EUGENE, Ore. (KMTR) – The infamous downtown Eugene pit is now ready to reopen as Lane Community College (LCC) is just weeks away from welcoming students to its new Downtown Center.
Crews are not quite done with the facility yet, but already some departments have moved in and much of the building's fixtures and comforts have been installed.
The Adult Ed, Continuing Ed, Student Business Development Center and English as a Second Language departments are already inside. Student lounge furniture is also being put in to place now, most of which has view of downtown Eugene. The building is situated across from the Eugene Public Library on the corner of Broadway and Olive Streets.
The classrooms are being set up as well. Most have whiteboards, large projection screens and ceiling fans. Massage therapy, nursing and textile / fashion design classrooms are also located in the building along with computer labs and regular classrooms.
“This [building] really shows you what as a community we can pull off when we come together. We have over ten sources of funding for this project and we did it in one of the most difficult economic times of our lifetime. We came together and this is really going to serve the business and the community as a whole and education,” says Brett Rowlett, Governmental Affairs and Community Relations representative for Lane Community College.
The building is also very green. Rainwater collected from the roof helps flush the toilets. There are also water bottle faucets in the hallways, solar energy panels will go on the front and top of the building and, in the courtyard, there's also a green roof, which is landscaped with real plants.
The building is also maximized for lots of natural light. Most of the usable space features enormous windows.
The Downtown Center opens its doors to students on January 7, 2013. A public grand opening celebration will be held on March 15, 2013.
