200,000,000 Downtown?
So the word is out. It seems dowtown Eugene is low hanging fruit for a group of investors. Several years ago developers from out of state made a killing putting together and then re-selling the new Riverbend hospital site in Springfield. This time the target is our downtown area. The recent article in the Register-Guard seems to urge us to "buy in" to this grand vision of a utopian urban zone, where somehow all the former problems of downtown Eugene will be swept away with a magical dose of cash. There's nothing wrong with investing in downtown Eugene, but I predict there will be no miracle cure. The homeless teens aren't going to mysteriously vanish overnight. The junkies and pushers will just move over a few blocks until they feel comfortable. Sorry Register-Guard, but throwing money at a problem does not make it go away.

Do we love the rain?
So it’s still raining in Eugene. I’m okay with that, even though I had to tack a sheet of plastic over a leaking window by the light of our car’s headlights, the plastic flailing in the wind driven rain. I know it’s going to stop eventually. Right? Actually I really like the rain, it’s seems to come with it’s own mood, a bit somber, but just knowing the rain will stop, and the sun will shine again, makes it bearable. It reminds me of a long hike up a steep hill. It may be a struggle, but the reward is well worth your trouble. For Eugene, the rain is a huge part of the town’s character. Come spring, the grass gets so green it doesn’t even seem real sometimes. And our rivers will flow with fresh clean water all summer long. And then it’s Fall again. Back to wet leaves and cold rain. It’s all part of the cyle. The rain will always stop, but just as sure, it will rain again.

Our first post starts with a pop.
Yes, Eugene city officials have found yet another location for the hospital. Unfortunately, the hospital has not been informed and may be an unwilling partner. If this transpires, this could be one more blow to the university neighborhood. If this happens, it may also accelerate the new I-5 interchange on Franklin. Energy that should be spent working towards completing a West Eugene Parkway. No one knows how the University of Oregon will react to a hospital locating on land at Riverfront Research Park either.