At the moment, the Fairmount neighborhood lies quiet. Located just east of the University’s residence halls, and with Hendricks Park at its border, the neighborhood serves as a docile environment for residents and visitors alike. Over the next few years, however, all of that is likely to change. That’s because of the University’s plan to construct a new basketball arena at the former site of Williams’ Bakery – right in Fairmount’s front yard.
There is currently no concrete plan for when construction on the arena will begin. But should the Oregon Legislature approve of the $200 million in proposed bonds this month – which all signs indicate will happen – estimates point to construction on the arena breaking ground following the 2008 Olympic Trials, with the arena being ready for the start of the 2010 basketball season.
It’s a fact that doesn’t sit well with some neighborhood residents, who have voiced displeasure over feeling left out of the negotiation process. Fairmount Neighborhood Association Co-chair Sue Jakabosky has been especially vocal. Throughout the negotiation process, she has cited land value concerns, adverse traffic conditions, litter and disorderly conduct as problems that will arise in the wake of the arena’s construction.
University President Dave Frohnmayer sought to ease those concerns when he sent a letter to neighborhood residents highlighting the steps the University plans on taking in order to alleviate the burdens Fairmount will face adjusting to life with the new court.
Frohnmayer stressed that a “buffer” of campus property will remain between the neighborhood and arena, preventing area homes from lying directly next door to the arena. He also said that litter crews would be hired to clean the streets and surrounding areas after each event held there.
But neither of those points address the main concerns stressed by the residents to be most affected. Many are worried that a new, 12,500-capacity basketball arena will turn the area’s parking situation into a complete mess. People looking for parking will naturally look for spaces closer to the arena first, and park further from there as spaces fill. Fairmount Neighborhood will bear the brunt of this traffic influx. A consistent, reliable public transportation system needs to be established to keep automotive traffic to a minimum.
The second concern involves the simple reality of having 12,500 raucous basketball fans cheer and stomp their feet next door. Family housing students and non-University residents comprise much of the neighborhood’s population. So it’s little surprise that the prospect of redirecting thousands of fans their way has been met with a collective groan.
The University is going to build its arena, as well as it should. However, being mindful of the Fairmount residents and their needs should be just as high a priority as constructing the best, most expensive college arena in history.