City Dealing for Agripac Site, Lobbying for Federal Courthouse

EUGENE, OR-City officials here are hoping to lure the Federal government to a former Agripac cannery here on the east edge of Downtown near the Willamette River.

The city is negotiating with Chiquita Brands International Inc. for the 8.7-acre industrial parcel, which the city wants to used for a new Federal courthouse as well as a private office and retail development.

Meanwhile, Eugene’s neighbor to the east, the City of Springfield, is lobbying the US General Services Administration to put the $70 million, 265,000-sf courthouse next to Island Park, on the west edge of its Downtown.

All told, there are five possible sites for the courthouse, and the GSA is speaking with the owners of all them. The agency plans to announce its choice December. The GSA has said it can spend up to $3.85 million to buy land for the courthouse.