SPRINGFIELD – “If roads are the bones of the city, people are the heart and soul of the city,” Sean VanGordon, Springfield mayor, said.
From navigating catastrophic weather to serving as a backdrop for thousands of eager runners tackling the 26.2-mile Eugene Marathon, Springfield saw its fair share of activity in 2024.
VanGordon had no qualms about reflecting on the highs and lows and expressed enthusiasm for what’s coming in 2025.
Here are some of VanGordon’s top highlights of 2024.
42nd Street transportation work
Much-needed updates to 42nd Street and the Mohawk Interchange were high on VanGordon’s list of accomplishments in ’24.
“We repaved 42nd Street, which has been a long-term request from the community, and I’m excited about it. People are really excited about it,” VanGordon said. “It was something that needed a little bit of attention.”
While VanGordon shared that there is still work to be done on the Marcola Meadows intersection, revitalizing a “bad lane” causing problems at the Mohawk Interchange was something to celebrate.
“This gave us an opportunity to really get to the most at-need piece,” VanGordon said.
Ice storm response
The words “ice storm 2024” make any Oregonian shudder, conjuring up memories of lost power, freezing temperatures, and rogue tree limbs.
But VanGordon sees a different image in his mind, zeroing in on the dedication of Springfield residents, First Responders, and city leaders who stepped up.
“Really, the thing that made us through that week was our community coming together and sharing food, sharing supplies, sharing shelter,” VanGordon said.
According to City-provided data, notable efforts included “managing the clearance of over 172 miles of roads and 2,300 downed trees to restore safe transportation corridors, leading community support efforts, including the distribution of over 6,200 firewood bundles and serving more than 4,100 residents through the Community Resource Center.”
The City is building on these efforts by implementing more staff training, developing alternative communication tools like an emergency-activated AM radio station, and pursuing long-term hazard mitigation.
While VanGordon was impressed by how Springfield citizens rallied around one another, he, too, sees the ice storm as a learning curve for a repeat event.
“You get a little bit of time for perspective and go, ‘Okay, what are tweaks that we need to do during that to be more responsive, more flexible, to serve the community better?’” he said.
Road bond renewal
Designed to repair several city streets in Springfield over the next five years, Bond Measure 20-351 passed in the May 21, 2024, election and was certified by the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office on June 27.
Taxpayer dollars primarily support its total cost of $20 million. The City of Springfield documents say, “The cost to fund this bond is estimated at 74 cents per $1,000 of assessed value each year for five years beginning July 1, 2024.”
Additionally, “The median assessed value of residential property is $182,500. At this value, the homeowner would pay approximately $135 per year in estimated taxes, which is about $11.25 per month.”
VanGordon was excited to see support from voters and is optimistic about the future of Springfield’s roads.
“The voters did pass the renewal for our road bond. That was a big ask,” VanGordon said. “It was a lot of work that the council did, a lot of work that the community did, to continue to invest in our infrastructure. I’m really grateful that the voters saw the value in bond one, and they saw it enough to think about supporting bond two.”
Additional achievements
• September 2024 saw the commencement of the Mill Street Reconstruction Project. Upgrades to pavement, sidewalks, driveways, stormwater, and wastewater are underway. Further improvements include ADA-compliant curb ramps, street lighting, and bicycle facility additions. VanGordon estimates that the project will wrap up by the end of 2025.
• Springfield unveiled in February 2024 the Springfield Municipal Adult Rehabilitation and Treatment Court (SMART) to combat overdoses. The Court allows those struggling with substance abuse or a related disorder to undergo treatment, recovery, and supervision services instead of incarceration. The city received a $900,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to support its efforts.
Looking ahead
In 2025, continuing to create a community that draws longtime residents and Pacific Northwest newcomers remains important to VanGordon.
“We’ve got to find a place where you’ve got a vibrant enough economy that you have a job, that you can raise your family, own a home, right? Really decide how to follow your dreams,” VanGordon said. “That’s the Springfield story.”
