EWEB Riverfront Master Plan Charrette

In early 2009, the Eugene Water & Electric Board selected Rowell Brokaw Architects to lead the master planning effort for its 27-acre property along Eugene's downtown riverfront. The EWEB riverfront master plan is the first step toward a restored downtown riverfront that benefits all of Eugene. According to the project criteria set by the 2004 Downtown Plan, the master plan will create a "vibrant, multi-use people place,” employ appropriate ecological setbacks and sustainable design strategies, and incorporate an educational aspect that teaches the community about our river, our city, and our history.

One important facet of the riverfront master plan process will be the Rowell Brokaw team’s gathering of public input regarding redevelopment opportunities and design alternatives. Toward this end, the firm is providing pro bono project time for the planning, coordination, and staging of a design charrette in collaboration with AIA-SWO. Our chapter is responsible for securing volunteer commitments from 12-16 architects, landscape architects, or interns to help populate six to eight tables at the charrette. Other participants will include Rowell Brokaw staff, EWEB employees, City of Eugene planners, and Community Advisory Team members.

Here are the details:

Date: Saturday, October 3, 2009

• 8:00 AM: Site Tour, Introductions, and Morning Refreshments


• 9:00 AM: Charrette Start (Lunch at 12:00)


• 1:00 PM: Team Presentations


• 2:00 PM: Adjournment

We are limiting the number of participants to ensure that each table will reflect a diversity of perspectives and talents (and not just be populated by design professionals). Our hope is that AIA-SWO members will serve as the table facilitators. As architects, we bring not only our design skills into play, but also our respect for process and our natural ability to work collaboratively with others.

Our intent is to obtain AIA approval of continuing education learning units for chapter members who take part in the workshop.

If you are interested in participating in this important charrette, please contact Rowell Brokaw’s project manager Kaarin Knudson, Associate AIA. Kaarin’s contact information is as follows:

E-mail: kaarin@rowellbrokaw.com

Phone: (541) 485-1003

In addition to the design charrette, Rowell Brokaw Architects is planning a series of community events related to the riverfront master plan. The first of these meetings will be held Wednesday, September 30, at the EWEB North Building (500 East 4th Avenue) from 6:00-8:30pm. Everyone is encouraged to join the Community Advisory Team, EWEB staff, and Rowell Brokaw Architects for a site tour and discussion of possible futures on the riverfront site. A second public event is scheduled for Tuesday, November 10 from 6:00-8:30pm at EWEB, when design options will be presented for public input. These options will be generated from the design team’s project research, the public input gathered on September 30, and the insights offered through the AIA-SWO design charrette on October 3.

You can find additional information about the project through the project website at http://www.eugeneriverfront.com/ , or by contacting Kaarin at Rowell Brokaw Architects.