Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard’s long-term construction has become another background to Eugene’s daily life. Although commuters typically may become irritated by road construction, locals appear to shrug their shoulders at the ongoing development.

Construction on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Leo Harris Parkway began in the fall of 2021 to expand the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex. The construction is to build a new practice facility off of Autzen Stadium for University of Oregon athletes.

This construction not only goes out onto MLK Boulevard, blocking part of the street, but it is also on the property of the Eugene Science Center. 

UO and the City of Eugene signed a land swap agreement to make these changes possible. This deal exchanges four acres of Alton Baker Park, which is held by the City and across the street from Autzen Stadium, for more than eight acres of UO property next to Downtown Riverfront Park.

The construction project has failed to generate much public protest despite months of lane closures, traffic reroutes and the constant sound of jackhammers. The work on MLK Boulevard has mostly gone unnoticed, as opposed to other infrastructure projects in Eugene that have sparked contentious conversations, petitions or town hall meetings.

“I don’t turn down that road enough to be affected by it. I feel like it’s a small demographic of people who actually use the road, since it’s only for a specific part by Autzen,” UO student Iman Zarlons said.

Even some of those who have to use the road are unbothered by the construction because of the alternative routes.

University of Oregon Student Band employee, Griffin Schumock, explains, “If it had been at the start of the school year, it would’ve been a problem because I had to go for band. But even then, there’s another entrance to the stadium I could use. It’s just kinda there.” 

Some commuters may have been inconvenienced by the construction, which is part of a continuous effort to improve pedestrian access and road conditions near Autzen Stadium. The majority, though, seem to have come to terms with the delays as a necessary part of life.

There will be some improvements available to the community in addition to a brand-new sports complex and new practice grounds. In order to serve the entire community, the development plan aims to complement the Eugene Science Center and the Cuthbert Amphitheater with better ADA access, more parking and improvements to the water quality and natural areas.

According to the City of Eugene’s Public Works department, the west entrance to Leo Harris Parkway will be blocked for approximately six months after Dec. 30, 2024, while construction is underway. The Eugene Science Center, Alton Baker Park and the UO athletic facilities are still accessible from the east intersection of Leo Harris Parkway and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.