91视频

Lane County is looking to increase tourism-related tax rates to help pay for construction of a proposed multipurpose outdoor facility at the Lane 91视频 Center. The Lane County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a proposal to increase both the transient room tax rate and the car rental tax rate by 2 percent. Staff will prepare an ordinance for approval.

The Eugene Emeralds minor league baseball team has been in operation in Lane County since 1955. The team currently plays at the University of Oregon‘s PK Park. After being promoted to a higher level and gaining an extended season, and Major League Baseball introducing new facility requirements in 2020, the Emeralds will not be able to continue to use PK Park after 2024.

In fall 2021, the Emeralds approached Lane County about the possibility of building a stadium at the Lane 91视频 Center. The county board asked staff to evaluate the request as part of the Lane 91视频 Center master plan process. ECONorthwest conducted an economic impact report on what a new stadium would mean for the county.

鈥淐ommissioners have asked staff to assess the feasibility of locating the facility at the events center, recognizing that it could also serve as a home to an anchor tenant for the Eugene Emeralds, but also serve as a venue for concerts, for school events, for tournaments, and as an emergency shelter,鈥� Lane County Administrator Steve Mokrohisky stated during the board meeting on Tuesday.

Staff has looked at construction and preliminary agreements with the Emeralds, Mokrohisky added.

Turner Construction investigated what the project might cost, Lane County Facilities and Capital Planning Manager Shawn Waite said. The firm’s cost estimate was $78 million, including soft costs and adjustments, for a construction start in 2023.

鈥淭here is some variability there,鈥� Mokrohisky said. 鈥淲e have confidence we can build a project, in terms of construction costs, in that range.鈥�

A total of $17.5 million ($10 million from the Emeralds and $7.5 million from the state) in up-front funding has been identified for the project. The board asked the project team in May to identify additional funding options.

The unknown factors are the costs of materials and labor. Also, Turner Construction’s estimate does not include immediate occupancy requirements. When the project comes back before commissioners next month, there should be two cost estimates for review: one with immediate occupancy and one without.

In June, the county board passed an order approving an exemption to the competitive bidding process and authorizing procurement by Request for Qualifications of a design-build contractor. The RFQ closed on Aug. 10. A request for proposals was to be posted by Aug. 25. Responses are due by Sept. 1.

鈥淪taff will return to the board in October with options if additional funding is identified,鈥� Waite said.

The remaining funding gap is estimated at $80 million, according to Christine Moody, Lane County’s budget and financial planning manager. The project team’s goal is to not use local taxpayer resources but rather tourism-related revenues. A 1 percent increase in the transient room tax rate would generate an estimated $1.8 million annually and a 1 percent increase in the car rental tax rate would generate an estimated $325,000 annually. In addition to those revenues, the project team could seek more money from the state.

The county is identifying the funding available first and then will work with a design-build firm. The facility’s design would be based on that budget.

As the project moves forward, the amount of community outreach will continue to expand.

鈥淭he neighbors and residents directly in that area will need to be a significant part of the design process if and when we pursue that,鈥� Mokrohisky said.