Press Room

Aug 10, 2004

DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Joe Harwood for the Eugene Register-Guard

Work to begin on Crescent shopping center

Arlie & Co. says it will break ground on its 39-acre mixed-use development in northeast Eugene early next month.

The Eugene real estate and development company plans to start installing roads, stormwater pipes and other infrastructure Sept. 9 for the first phase of Crescent Village, said Larry Reed, Arlie’s director of planning and development.

While the company is doing the groundwork, it is marketing lots of various sizes to possible buyers and tenants.

Reed said the first phase covers about 11 acres of commercial land that will feature a large grocery store, restaurants and other retail activity as well as some office space.

Later phases would include apartments, rowhouses and townhouses. Many of Arlie’s Crescent Village buildings will feature offices or shops on the ground floor, with living quarters above.

Preliminary plans call for up to 631 dwelling units, 32,000 square feet of specialty retail, 115,000 square feet of commercial, 102,000 square feet of general office space and 30,000 square feet of medical-dental offices.

The city approved the concept in May, lauding the plan’s density because it seeks to limit sprawl and traffic congestion by allowing people to work, live and shop in one neighborhood.

A key hurdle for Arlie is finding companies that either want to buy parcels and build on them, or lease space that Arlie or another developer would construct.

Reed said two grocery businesses have expressed interest in Crescent Village, which would allow a grocery store of up to 50,000 square feet. Some local restaurateurs also appear interested, though Reed declined to identify them.

"This time next year we hope to see three or four buildings under construction," Reed said.

Interest from local apartment builders has been marginal thus far, Reed said.

"What’s really surprised us is the strong interest in the pure residential part from builders from Portland and Seattle," Reed said. "They are much more familiar building condos and townhouses."

If that matures into a deal, Reed said, some of the residential buildings could start going up within two years.