The new Farmers Market Pavilion is in the downtown park blocks across from the Lane County Courthouse in Eugene.
Rachael McDonald / KLCC
A community project in downtown Eugene is finally complete: The Lane County Farmers Market will be in its new year-round pavilion Saturday.
The 8,515 square-foot building is across from the county courthouse on the former “butterfly” parking lot.
Eric Brown is the city of Eugene’s Downtown Manager. He told KLCC the pavilion was built specifically for the Farmers Market. The light-filled structure is built with cross-laminated timber panels, made by DR Johnson in Riddle, Oregon.
“All of the materials are locally sourced, sustainable, and we think creates a beautiful, warm space that’s an expression of our community values and our local environment,” he said.
The Farmers Market will be able to operate year-round and grow in the space.
The plaza outside the Eugene Farmers Market Pavilion has more room for vendors and benches to sit on.
Rachael McDonald / KLCC
“This beautiful space, I think, really is a testament to how important local food is to this community,” said Meghan Verberkmoes, the market pavilion’s office and communications manager. “And, we’re really grateful to the City of Eugene and to everyone that’s been involved in making the market’s new home a reality. And we’re really excited for our future here.”
The space has a kitchen for cooking demos, bathrooms and sliding garage-style doors to bring in light and connect with the outdoor plaza.
“I think the hope is that this will feel very much like a community gathering space,” Verberkmoes added.
The Farmers Market Pavilion will be open to the public for First Friday Art walk on Saturday.
An official ribbon cutting ceremony for Eugene’s new Farmers Market Pavilion is planned for Thursday, June 9, at noon.