Articles - Fall 2007 - return to index
Lane's Downtown Center reaches 30-year mark
Where were you in 1977? Lane Community College was 13 years old and growing rapidly. Students filled classrooms as quickly as they could be built on main campus. More people were discovering the advantages of a community college experience, and Lane was developing a reputation as one of the best community colleges in the country.
That August, Lane acquired a parcel of prime commercial property at 1059 Willamette in downtown Eugene. Originally built in 1926, the building was known to many residents as the former Montgomery Ward department store. This had been the place for clothes, appliances and home furnishings. Soon it would be known as the place for community education.
Over the years, thousands of Lane County residents have taken classes at the Downtown Center.
Today, the center is one of Lane's busiest locations, offering the community a wide range of day and evening classes including short-term job training, English as a Second Language, and more. Students of all ages appreciate the abundant public parking, proximity to the LTD bus station and other downtown amenities.
But the current building was designed
for retail use and has limitations. There are challenges related to energy efficiency, architectural access, and technology infrastructure. Lane has received a great return on its original investment, but it's time to revisit how the community might best be served by a revitalized Downtown Center.
The Lane Board of Education is committed to affordable, accessible education and training. Lane's core value of accessibility calls on us to reduce barriers to learning. The Downtown Center has stood as a shining example of accessibility over time, and can continue to serve as the first step to college.
A planning process is underway to determine community needs and develop recommendations. A renovated facility is a realistic goal for our community. An appeal for public support is a very real possibility in the near future.
What will the future Downtown Center look like? With the continued support of the citizens of Lane County, a newly invigorated Downtown Center will continue to serve our community for years to come.
