Eugene officials are reaching out to the University of Oregon community to help transform Franklin Boulevard into a thoroughfare that's safe and useful for all, including pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, skateboarders and public transit riders.

Currently, Franklin Boulevard is a corridor oriented toward automobiles, with inherent risks for those on foot or nonmotorized wheels. To develop an initial draft design of what a transformed Franklin Boulevard might look like, a series of public meetings are being held in late January.

The city plans a kickoff event Monday, Jan. 28, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Ford Alumni Center’s Giustina Ballroom to ask for specific input about community needs and desires for Franklin from Interstate 5 to Alder Street. Appetizers will be served.

City staff will process ideas from the first meeting and present them for more discussion and feedback at a "pop-up studio" on Tuesday, Jan. 29, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the former Romania car dealership showroom building near the Romania warehouse on Orchard Street off Franklin Boulevard Snacks will be served.

Staff members will present design options incorporating the public’s ideas and discuss next steps Thursday, Jan. 31, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Jaqua Center for Student Athletes at the corner of East 13th Avenue and Agate Street. Appetizers will be served.   

Campus community members are encouraged to participate in as many of the forums as possible. Franklin Boulevard's redevelopment is especially relevant given the university's future growth, the addition of more student housing to the east and west, and the birth of the Knight Campus to the north.

The city will also collect comments online, or residents can call 541-682-6887 for more information.