Articles - Winter 2010 - return to index
Downtown Offers an Exciting Prospect
A little more than a year ago, voters approved an $83 million bond levy to upgrade aging infrastructure and classrooms, labs and technology at Lane Community College.
This included funding to renew Lane’s downtown Eugene center. Built in the 1930s as a Montgomery Wards store, the current center has housed college programs since the late 1970s.
Now Lane has an opportunity to construct a new building geared to 21st century learning, at 10th and Charnelton across from the Eugene City Library. (Interestingly, this is the site of the old Sear’s building.)
Rather than trying again to refurbish an old building designed for retail business, Lane’s Board of Education believes a new facility would provide the best learning environment for our downtown programs. We would also house our energy management, small business, and senior programs in the new building. The building itself would be a model of sustainability and a major contribution to downtown revitalization.
We’re looking at a win-win-win situation: a facility that meets Lane’s educational and sustainability goals, supports city redevelopment goals, and provides the entire community with an outstanding educational facility for decades to come.
— Pat Albright, Chair, Lane Community College Board of Education
