City of Eugene and EWEB finalize building purchase for City Hall

After several months of due diligence, the City of Eugene completed its purchase of the former Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) headquarters site at the downtown riverfront to be transformed into Eugene's new City Hall. City Manager Sarah Medary and EWEB General Manager Frank Lawson signed closing documents and officially handed over the site keys on Tuesday.

"This is an exciting day and step for Eugene!" said City Manager Sarah Medary. "After more than a decade without a City Hall, it feels very good to say that we've finalized this purchase in a location that builds on our great history and relationship with EWEB, connects our downtown to the Willamette River and uses City funds responsibly."

"We're glad that the City of Eugene is buying EWEB's former riverfront headquarters site to maintain this location as a space for the community," said EWEB General Manager Frank Lawson. "EWEB and the City have always had a positive and productive relationship, and we're grateful to staff in both organizations for all the work they've done to make this sale happen. In short, selling the site to the City aligned with EWEB's core values and serves our customers well."

The new City Hall site, located at 500 E. 4th Ave. in Eugene, will establish a place for civic and community engagement, a public space on the river, increase ease of access to City services and provide long term savings to the community.

Several offices from within the Central Services Department, including the City Manager's Office, will relocate to the new site first. An exact timeline and list of offices has not yet been finalized. City Hall offices are expected to open to the community in early 2024. As part of the sale, EWEB will be able to maintain about 1,000 square feet of shared public-facing space where customers can make an appointment to conduct EWEB business.

The Eugene City Council voted 7-1 approving proposed terms and details for the City of Eugene to purchase the former headquarters site of the Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB) at its January 30 Special Meeting. The purchase will provide space for an accessible City Hall while retaining public ownership of a valuable public building space along the river for better access and service to the community. The terms of the deal include the 4.4-acre property, which includes two buildings and parking lots, for $12 million.