"Bustle" is the best word to describe the level of activity that goes on year round in Eugene, Oregon's downtown neighborhood. This is especially true as the downtown core moves through its 15-year plan of revitalization and renewal, spearheaded by its Downtown Eugene Inc. non-profit association. The city is cleverly adding residential housing, upper-level educational facilities, and mixed-use community and commercial opportunities to its urban center while retaining its small town/big city artsy and professional identity. If you're looking for a new neighborhood in which to express your artsy or entrepreneurial side, downtown Eugene should be on your "to check out" list.
For a small city (its 2013 population just barely topped 160,000), Eugene enjoys an astonishingly sophisticated arts scene, much of which is experienced within the 28-square blocks of downtown. At its heart is the Hult Performing Arts Center, which annually hosts Eugene's biggest theatrical and musical events. Touring Broadway shows, major concert headliners and the professional presentations of six resident arts companies all fill the Hult's stages with original and classic interpretations of ballet, opera and live theater. There's something to do at the Hult virtually every week of the year.
Within blocks of the Hult are several more performance and multimedia art galleries and stages, each of which contributes its unique flavor to downtown's artsy mix. A rich variety of live theater, music classes and artistic experiences are offered for the city's children, youth and young adults. Many open their doors for "First Friday's", Eugene's monthly art walk through its urban center.
For a different style of art, the Lane County Farmer's Market is also located in downtown. On a weekly basis, it hosts over 80 growers and producers of agricultural and freshly prepared foods, including vegetables, fruit, seafood and locally made jams, jellies and preserves. All of the market's products are produced locally, of course, and many are organic, containing no pesticides or other man-made chemicals. Most of the Market's products are grown and prepared by their seller, so casual conversations about watering and beneficial bugs are common occurrences on Market days. These small business owners are able to perfect their culinary crafts thanks to Eugene's welcoming entrepreneurial spirit.
In fact, downtown Eugene is a hotbed of business innovation. The state of Oregon and the city of Eugene have partnered to develop support and facilities for innovation of small businesses, and the partnership has sited its "Regional Accelerator and Innovation Network" (RAIN) facility in downtown Eugene. It acts as a collaborative environment for budding businesses to establish viable companies, create jobs and grow Eugene's economy. The University of Oregon is also involved, and its "Tyler Invention Center" and "Innovation Launch Lab" routinely contribute to the goings-on at the RAIN.
These facilities and the businesses they hatch join thousands of Eugene's small and mid-sized companies that employ less than 20 people, many of which are located in downtown. Entrepreneur Magazine was so impressed by Eugene's support for these small-but-mighty innovative and courageous business leaders that, in 2010, it named the city the top town in the country for "Green Scenes: Where capitalism meets eco-consciousness."
Perhaps the strongest indicator of the vibrancy and energy of downtown Eugene is the age of its population. Averaging just 30 years old, downtown's residents are predominantly Millenials, with high technology skills and the common childhood connection of the Internet. They are some of the healthiest people in Oregon, if not in the country; more than 82% are non-smokers and 84% report engaging in physical activity in their leisure time. Most likely to travel on bikes or on foot, these mostly single, diversely ethnic and (mostly) well educated young adults bring a fun, relaxed and intelligent attitude to downtown's cafe's, restaurants and galleries.
For decades, Eugene's fame has been grounded in its hippie history and counterculture liberalism. In the 1960's and 70's, tie-dye and denim made up the common "business suit" and "letting it all hang out" was frequently the sum-total of the day's labor. Like many inner cities, downtown Eugene went through a slump in the 80's and 90's, when suburban developments eclipsed the city's central core.
By the early 2000's, however, civic leaders envisioned a thriving and active downtown core that attracted and retained industry, provided rich architectural and cultural texture for its citizens and offered a safe and entertaining community center for students, residents and businesses alike. Creating their own version of urban innovation, Eugene's leaders set out a plan that would recapture vacant spaces, dot the city blocks with public art and create unique living spaces among retail and restaurant enclaves.
In the ten years since that plan was launched, downtown Eugene has indeed been transformed. Incorporating the city's penchant for sustainable and green development, many of the renovated buildings were remade using their own recycled parts. Traditional architecture was preserved - the McDonald Theater is on the National Register of Historic Places - next to 21st-century art, including a statue of Ken Kesey, Eugene's native son and author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
In downtown Eugene today, restaurants, live music venues, and art galleries happily coexist among professional medical offices and student supplies stores. The addition of residential spaces on upper floors and in vintage buildings provide one-of-a-kind lifestyle experiences for every downtown resident. And the city's unique "Downtown Guides" - red hat-adorned citizens available on city corners to answer questions - ensure that everyone is safely looked after, no matter their need.
If you're contemplating "sailing your own ship" occupationally speaking, bustling and busy downtown Eugene, Oregon offers the support, opportunity, and assistance you need to bring your lifestyle dreams to life.
