Item B: South Willamette Concept Plan Update

Home Browse Search

South Willamette Concept Plan 2. PLANNING AREA, HISTORY, AND CURRENT History (continued) By 1950, the South Willamette district had taken on much of the commercial and residential character seen there today. Merchant supplies and services were oriented to a growing community. Businesses offered groceries, automobile services, ceramics, plumbing and cabinets to name several identified in city directories of that era. Vehicle service stations were located near 25th and 29th Avenues and the street was anchored by the drive in movie theater that occupied much of the site of the current Woodfield Station at 29th Avenue and Willamette Street. Most of the College Hill residential neighborhood to the west, north of 24th Avenue had been built with single family houses primarily between 1920 and 1950 while the residential areas south of 24th Avenue, both east and west of Willamette Street, were under construction through the 1940's -60's. Apartment buildings were being built in that era near Amazon Parkway at 24th and 27th Avenues as well as along Willamette Street south of 29th. It was a time of growth and infill of the area. A school serving the local and broader neighborhood has occupied the Willard School site since the 1960's. The current area we know as the South Willamette district, and the subject of the Concept Plan, is nestled at the end of the Willamette Valley with the South Hills and Spencer Butte visible to the south, and with College Hill flanking the district to the west. The large community park, Amazon Park lines the entire eastern border of the district affording a full range of recreation and relaxation activities to the local and larger community. Current development along Willamette Street is constructed primarily of mid -20th century auto oriented commercial building types including a grocery store, bowling alley, and a few remnant shop fronts from the 1930's and 40's. More recent buildings from the later part of the 20th century include strip retail buildings facing Willamette Street as well as drive through restaurants and convenience stores. The large Willamette Plaza shopping center, built in the 60's has been recently updated, and renamed Woodfield Station, with renovated storefronts and a new high end grocery store that serves as the anchor tenant for the center and a shopping destination for surrounding neighborhoods. Residential areas between Willamette Street and Amazon Park, College Hill and the Crest Drive neighborhood to the southwest wrap around the commercial district. Houses to the east of Willamette Street include mostly single story ranch style houses or one and a half story cottages built in the 1930's -50's. Houses in the Crest Drive area south of 29th Avenue are constructed on steep slopes, often multi -story or split - level, and designed in the Northwest Style. Houses on College Hill, mostly two story, were constructed in the 1920's and 30's, in period revival styles like the English Cottage, Bungalow and Spanish Mission styles. Occupants of neighborhood housing range from a mix of roughly half owner and rental residents in the area east of Willamette Street to primarily owner occupied on College Hill. Multiple family housing in the form of rental apartments are located at transition points between Amazon Park and the single family neighborhood as well as on the southern and northern ends of the stretch of Willamette Street within the district. A minimum width sidewalk system, interrupted in some blocks and locations, connects the district. The neighborhood faces expansive Amazon Park to the east and a shared community garden abuts the Amazon Parkway. Willard School, with extensive play fields and open space, anchors the southeast corner of the district. Current Conditions The commercial district's unique identity is one with small, locally owned businesses, well patronized by the nearby community. It serves much of south Eugene, particularly those who travel north along Willamette to schools and work, providing food, supplies and services for daily needs. The residential areas are stable and well occupied and valued by residents, many of whom have lived in the area and invested in their houses for years. Willard School has provided an elementary school program and is now occupied by a charter school. The gymnasium, playground and playfields offer recreation and abundant open space to the community. 14 ■ City of Eugene