, Central Lane 9-1-1, municipal court, and prevention and social services, which are interdependent and work together. CSPT funding also supports important programs for youth. For example, in 2023, more than 350 youth were enrolled in programs and camps to empower youth to contribute to the community through workforce preparation, leadership training, outdoor adventures, building social skills and art making.

Thank you for taking the time to reach out. The public comment period for the Parks and Open Space rules amendment administrative order ended July 22.

The rule that leashes must be in the hands of dog owners is already in City code. This rule update simply ensures the parks rules reflect existing City code.

Thank you for the question.

We have a voluntary registration program for Short Term Rental properties but there is no fee associated with it. Additionally, people that stay in Short Term Rentals do pay the Transient Lodging Tax (TLT) similar to hotel guests. The City of Eugene’s Transient Lodging Tax (TLT) is a 4.5 percent tax (EC 3.772) charged on all short-term overnight stays at Transient Lodging Facilities such as Hotel/Motels, RV Parks, Campgrounds, Bed & Breakfasts.  Property taxes are paid on all qualified properties in Eugene and a proportion of these taxes does go to the City as well.

Hi Leo,

In 2019, the Eugene City Council passed Ordinance No. 20609 establishing a construction excise tax (CET) in Eugene. The 0.5% tax  new residential and commercial construction creates a dedicated source of funding for affordable housing in Eugene, called the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF). Eugene’s AHTF pays for projects and programs that increase availability and access to owner and renter occupied housing that is affordable to middle- and low-income community members. The fund supports City efforts to reach housing goals outlined in the Housing Implementation Pipeline (HIP) as well as the City’s Strategic Plan. This year, $700,000 from the AHTF was awarded to support creation of 205 new affordable homes for low-income households Eugene.

Links to more info:

Affordable Housing Trust Fund Informational Flyer

Affordable Housing Trust Fund | Eugene, OR Website

Affordable Housing Trust Fund Awards | Eugene, OR Website

Thanks for your question. The intersection of River Road and Irving/Hunsaker is Eugene's first protected intersection, which increases safety for pedestrians and bike riders. The intersection previously had been identified as a dangerous one in our High Crash Corridor report for Vision Zero.

The raised concrete exists to slow drivers down as they navigate the turn. The corners are very easily avoided when driving the appropriate speed. Here is the fact sheet on the project. And here is a link to some news coverage on the intersection, of which there has been a great deal.

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.”