EUGENE, Ore. -- One business owner is sounding the alarm over proposed changes to Eugene’s Franklin Boulevard.
The City of Eugene is looking to redesign the busy thoroughfare, with the latest project design showing several roundabouts replacing intersections with traffic lights, and the addition of a second EmX-only lane.
An illustration of the proposed changes to Franklin Boulevard in Eugene.
Hirons Drug Store on Franklin Boulevard posted a sign in their window saying the proposal could negatively affect the store.
Owner John Hirons said drivers headed west on Franklin Boulevard would have to take the new roundabout at Walnut Street and drive through the Fairmount neighborhood to get to his store.
He said the roundabouts are an unnecessary addition and things just need to stay the way they are currently.
“Franklin Boulevard is far from broken,” he said. “Why try to fix it with something you really are not familiar very well with?”
He said he’s concerned that customers headed west will have a harder time getting into the store, ultimately impacting business.
“It's gonna be a diminished amount of customers, isn't it -- with it becoming more difficult?” he said. “Let's make it harder to come into Hirons, Market of Choice? You don't have those problems going to Costco or WinCo.”
Stacked grocery baskets at Hirons Drug Store on Franklin Boulevard.
When faced with two options customers will go to the most convenient option, he said, which may not be his store if the changes go through.
“Is it more convenient to get to go to Hillyard and 30th, 18th and Oak Street, or do you want to fight the battle of a roundabout?” he said. “An insane roundabout on Walnut Street and Franklin Boulevard.”
City of Eugene officials said they believe the proposed changes to Franklin boulevard would improve the street for people walking, biking and taking the bus while making it safer and keeping traffic flowing smoothly. Regarding Hirons specifically, city officials suggested travelers on Franklin Boulevard could:
- Turn left at Villard Street, then left into the Hirons lot
- Make a U-turn at Villard Street, then a right turn on Orchard Street, then a right turn into the parking lot
- Take a left on Walnut Street -- which is currently prohibited but would be allowed after the development -- then a right on 15th Street, then a right on Orchard Street, and finally a left into the Hirons parking lot
Hirons says a property developer has already reached out redeveloping about the plaza. He says he isn't interested, but if profit margins take a hit he may have to reconsider.
The city is holding an open house about the Franklin Boulevard project on Thursday, February 2 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Ford Alumni Center on the University of Oregon Campus. More information on the open house and the project can be found on the City of Eugene’s website.
