The Growing Pains of a Changing City

Our city of Eugene is known for its rainy season, outdoor recreation, the University of Oregon, and as “TrackTown USA” or “The Emerald City,” complimenting the overwhelming prevalence of runners and greenery. As Eugene has grown from a quaint logging town to something some would accept as a city, many changes in culture and pace have followed. While the heart of Eugene has been sustained through its abundance of the arts, local farms, and scenery, many have felt a significant shift within this community the past decade. 

Prior to the founding of Eugene, settled by Eugene Skinner in 1846, the land and areas surrounding it were inhabited by the Native American Kalapuya tribe for several centuries. Located along the Willamette river, Eugene was laid out on the Willamette “bottomland” starting in 1852, and Eugene City was incorporated by 1862. In 1871, the Oregon California railroad came along, bringing to the area lumber and agriculture opportunities, which stimulated the growth of Eugene. 

The University of Oregon was founded in 1872, later followed by Lane Community College and other higher education institutions. These desirable institutions provided an economic bubble in which the lumber, agriculture and advancements in food processing and minor industry relied on. With forest surrounding the city, by the mid-20th-century, more than half of Lane County’s workforce was employed by lumber industries, making Eugene a center for processing and transporting lumber to surrounding towns. With rich soils in the Willamette Valley, and the railroad connecting Eugene and Portland, the region became focused on agriculture and exported crops of corn, cherries, prunes, walnuts, and most importantly, hazelnuts. 

Historically, racial inequalities were also present in Eugene, as well as the rest of Oregon. In 1924, the Register-Guard reported that large crowds were present when the Ku Klux Klan paraded through town, ending with a cross burned into Skinner Butte. Many monuments and buildings were named after individuals who participated in the KKK, or who had other racist connections. 

In the late 1960s and throughout the ’70s, Eugene gained a reputation for more liberal thinking and “alternative lifestyles.” The farmers market started in 1970, bringing the community together downtown; the White Bird clinic opened the same year.Within the next few years, businesses such as the Kiva and Sundance Natural Grocers were established. The Oregon Country Fair, which started in 1969, drew tens of thousands for the three-day celebration. Valley River Center opened in the late 1970s and became home for larger department stores, while most of downtown was closed off to traffic in an attempt to create community and pedestrian-friendly shopping. This idea failed, however, and traffic was reintroduced by the end of the 20th century. 

In 1970, The National Bike Committee was founded, aiming to create designated bike lanes and bike paths across town. Then-student Phil Knight ran for legendary coach Bill Bowerman at UO, and later co-founded Nike. 

Eugene’s performing arts centers include the Hult Center, Very Little Theater, Shedd Institute, the Cuthbert Amphitheater, WOW Hall, The McDonald Theater, and various other venues that host both national and international acts and music. The many  performing groups from Eugene include the Eugene Ballet Company, Eugene Symphony, Eugene Opera, and these groups regularly perform at those venues. 

Now, Eugene’s population has grown to around 175,000 (as of 2022), continuing with a steady rate of growth over the past few decades. Oregon’s history shows a continued lack of diversity, with more than 75 percent of the population being white. The main sources of income stem from PeaceHealth Medical Group, The University of Oregon, and Eugene school districts. Lumber and other related wood production has continued to be Oregon’s, and Eugene’s, largest industry.   

Tech enthusiasts and those with careers related to technology have also been drawn to this area, with a growing opportunity for that here.  The University of Oregon has a popular football program, along with many other successful sports teams, with large contributions supporting those coming from Phil Knight. Eugene received global attention (2022), with the World Athletics Championships held at the new and state-of-the-art Hayward Field. The construction of Hayward Field was completed in spring of 2020, and that along with various other large apartment complexes and building projects, have transformed the campus into something many would expect in a larger city.  

People looking for some fresh air often head to spaces such as Spencer Butte, Mt. Pisgah, or one of the many bike paths that weave through the city and surrounding areas. While active people tend to thrive in this environment, those who like to stay indoors can find themselves browsing through an art gallery, museum, at a movie, or possibly at what many would consider the heart of Eugene, 5th Street Public Market. 

With the addition of the Gordon Hotel, 5th Street has expanded to be a main tourist and local attraction, with an added bonus of the new Farmers Market pavilion, and the Hult Center that are within walking distance.  Eugene also has a decent food and beverage scene, with enough variety that there should be a place for everyone. Many restaurants and businesses struggled to make it through the pandemic, allowing for some new gems to emerge, but not without having to say some hard goodbyes.  

With these highlights in mind, Eugene has also had its fair share of struggle over the past decade, with increasing prices, the housing crisis, and lack of community.  Downtown has struggled to stay relevant and to be a place where everyone can feel safe and welcome. While pockets of the downtown area have sustained some level of attractiveness, the majority of places people go to shop or hang out exist outside of the true downtown area. With the rise of drug use, unhoused populations, and crime in Eugene, Downtown isn’t alone in this fight to remain a viable place for community. The lack of “third places” where people can hang out with new and old friends seems to be an increasing issue for this town. While there are bowling alleys and malls and parks, these places have struggled to feel charming and attractive, rather than dingy and low, which only adds to the problem. Traffic in Eugene has also increased, with the infrastructure and layout of the city not designed to support the growing population. None of these issues are permanent, but have dampened the culture and growth of unique ideas and projects for this city.  

With all these ideas in mind, everyone’s experience here may be a little different. But it’s safe to say that Eugene is not going to be a good fit for everyone, nor is any city. Eugene is growing and with growth, comes struggle. Eugene folks are known for being creative, and by using those creative muscles, many of these problems will be resolved or at least improved. For this once small logging town the future will be interesting, just as the past has been.

By Alyssa Coffman

Full magazine PDF here: