Campus area real estate giant von Klein Property Management is “moving forward” with plans to build an upscale apartment complex across the street from the University Inn at 979 Patterson St., co-owner Larry von Klein said.
The new building, called the Patterson House, will be similar in design and features to the coveted Hilyard House at 725 East 14th Ave., which von Klein said never has vacancy for more than a few weeks.
“There is a demand for this type of housing,” von Klein said.
In order to move forward with construction, von Klein said the property must qualify for Eugene’s Multiple Unit Property Tax Exemption program (MUPTE), the same program the Hilyard House qualified for.
“The Hilyard House could not have been built if not for the tax exemption,” Von Klein said.
MUPTE provides a 10-year tax exemption on housing construction within Eugene’s downtown area to encourage an increase in housing without affecting the urban growth boundary.
Police officer Randy Ellis, who patrols the West University neighborhood, said the Patterson House would be a nice addition to the neighborhood and could set a precedent for better-maintained housing in the neighborhood.
“It’s probably going to force some of the other buildings in the neighborhood to upgrade,” Ellis said.
One thing Ellis said he worries about is the possible long-term effect the tax exemption program could have on historic houses in the campus area. If multiple-unit buildings are so strongly encouraged, it could lead to the destruction of the neighborhood’s older buildings, which don’t necessarily deserve to be decimated.
“There are a lot of students that want to live in an older home with character,” Ellis said.
The West University Neighbors association recently endorsed von Klein for the program, and von Klein said although it is not one hundred percent certain the building will qualify for the tax exemption, the chance of it not qualifying is too small to hinder the planning process.
The tax exemption program benefits the city in the long run, von Klein said, because after the 10-year period ends, both land and property taxes must be paid on the building.
“From that point forward it creates a nice tax income for the city,” von Klein said.
Von Klein, a 1969 University graduate, is working with 1965 graduate Arthur Carmichael on beginning the building’s construction by early summer 2005.
The building will be located in what is now a parking lot, between the Beta Chi fraternity house and a large house with
individual rooms for rent. Carmichael was a member of Beta Chi and wants to use some of the architectural aspects of the fraternity house on the new building, von Klein said.
“We’re trying to make it fit with the neighborhood,” von Klein said.
The Patterson House will consist of 27 units — three studios,
12 one-bedroom apartments and 12 two-bedroom apartments — capable of housing approximately 40 people.
Rent will be similar to the Hilyard House, which costs $625 for a studio, between $650 and $795 for a one bedroom and between $795 and $950 for a two bedroom.
Free Internet, a washer and dryer and a garbage site located just
inside the courtyard are just a few
of the conveniences offered, von Klein said.
Courtney Hight of the Eugene Citizens for Housing Standards said higher quality housing like the Patterson House is definitely needed in the campus area, but questioned whether there was a demand for such high-priced housing.
University Housing Director Mike Eyster said the Patterson House is a welcome addition to the area
surrounding the University Inn and said he doesn’t expect any problems to arise from the added density in the area because of the quality of housing built.
Ellis also said the Patterson House is unlikely to increase crime rates in the neighborhood.
There is always concern that
additional residents in the neighborhood could add to problems with density and subsequent problems with crime, Ellis said, but if crime
at the Patterson House is anything like crime at the Hilyard House,
the neighborhood has nothing to worry about.
“We have no calls for service at the Hilyard House — none,” Ellis said.

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