The Big Slowdown

It's an exciting time to be alive. I know people are concerned about energy prices, inflation and the collapse of credit and so on but I can't help but think that in the long run all of these economic negatives have positive social effects. People have already started driving less and using their bikes and public transportation more. Maybe not being able to afford a new Chinese made couch every two years is a good thing. Maybe not having the option to pay for a vacation to Cancun on credit will make people look towards their own communities for leisure.

We've been so wealthy (and getting wealthier by the minute) for so long that we've forgotten to appreciate how much we have. We've been running around in an indulgent dream for so long, inundated by ever improving toys, ceaseless entertainment etc that we've forgotten what the real world is. All the economic woes are going to slow everything down enough for us to realize how immature we've been. I think we'll emerge as a wiser country if not a wiser world

Eugene City Government Picks a Developer for Downtown

Members of the Eugene City Council voted to work with a Portland based developer this week in their project to rejuvenate downtown. They plan to add "more than one million square feet of new development consisting of retail, housing, cinema, a grocery store, a hotel and parking." I think this is a mistake. I don't think final numbers have been proposed but the project will cost the city millions and in the end I don't think it will work.

The commision seems dead set on turning downtown Eugene into a smaller version of NW 23rd in Portland. But Eugene doesn't have the economy or the will to support their plans. The project to bring Whole Foods in was controversial to begin with and eventually fizzled when Whole Foods became aware of the opposition they were up against. Contrary to what the commission believes downtown is not a dead spot. There's the weekly Saturday Market, the Hult Center, McDonald Theatre, WOW Hall, the Library, a number of small restaurant, bars and cafes. There's also a thriving art scene which benefits from the area's low lease rates. If development plans continue not only are many of the last remaining historical building in downtown going to be demolished but the few businesses and arts organizations that breathe life into the area today would likely be pushed out by increases in rent.

While our downtown isn't as polished as in parts of Portland it's rough edges don't mean that its dead. Artists usually flock to areas where they can live and find studio space cheaply. If the city commission wants the city to live up to its claim as "the world's greatest city for the arts and outdoors" it should consider the impact the development they're planning will have on our creative community.