The city’s long wait ended Thursday when the federal General Services Administration announced the former Agripac Cannery, now owned by Chiquita Processed Foods in Eugene, will become the site of the area’s new federal courthouse.
Eugene had been competing with Springfield for the new courthouse, on which construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2002 and be completed in 2004.
The GSA made the announcement Thursday morning in a jury assembly room at the existing courthouse on East Seventh Avenue in downtown Eugene. Following the announcement, city employees, city councilors, GSA personnel and media made the one-block walk to the new location, where Mayor Jim Torrey met with Chiquita workers and addressed the crowd.
“I’m very pleased with the GSA decision,” Torrey said. “I am convinced that this is the best thing for the city of Eugene.”
While applauding Springfield’s efforts, GSA officials said that the urban reality of the two communities led to the selection of Eugene. The GSA decided that the courthouse, planned to be eight stories tall, just wouldn’t fit into Springfield’s downtown.
The Eugene Urban Renewal Agency purchased the nearly nine-acre site from Chiquita for more than $4 million. Four acres will be developed for the courthouse, with the remaining five acres slated to be redeveloped for private use.
“For a number of years, many of us in this community have talked about how we go about taking that Agripac site and bringing it to its highest and best use,” Torrey said.
The city’s acquisition of the new courthouse reflects the goals of the Downtown Visioning Project, which has been studying and seeking methods to revitalize and expand the downtown area.
“This is the next step in attempting to revitalize Eugene — from the west end to the east end,” said City Councilor Nancy Nathanson. “This is a major step in implementing the vision for the city in the next 20 years.”
The new courthouse will also feature many attractions to entice the public, including a recreational riverfront area and art.
U.S. District Court Chief Judge Michael Hogan said the building will be designed by a world-renowned architect and an additional $1 million will be allocated to incorporate art into its design.
The new building will also be one of 10 buildings in the country that will be a new model for security, he said, adding that security will be subtle and not detract from the appearance and community feeling of the building.
“This site provides an excellent opportunity to realize the city’s vision for downtown,” Development Manager Lee Bowers said.
Before addressing the crowd, Torrey met with cannery workers and emphasized to the crowd that the City Council’s decision came after Chiquita’s decision to close the facility.
“None of us take lightly people losing their jobs,” he said, and invited the cannery workers to come to talk to him and the council.
The city is negotiating to acquire the AutoCraft Body and Glass property across from the cannery site, which would improve access to the new courthouse. According to a resolution reaffirming council support for the location, the council supports the attempt to acquire AutoCraft through negotiations, but said that if necessary, the city would support condemnation, provided AutoCraft receives fair market value for its property.
AutoCraft attorney Steve Cornacchia was out of his office Thursday and could not be reached for comment.