Agenda Packet 4-15-19 Work Session

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The Bethel Area is Eugene’s largest neighborhood with over 12,000 households and already contains many vital elements that contribute to a strong, vibrant community. One of the primary points that came up within Task Team discussions was the perception of Bethel as a less desirable area of the Eugene community. Despite the significant community-building progress that has occurred within Bethel, these successes have not been communicated outside the Bethel neighborhood, and have done little to combat the misperception. Additionally, this perception is reinforced by factors such as the underutilization and underdevelopment of property along Highway 99, an important travel corridor for Eugene residents travelling through the Bethel area. The economy, while recovering around the state and region, has been slow to pick-up in the Bethel area. While the retail-service industry has grown in Eugene overall, the Bethel area has not seen that same growth, despite housing a significant portion of Eugene residents. Additionally, despite a growing food sector (restaurants, food businesses, produce markets, etc) in the Eugene area, Bethel remains in short supply of these new elements. Despite these challenges, there are a number of opportunities the Task Team identified that will play a positive role in the coming years. Residents are committed to improving the area’s vitality and committed to making changes to improve their livelihoods. Bethel School District is one of the strongest districts in the state, leading the area in graduate rates and test scores. In 2014, Willamette High School was named a 2014 Green Ribbon School, one of only 52 in the U.S. The Active Bethel Citizens group strives to make grassroots changes for the community, and the City of Eugene’s Petersen Barn is an activity hub for residents of all ages. Community events such as “We are Bethel” demonstrate the strong sense of identity found among Bethel residents. There are a number of recreation facilities and parks in the Bethel Area, with future improvements of the Golden Gardens Park and a new west Eugene YMCA proposed for the area. Engaging this energy is key to making long-term successful changes and improving the livelihoods of Bethel residents. TEAM: ADVANCING A VISION 6 April 15, 2019, Work Session – Item 1