EWEB entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) regarding the Demolition of the College Hill Reservoir System on July 31, 2024. The MOA outlines several projects that EWEB will undertake to memorialize the reservoir system and its role in our community. The projects were selected based on input from the public, stakeholders, and agency representatives which was gathered from August 2023 to April 2024.
Plan Elements
The final plan includes onsite, offsite, and online elements to maximize accessibility and reach.
On Site
Repurpose Reservoir Railing
EWEB will ensure construction/demolition bid documents for the project include provisions for salvaging and repurposing up to 100 Reservoir 607 railing bollards, with the goal that at least 25 will be salvaged in a condition that will make them acceptable for repurpose. Once the railing materials are secured, EWEB will work with their chosen landscape designer/architect to ensure the design of new landscaping plans incorporates the repurposed railing. The exact size, shape, and configuration of the repurposed railing in the landscape will be dependent on numerous factors, including but not limited to the number of bollards that can be successfully salvaged in an appropriate condition for repurpose in a public use; the final design of the College Hill Reservoir parcels; and other priorities based on the results of EWEB’s public process for the landscape design (i.e., public feedback and preference). EWEB will ensure the landscape design physically integrates the bollards as elements of the Interpretive Display (see Stipulation I.C), by placing the bollards within view of the interpretive display and including the bollards as discussion points in the interpretive panels. The bollards will be repurposed in such a way as to reasonably ensure their longevity for a minimum of five (5) years.
Interpretive Display
EWEB will create and install an interpretive display about the College Hill Reservoir system. The display will be located within the boundaries of the College Hill Reservoir public area. The display will be visible and accessible by the public with access pathways conforming to guidelines set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act. The display will:
-
Include interpretive text and photographs describing the evolution and expansion of water use in the area over time, the College Hill Reservoir system’s role as part of the growth and development of the College Hill neighborhood and the city of Eugene, and the impact of the College Hill Reservoir system on the public health of the region (specific to drinking water).
-
Include interpretive content inspired by the interpretive standards outlined by the Smithsonian Institute, National Park Service, and National Association for Interpretation, as well as the principles of universal design.
-
Include interpretive panels or other signage totaling a minimum of six (6) square feet. This can be presented in one panel (e.g., 2 feet by 3 feet) or in multiple panels of smaller size. Panels or other interpretive signage will be of a quality to last a minimum of five (5) years.
-
Include information regarding the repurposed reservoir railing bollards and be proximate to the bollards’ location in the landscape (see Stipulation I.B).
-
Be prepared by persons that possess the skills of a qualified Historian, Architectural Historian, Cultural Resource Specialist, or Interpretive Specialist, working with an organization that can create and design professional quality interpretive displays.
Near the Site
Mural Depiction of the Reservoir
EWEB will work with a local artist and/or community organization (such as Urban Canvas, the City of Eugene’s local mural program) to create a piece of public art (a mural) that depicts the historic-period conditions of the College Hill Reservoir system. EWEB will fund the piece. EWEB will ensure the location of the mural is publicly accessible and is as geographically proximate to the College Hill Reservoir system location as possible.
Online
Digitization of College Hill Reservoir System Records
EWEB will work with a local or statewide repository (such as the Lane County Historical Society, the Oregon Historical Society, or the University of Oregon Knight Library) to ensure that the College Hill Reservoir System Records collection are archived, digitized, and maintained for public use. The College Hill Reservoir System Records will include historic-period photographs and reservoir engineering and construction-related drawings.
--
Read the full Memorandum of Agreement.
