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Ethan outlines airport funding strategy, wetlands mitigation bank shortfall and other capital priorities
Summary
City staff summarized legislative and funding strategies for the Eugene Airport expansion and a list of capital projects, reported the wetlands mitigation bank in West Eugene is out of credits and departments are identifying new mitigation sites (including potential BLM parcels), and outlined options for state and federal funding and bonding.
During the June 3 IGR meeting, city staff provided a broad update on capital projects and legislative strategies, highlighting Eugene Airport expansion financing, a depleted West Eugene wetlands mitigation bank, and a set of department‑identified projects that staff plan to carry into the DPP priorities.
Ethan said the airport expansion will require coordinated state and federal advocacy and a broad coalition of regional partners; he estimated roughly a $241,000,000 financing gap for the airport project that will be filled through a mix of state/federal discretionary dollars, bonding tied to airport revenues, and other financing tools. "Our priority is to continue to seek funds...we're building a broad coalition that includes the region we serve," Ethan said, adding staff have identified roughly $45,000,000 of discretionary funds over six years that could be pursued across IGR efforts.
Staff also raised wetlands mitigation bank capacity: the city’s previous mitigation bank is effectively exhausted and departments have begun identifying candidate parcels or partners to create a new mitigation bank. Ethan said staff will research land acquisition options, including asking whether BLM has properties suitable for transfer, and will return with an update or bring agency staff into a meeting if needed.
Committee members pointed to specific West Eugene parcels (roughly between West 11th and West 18th, east of Willow Creek Road) as potential sites developers have previously used and asked staff to report back with land‑use and acquisition details. Ethan agreed to gather that information and circulate an update memo or invite responsible staff to a future meeting.
Staff also flagged other capital priorities being packaged for legislative outreach (Golden Gardens development in Bethel, North Butterfly Lot expansion, former LCC buildings, Lamont project, Lehi Bridge investments) and expected to present a consolidated DPP draft for IGR review in September. The airport team, city manager's office, public works and an external contract team are coordinating next steps, including a federal strategy tied to a possible FAA Passenger Facility Charge increase.
Next steps: staff will continue coalition building for airport funding, prepare documentation on candidate mitigation sites, and include capital project priorities in upcoming DPP materials to be reviewed by IGR and council.
