Despite some early interest from developers, only two bids were submitted to the Eugene School Board for Civic Stadium, the former home of the Eugene Emeralds (short season A; Northwest League): one from a local preservation group and another from the YMCA.
It’s not quite the wealth of submissions the school board was seeking: Save Civic Stadium would of course work to save the historic 73-year-old ballpark, while the YMCA would tear it down and put up a new facility, though parts of the old ballpark could be reclaimed and integrated into the design. The YMCA is offering $3.5 million for land and the ballpark.
Save Civic Stadium is offering to lease the land and ballpark and would convert it to a multiuse facility, integrating soccer into the mix. Alas, it doesn’t appear the group has much money as of yet: they estimate their plan could cost $10 million, but fundraising has not started.
Civic Stadium is on our list of Endangered Ballparks.
RELATED STORIES: Developers withdraw plan to renovate Civic Stadium; future of ballpark in doubt; Eugene School Board puts Civic Stadium on the market; Glickman to assist in Civic Stadium preservation effort ; Eugene debates future of historic Civic Stadium; Group proposing renovation of Civic Stadium
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