County Courthouse Bond: Ballot Measure 20-299

2019 Voters Pamphlet:

​bit.ly/2JchpE5

Supporting Measure 20-299:

  • Lane County Bar Association
  • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
  • Democratic Party of Lane County
  • Sierra Club, Many Rivers Group
  • Sheriff Byron Trapp
  • Mayor Lucy Vinis
  • Lane County Commissioner, Pat Farr
  • Lane County Commissioner, Joe Berney
  • Dan Buckwald
  • Gerry Gaydos
  • League of Women Voters for Lane County
  • Alicia Hays
  • Lane County District Attorney, Patty Perlow
The Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce believes that Lane County’s ability to provide safety and efficiency in service the justice needs of the County are critical to maintaining a vibrant community and sound economy.

​Furthermore, it is imperative that the needs of all members of our community can be accommodated both by the system and the facility in a manner that provides equity and diversity. The Eugene Chamber recognizes the importance of these funds and supports the measure for the following reasons:
  • The Board of Commissioners has adopted project goals that prioritize local businesses, contractors and workers, living wages and family health benefits, sustainability objectives in design and construction and training and apprenticeship opportunities.
  • The proposed courthouse is planned to serve as the center for justice in Lane County for 100 years.
  • Lane County and its current administration has earned a high level of trust by the community and has demonstrated a commitment to cost savings and efficiency and to collect only what is needed by voters.
  • The current facility has significant challenges in accommodating the growing and diverse needs of the community it serves and renovation would not be efficient nor eligible for available state and federal funds.
  • Construction of a new courthouse will create $53 million in direct wages, 1300 jobs and an additional $20 million to the local economy.
BACKGROUND

Ballot Measure 20-299 will be on the May 2019 election ballot. If the measure passes, the $154 million in bond funds will be used to construct a new Lane County Courthouse and Justice Center in the former site of the Eugene City Hall in downtown Eugene.

If approved, the local funds will be met with an anticipated $94 million in state and federal funds, to be approved by the Legislature in the 2019 legislative session. The state and federal funds were made available through a bond program to fund up to 50% of the state’s portions of the facility and if voters do not approve the local bond, those funds will likely be distributed to Clackamas County.
ABOUT THE COURTHOUSE

The future Justice Center site will be home to the Circuit Court, District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office and Victim’s Services. It will be constructed as a 7-story building with 18 jury-equipped courtrooms designed to be fully ADA compliant and built to seismic standards. A second 2-story building will serve as the Sheriff’s office and include both backside and secured underground parking.

The cost is estimated at $50 per median household annually with a guaranteed cap of $252 million for project and construction costs.
For more information, visit: https://bit.ly/2IRYFKw