Eugene Town Square: Three Concepts

Eugene Town Square design concepts on display at the July 18, 2019 "Block Party" (my photo)

The City of Eugene and the design team led by Cameron McCarthy Landscape Architecture & Planning unveiled three concepts this past Thursday for Eugene Town Square in downtown Eugene. The big reveal took place as a festive outdoor "block party" on the Park Blocks at 8th Avenue and Oak Street. The event is part of an especially robust public involvement process, one the City hopes will continue to attract broad public representation and ultimately realize a new Town Square that fulfills the needs and aspirations of our community. 

The three concepts fall along a spectrum of change and cost ranging from independent blocks that can work together to a unified space with sub-areas that can work independently. You can find a bunch of information about the concepts on the project's website, but I'll provide a summary of each scheme here: 

Concept 1

CONCEPT 1: 

According to Cameron McCarthy, the first concept celebrates natural design shapes (using curving forms and lush plant beds) and creates smaller gathering spaces on each block. The scope of the proposed improvements is the smallest of the three concepts, maintaining the current feel of the Park Blocks while creating a new Farmers Market and City Hall block. The design allows each of the three blocks to function and feel independent while providing an opportunity for all to work together during large events. The limits of work on each block extends only to the curb line (street improvements are not included) and the amount of special paving is focused in key areas. Concept 1 provides a single small, covered stage on the east Park Block. The design does not include storage or public restrooms and the Farmers Market Pavilion is a simple, open-air structure. Concept 1 aims to meet the project budget, but if realized the interactive fountain and Farmers Market Pavilion as shown would exceed the available funding. 

Concept 2

CONCEPT 2: 

The second concept is a contemporary design comprised of rectangular shapes and trees lining the streets and the entry to the new City Hall. A narrowed Oak Street and a west-facing stage on the east side foster a strong connection between the two Park Blocks. The stage is larger than the one proposed as part of Concept 1, has a wood floor for performances, a large covering, and is connected to a medium-sized restroom and storage building. The Farmers Market block feels independent from the Park Blocks but can connect across 8th Ave for larger events. The Farmers Market Pavilion is open air, uses higher quality materials, blends architecturally with City Hall, and includes restrooms and storage. The amount of specialty paving is increased and West, South, and East Park Streets and Oak Street (between South Park and 8th Avenue) are at grade with adjacent sidewalks. This option exceeds the draft budget. 

Concept 3

CONCEPT 3: 

Concept Three creates a unified Town Square, wherein all the blocks act as one but can also be used independently. The tree planting pays tribute to the site’s history to a time when “Rest Park” was filled with groves of sycamore trees. Both Park Blocks have a large covered stage (one featuring a wood floor) and structures for restrooms, storage, and/or an information kiosk/park ambassador. The Farmers Market Pavilion is fully enclosed but will have folding or roll up doors allowing it to become open air. It will also include restrooms and storage. Concept 3 provides the largest amount of specialty paving and provides a unifying, interactive water feature on each block. Large lawn panels, coupled with the groves of trees provide ample space for visitors to gather, exercise, dine, and relax. Notably, Concept 3 reestablishes North Park Street between City Hall and the Farmers Market Pavilion. If fully realized, this option would be the most expensive of the three options. 

The concepts are only meant as “big ideas,” starting points for further conversations about how the new Eugene Town Square might take shape. Ultimately, the final design may combine elements from all three concepts. 

So, what do I think? Fundamentally, to be successful Eugene Town Square will need to generate its own life. This means people should want to be there because it pleases them of its own accord. It cannot rely solely upon persistent programming of events for its vitality. The quality of its design will be of paramount importance. So too will its appeal to historical continuity and perceived significance to our city’s sense of identity. 

Town Square’s character will be defined in part by the buildings that give it shape and by its color, texture, and complexity. The surrounding structures—the Wells Fargo Bank, Park Place Building, South Park Building, Lane County Courthouse, Smeede Hotel, Tiffany Building, the forthcoming development at 8th & Pearl, and the future Eugene City Hall—are or will be of sufficient proportions to visually contain Town Square. At the moment, those surrounding buildings mostly turn their backs toward the space. My hope is the addition of the Farmers Market pavilion and City Hall will generate a level of urban energy commensurate with Town Square’s civic importance and historic significance. That energy will in turn prompt surrounding property owners to make improvements to their buildings. Ideally, these improvements would liven the edges of Town Square and further cement it as downtown Eugene’s center of gravity. 

All three schemes appear primed to erase the last vestiges of the current Park Blocks once-distinctive mid-century Modern vocabulary, which would be a shame. The 1958 design by Wilmsen Endicott Architects and landscape architect Lloyd Bond drew its inspiration from modern art of the early 20th century, including that of painter Piet Mondrian (think Broadway Boogie Woogie). Public art in the park includes sculptures by Jan Zach and Tom Hardy, both well-known mid-century modern northwest artists. There were once two fountains in the east park block, now gone. 

I would likewise lament the loss of any of the existing trees on the site, particularly the largest specimens. All of the Town Square concepts suggest removal and replacement of some of the current foliage as necessary to achieve specific effects, such as enhanced connections across 8th Avenue to the Farmers Market and City Hall. I’m hopeful the ultimate design will minimize the removal of the most attractive trees. 

Concept 3 rendering

In my opinion, none of the concepts hits the mark yet. That said, I do think a composite plan comprised of selected features may hold promise. In no specific order, these are: 

• No curbs at 8^th Avenue, Oak Street south of 8th, or Park Street 
• Narrowed streets 
• Permanent stage on the SE Park Block with the potential for an expanded performance space 
• Enclosed Farmers Market Pavilion with heating, restrooms, and storage
• South-facing City Hall plaza with drop-off driveway and connection to Farmers Market Plaza
• Medium amount of lawn area

The City won’t be able to immediately realize a complete vision of the Town Square. Even Concept 1—the least expensive option on the table—would exceed the draft budget if the City chooses to execute all of the project components. Realistically then, what can we expect? I doubt the political will exists to ask Eugene voters to support project funding above and beyond what is presently earmarked for the project. 

Given this fiscal dilemma, I was surprised to see mention of below-grade parking options for the Town Square project. Constructing underground parking is not cheap. The estimated cost for one level accommodating 105 vehicle parking spaces is $10 million; two levels with 210 total spaces is $18 million. While too many of us today still drive everywhere and all the time, the future may be very different once autonomous vehicles become commonplace and more attractive public transit options exist. Literally sinking money into holes in the ground—holes that resist adaptation for other uses once today’s cars become obsolete—makes little sense to me. Tomorrow’s urban landscape is going to be different, so why design it as if our motoring ways will never end?

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Cameron McCarthy and City staff recognize and value the diversity of thoughts that contribute toward the making of a great public space. They’re committed to giving any and all a voice in the process, and being responsive to ideas, critiques, comments, and praise. They will continue to seek input from the public and organizations associated with the arts, persons with disabilities, housing, public safety, sustainability, equity & inclusion, and public transportation. 

If you missed Thursday’s Block Party, opportunities to become involved in the Eugene Town Square design process still remain. You can share your opinion about the three current concepts by participating in the online survey. The next public event will take place sometime during September, when the team will present a single concept that incorporates everything learned from the feedback to the three current design options. That single concept will be further refined and along with a summary report then presented in a public hearing scheduled for October.