Eugene Town Square

Downtown Eugene, Oregon is undergoing a landmark public space transformation, converting a parking structure lot into a new civic space that includes a permanent structure for the Lane County Farmers Market, and re-designing two existing park blocks immediately to the south. The result will be a unified Town Square for the heart of Eugene.

OLIN, in collaboration with award-winning local landscape architect Cameron McCarthy led an extensive public engagement process and developed a conceptual vision for the square over a six-month period; today, the team is progressing forward with the documentation and implementation of that design proposal. The new Town Square occupies a four-acre L-shaped parcel and is designed to be a dynamic and flexible space, capable of hosting a wide variety of daily activities and larger events--a goal directly informed by the public’s aspirations for the project. Key fixtures within the design will include a permanent pavilion for the city’s beloved Farmer’s Market, a splash-pad style fountain which can be deactivated to create space for large gatherings, and a stage for year-round performances. On Saturdays, the stage will continue to host live music during Eugene’s weekly Saturday Market where local artists and makers offer their unique wares. The planting design for the square incorporates a number of existing mature trees and adds a diverse palette of native flora, creating a lush and shaded park experience while also helping to mitigate the effects of stormwater runoff. The pedestrian experience is further prioritized in the heart of downtown through a thoughtful street parking plan, expanded and clarified pedestrian crossings between the three contiguous park blocks, and an abundance of seating options amidst the new foliage and pathways.

Location
Eugene, OR

Owner
City of Eugene

Status
Farmers Market Block completed 2022

Key Team Members
Tiffany Beamer, Partner-in-Charge
Chi-Tsai Liu, Project Manager