Eugene (KMTR) - There is a fast-track plan to finish downtown Eugene building for Lane Community College by the fall of 2012, but the LCC board seems to think that the fall of 2013 is more realistic.
The college shared its vision with the public Tuesday night, a day after the Eugene City Council approved $8 million in urban renewal money to help LCC to build a new facility on 10th Avenue.
Some of the questions people who attended the public forum asked included questions about affordable housing.
For the most part, people have high hopes.
Ross Jenson, an LCC student senator, said, “As a student, when I had to commute an hour it was very difficult to go to school and have a social life. I just didn’t have time once I got out of town to go around and do anything. But having the opportunities downtown will really benefit them culturally and give them a lot of opportunities that I didn’t have.”
“I know that their old building is just not up to par and this will bring, I think, a lot of people downtown,” said Eugene resident Kathie Wiper. “And I think they'll be able to move some of their business associations into their building and I think that will be a really strong point.”
Other people who attended the forum wanted more information about the effect LCC's new building would have on the Eugene Public Library. It's across the street from “the pit,” where LCC plans to build. LCC librarians raised concerns about the number of students who would need to use the public library. They say the school library on the south Eugene campus is typically packed from open to close.
LCC is still asking for public comments on the plans, which can be viewed on LCC’s Web site.
