Housing construction near UO campus creates parking crunch for Eugene businesses

Dozens of on-street parking spaces and stretches of sidewalk near the University of Oregon have been fenced off for multiple large housing projects, and business owners say the loss of parking and blocked access have already cut customer traffic and revenue.

Owners on East 13th Avenue and nearby blocks say three simultaneous construction projects have changed the economic footprint of the University District. Josh Zweifler, owner of Sy’s New York Pizza, said city approvals did not account for local impacts: “They approved three enormous construction projects - some of the biggest construction projects that have ever taken place in Eugene - all at the exact same time. Like, they gave no consideration whatsoever to how it was going to affect the businesses.” Developers and contractors are expected to add between 100 and 500 student beds, with a targeted completion date of summer 2027.

Business owners reported that between 40 and 100 parking spaces have been lost on affected blocks, forcing customers to circle for long stretches. TJ Monney, co-owner of Nelson’s, said he “circled around four different blocks at least four different times to try and find a spot to park.” One local community member put the day-to-day effect bluntly: “It’s very bad, especially if you want to eat at Dave's Hot Chicken. It’s very hard to find parking.” Delivery drivers and employees are also feeling the squeeze; owners reported only one 30-minute delivery spot remains in the area and employees often must pay meter fees throughout shifts to avoid tickets.

Small businesses are taking immediate steps to stay visible. Webfoot and other retailers have posted signs on construction fencing to show they are open and explain access. Hyland Construction is permitting signage on fencing and, according to local reporting, is funding the signs for affected businesses. The city has reallocated three commercial parking spots on 12th Street to help delivery services. The Duck Store said it “do not have any complaints” and understands the need for a protected pedestrian path to keep students and visitors safe.

University officials pointed to existing campus lots as a partial relief, with James McGladrey, associate director of Transportation Services at the University of Oregon, noting that “University parking lots are available to people without parking permits on weekends or after 6 p.m.[during weekdays]. So people are welcome to come and use our parking lots to visit some of these local businesses.”

Economic risk is tangible for some operators. One business source, identified only as Pituk in reporting, warned “You take away parking, right? No parking, no people, no revenue. It's honestly just that simple,” and added that without matching last year’s revenue “we're going to be shut down in three months.”

Requests to the Eugene Planning and Development Office for explanation of approvals and for developer-level details were not returned. For neighbors, the immediate outlook is months of reduced visibility and constrained access as construction continues toward the summer 2027 completion window. The clash between short-term construction externalities and the long-term supply of student housing leaves city officials, developers and the university with a key policy choice: expand mitigation now or risk permanent damage to small businesses that line the University District.