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Eugene’s Civic Stadium lives — for now

Civic Stadium

Civic Stadium, the longtime home to pro baseball in Eugene, won a temporary reprieve after the Eugene School District agreed to sell the ballpark to the city — provided boosters can raise $3 million for renovations.

The school board solicited bids for the historic facility. The city submitted a $4.5 million bid and proposed keeping the ballpark intact, while a private developer proposed razing the ballpark to make way for another Fred Meyer store (the total offer: $5.25 million), and the local YMCA wanted to tear it down to make way for a new facility (the bid: $4.5 million, but the school district would pay to tear down the ballpark). The private-developer bid had plenty of conditions, however, mostly related to rezoning of the site (a dubious proposition) before the school would see any money. From the Register-Guard:

Board member Jennifer Geller said the city’s offer is a “great opportunity for making our city stronger.”

“Yes, there’s risk it won’t happen,” Geller said of the $3 million that private groups must raise by August to renovate the stadium. “But when I think about what could happen, I think it is a possibility that could make Eugene even a better place to live.”…

If private groups raised enough money and if the City Council OKs the plan, the school district could complete the sale by November — which was attractive to board members who have been dealing with the Civic conundrum for years.

The bid also gives the city some flexibility and a say in the future of the ballpark.

Civic Stadium housed several Pacific Coast League and Northwest League teams over the years since opening in 1938; most recently the Eugene Emeralds (short season A; Northwest League) played there before moving to PK Park.

Image from Save Civic Stadium flickr.com page.

RELATED STORIES: Preserve Civic Stadium, says local school board superintendent; Decision on Civic Stadium: community vs. commerce; New life for Eugene’s Civic Stadium?; Group taking another run at saving Eugene’s Civic StadiumShining knight to save Civic Stadium?Eugene: We’re not spending money on Civic StadiumDeveloper: We’ll move Civic Stadium if that’s what it takesEugene residents: Save Civic StadiumAnother option emerges for Civic Stadium: strip mall!Developers withdraw plan to renovate Civic Stadium; future of ballpark in doubtEugene School Board puts Civic Stadium on the market

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