Lane County OKs purchase of 99 East Broadway in Eugene for courthouse, sheriff and DA space
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Summary
The board approved a $2.9 million purchase of property at 99 East Broadway, Eugene, financed with $2 million in capital planning reserves and $900,000 from the video lottery reserve, as a step toward phased renovations estimated at about $17.5 million to address courthouse, sheriff and district attorney space needs.
The Lane County Board of County Commissioners approved the purchase of 99 East Broadway in Eugene on March 3, authorizing the county administrator to finalize the sale.
Assistant county counsel Emily Barrio introduced the item and said the property was the result of a due-diligence process. County staff said the purchase price is $2,900,000, to be paid from $2,000,000 in capital planning reserves and $900,000 from the video lottery reserve. "These are reserves that were set aside one time years ago when we had contemplated the construction of a new courthouse facility," staff said.
Staff and consultants performed structural, seismic, ADA and hazardous-materials reviews. Lauren Blythe, director of operations, said direct construction costs to renovate the building and make it suitable for courts and associated offices were estimated at about $17,500,000.
Sheriff Wilkerson described current courthouse and sheriff's office spaces as inadequate, unsanitary and unsafe, and said the acquisition provides an opportunity to begin phased space-planning and renovations. The district attorney also supported the purchase as a cost-effective step compared with building a new facility.
Staff described a planning and design phase to consider how 99 East Broadway would fit into a long-term solution, including phasing to reduce disruption to court operations. County staff estimated an initial planning/design phase could be initiated immediately and returned with options in roughly six months, with approximately 18 months estimated for the broader planning and design work.
The board moved and seconded the order to approve purchase and delegation of authority; the motion passed 5-0.
Why it matters: County staff said the purchase is intended to provide immediate space planning options and staging that could make extensive courthouse and public service building renovations (including seismic upgrades) less disruptive. Renovation costs remain to be funded and may require state funding and phased capital planning.
What's next: staff said they will initiate a planning and design phase and return to the board with options in coming months; staff also said they will seek state funding to support renovation costs.