Eugene, Oregon

Eugene is the third largest city http://www.ci.eugene.or.us/local/euggov.htm#Facts:Cite_sources and boasts the second largest metropolitan population http://www.world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=1119225167&men=gcis&lng=en&gln=xx&dat=32&geo=-223&srt=pnan&col=aohdq&pt=a&va=x&geo=-3793 in the state of Oregon, and is also the county seat of Lane County, Oregon. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie River and the Willamette River, about 60 miles (97 km) east of the Oregon Coast. According to the 2000 census, it has a total population of 137,893. As of July 1, 2003 the US Census Bureau estimated the population of Eugene to be 142,185. The city's population is expected to further grow to 228,400 within the next 10 years.

Politics

Government

At the City Council level, the liberal wing of local politics has been gaining strength, mostly on a reform platform calling for greater transparency and accountability in local government. The recent election of Kitty Piercy was widely considered to be a turning point. Prior to Piercy's election, local government was considered to be more sympathetic/accommodating to business and development interests.

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Development

Development is a controversial issue in Eugene, as in most growing cities. Both pro- and anti-development organizations and companies are vocal, and most public and private projects are vigorously discussed in public meetings and the letters pages of the Register-Guard and the Eugene Weekly. Developers and builders habitually complain about the decreasing supply of buildable land within the regional Urban Growth Boundary, while environmental groups object to projects which result in reduced open space and wildlife habitat.

Related Topics:
Register-Guard - Eugene Weekly

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