The Willamette Science and Technology Center determined Monday it will likely be able to remain open, despite initial fears that the museum would be forced to close.
City Manager Jim Johnson gained unanimous approval Monday night from the Eugene City Council to help WISTEC work toward acquiring its land and building leases, which are both owned by the city.
Johnson said the council’s decision acknowledges the work WISTEC and the city manager are doing and gives the organization the blessing to continue.
“They’ve given me the authority to negotiate the transfer of the building lease and the land lease and to do it in the best public interest,” Johnson said.
This is imperative to the museum, said Meg Trendler, WISTEC executive director.
“Acquiring our lease would give us a form of collateral,” Trendler said. “Before businesses will invest in us and support our programs, we have to prove that we’re going to be around.”
Trendler said by acquiring both leases, the non-profit museum can prove to investors that it has every intention of putting donations to good use.
WISTEC’s existence was threatened after the council voted in January to let the University use the parking lot adjacent to Autzen Stadium, from which WISTEC created parking revenues, for a bus transit center. The transit center is part of the expansion plan for Autzen, which would otherwise require more parking lots to accommodate the greater number of seats.
The University has offered a little more than $200,000 in compensation over the next seven years, an offer WISTEC has yet to accept.
WISTEC’s threat to close after the January City Council decision was later reversed, and the museum is now searching for ways to stay open.
City Councilor Scott Mesiner voiced concern at Monday’s meeting about the inconsistency of WISTEC’s decision to remain open. He said a well-developed business plan must come from WISTEC if the council is to trust the museum with the leases.
“If WISTEC doesn’t meet their demands, they could go out of business with a debt that could fall on the city’s shoulders,” Mesiner said. “We want to protect WISTEC, but my first priority is to be the protector of the city. I won’t give away this lease without protections.”
That’s where the city comes in. Glen Svendsen, the manager of the city’s facility management division, manages most city buildings. He and the city manager have been working with WISTEC to develop a plan that will earn the council’s approval.
“They asked for this building a year ago,” Svendsen said. “There was some talking, but the process was put on hold. When the Autzen situation came up, we began meeting regularly with WISTEC to help them get the council’s approval for the leases.”
Trendler said WISTEC will continue to develop a business plan with steps devised to acquire funding.
“As any business or non-profit organization, we have been constantly re-evaluating our plan so as to have the most successful plan,” Trendler said.
City Councilor Gary Rayor pointed out that the city would continue to support WISTEC.
“It’s never all or nothing for anybody,” Rayor said. “We’ll do what we can to help WISTEC stay open.”
Johnson said WISTEC should be ready to approach the council with a successful plan by March.