CommunityLink
Springfield, OR
Springfield StyleQuality cities have quality neighborhoods. They are interesting places that change with the people who live there over time. Here are five neighborhoods in Springfield that are rich with distinctive histories and exciting futures. The following are great places to live, work and play.
Downtown/Kelly Butte/Washburne District
This is Old Springfield. Here you can find some of the roots of the community: the historic Southern Pacific Depot, Springfield Museum, early and historic housing in the Washburne District, and heritage homes atop Kelly Butte.
Here you can also find a renaissance in full bloom. Next to the historic roots are the cultural shoots that are sprouting in this classic Oregon downtown: The Emerald Arts Center, Springfield Museum, Springfield Library and the soon-to-be-opened Wildish Community Theater are just a few of the elements forming a new cultural district. In addition, the recently completed Springfield Downtown Transit Station and the anticipated St. Vincent de Paul Building, a five-story apartment and retail mix in the heart of downtown, both add new construction long overdue in Old Springfield. Sprinkle in a mix of new restaurants and commercial and antique shops, and downtown begins to take on the vigor that it once enjoyed.
Thurston/Jasper-Natron
Springfield has one of the longest Main Streets in the nation — downtown anchors one end, and Thurston, the community that developed rapidly following the building of the Weyerhaeuser Plant, anchors the other. Thurston residents enjoy a suburban lifestyle that is close
to the hills and rivers that bracket Springfield. Just to the south of Thurston, the Jasper-Natron area will be a major development and growth area for the city of Springfield. Street and road improvements and construction have begun, and with the beginning of development, sewer, water and other utilities will be put in place to serve what will be the newest Springfield neighborhood.
Glenwood
Glenwood is the rough jewel on the beautiful river. This special metro area lies on the banks of the beautiful Willamette River between the cities of Springfield and Eugene. Glenwood residents are proud of their unique position in the metro area, and they are anxious to preserve what is best about Glenwood as inevitable development begins to engage the riverfront and industrial areas of the area. Both Springfield and Eugene leaders recognize that Glenwood has the potential to be home to major civic and private development that would serve everyone in the metro area — all in a stunningly beautiful setting.
Gateway
Just a cornfield and rural homes a few short years ago, but look at us now! This is one of the most important intersections in the state. The Gateway District of Springfield is a major nexus of commerce and employment in the state of Oregon. City leaders made an investment in Gateway in the early 1990s as they sought to diversify and strengthen the local economy. That investment has paid off with new industries, housing and commercial development that rivals growth districts anywhere in the state. The I-5 exit to Gateway leads to over 1,000 hotel/motel rooms and
several employment centers that boast 500 or more employees and represent competitive business clusters. It is also a commercial cluster with marketplaces, the regional Gateway Mall, specialty shopping and a growing number of
top-notch restaurants. Companies such as Shorewood, Symantec, Pioneer Pacific College and PacificSource call Gateway home. And coming soon are the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and the regional medical PeaceHealth campus at RiverBend. Gateway continues to expand the economy and is one of the most exciting growth areas in Oregon.
Mohawk
Named after the nearby Mohawk Valley, this commercial and residential corridor is one of the busiest in Springfield. It has convenient proximity to the 105 Springfield-Eugene Freeway, I-5, downtown, Centennial Boulevard and Pioneer Parkway. It is undergoing its own sort of revitalization along
its major arterials of Mohawk and Centennial boulevards and Olympic Street. Recent commercial projects (Wal-Mart, Jerry’s Home Improvement), together with banking and other service-sector opportunities, are leading the way to an updated Mohawk District.
For Hispanics, Art Is Not Separate From Life
Set within Oregon’s Emerald Empire, the City of Springfield is emerging as a popular location for Spanish-speaking people. With a population of 52,500 — 7 percent of whom are Hispanic, according to the 2000 Census — the city has one of the fastest-growing Latino communities in Oregon. Young Spanish-speaking families are establishing households, and their children and extended family members are changing Springfield schools and other public agencies.
In September 2004, the hot Fiesta Latina “Independence” Celebration took place in Island Park. It was a great success, with spicy cuisine, artists and artisans, and hot salsa and merengue dancing. “It had more Latinos in one place than any event ever in Lane County or possibly Oregon,” said Fiesta Latina’s manager, Rebecca Urhausen.
This Hispanic population growth has created a demand for traditional food, music and artifacts. These items are being provided by small tiendas, mercados and restaurantes. These businesses are taking advantage of moderately priced rental properties found in Old Downtown along Main Street — primarily from Mill Street to 14th Street but extending east to 57th Street.
Typically less than five years old, these businesses primarily focus on a Spanish-speaking clientele and offer diverse products and services. They include:
• Restaurants: Palmas De Colima,
Mi Pueblito, Los Campeones (Mohawk) and Torero’s (Thurston)
• Mercados: Zamora’s Market/
Carniceria, a specialty meat shop; El Mexicano, a small general store (abarrote)/taqueria/
pastry shop (panaderia)
• Real estate agency
• Insurance company
• Auto mechanics
• Two Spanish-language churches
What’s in the future for Latino businesses in Springfield? Eugene’s nonprofit Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation (NEDCO) is planning in 2005 for a large, two-story Latino Mercado with 35 to 40 businesses, to be located in the city’s downtown Cultural Arts District. NEDCO’s intent is to strengthen the economic success of these businesses through careful startup business management.
Are there other Latino business activities? Yes! Artemio (Art) and James Paz, brothers from Puerto Rico, and Alberto Miranda, from Costa Rica, each have more than 20 years of business experience in Springfield.
Artemio, a local architect, started an architectural design firm in 1974. He has a diverse architectural portfolio, including the Springfield Emerald Art Center, the Urban Plan for the SRDC, the Glenwood Cafeto Office building, the three-story UO Chiles Center, the UO Casanova Center, and the Torrance Performing Arts Theatre in California. He was also an architectural design consultant on the Wayne Morse Plaza at the county courthouse.
James has owned and operated James Paz Insurance Company since 1982, providing comprehensive personal lines of insurance for small businesses, homes and automobiles.
Alberto Miranda started Cafeto Coffee Company in 1980. He ships coffee throughout the West Coast and imports certified organic coffees worldwide. He is credited with bringing certified organic coffee to the United States
from small cooperative farm villages in Latin America.
Will Latino businesses continue to grow in Springfield? Yes! A healthy Latino business climate is being fostered by a progressive city administration, a well-managed school district with ethnic diversity and multicultural programs, and a rapidly growing Hispanic population. Ultimately, the financial and cultural success of Springfield’s Latino businesses will be based on their artful and genuine product appeal to all residents of the city, as well as its visitors.
