Eugene mayor outlines plan to remake Highway 99 and neighborhoods

Mayor Kaarin Knudson delivered her second State of the City address Monday evening, framing 2026 as a year to connect neighborhoods, deepen public-safety gains downtown and tackle persistent transportation and governance challenges. Her agenda centers on turning the Highway 99 corridor and Polk Street into safer, more walkable public places while continuing investments in housing and infrastructure.

Knudson identified Polk Street, which links the Whiteaker and Friendly neighborhoods, and Highway 99 as top priorities. She said the city must reframe Highway 99 from a roadway into a public realm that safely connects community, with improvements for pedestrians, bicyclists and green space. That priority grows out of concerns raised by businesses and homeless advocates about safety along the corridor and the need for a design that supports commerce and neighborhood access.

The mayor highlighted concrete investments already under way. Eugene completed $10 million in street improvements in 2025 and secured FEMA funding for Amazon Creek restoration, moves that officials say will improve storm resilience and public amenities. Knudson also pointed to measurable public-safety gains downtown and announced a new peer navigation initiative intended to expand outreach and alternatives to enforcement for people experiencing homelessness.

Beyond streets and safety, Knudson addressed fire services and regional governance, urging a rethinking of how Eugene and Springfield provide fire response. She proposed exploring an arrangement in which the cities could operate separately while preserving mutual aid, or pursue other governance changes. Such options would require analysis of service levels, budgets, dispatch systems and any contractual or pension obligations.

Policy implications are significant. Reimagining Highway 99 will demand coordination with regional partners, investment decisions and a timeline for design and construction that balances traffic flow, business access and neighborhood livability. Polk Street projects will need community engagement across the Whiteaker and Friendly neighborhoods to ensure changes reflect residents’ needs. Any shift in fire governance would require formal negotiations with Springfield, review by elected councils and possible adjustments to funding or service models.

For residents, the mayor’s plan points to downtown streets that could feel safer and a Highway 99 corridor that prioritizes people over cars. It also signals potential debates ahead about how municipal services are organized and paid for. Those debates will be decided in public venues where neighborhood voices can influence outcomes.

Our two cents? Pay attention to the planning and council meetings on these topics, show up to shape designs for Polk and Highway 99, and ask elected officials for clear timelines and cost estimates before major changes move forward.