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- calendar_today November 13, 2026
New Storage Development Moves Forward Near Downtown Eugene
Construction is scheduled to begin next week on a four-story storage building at the intersection of 13th Avenue and Willamette Street, just north of downtown Eugene's fire station. The development is led by Donald Conty, a Denver, Colorado-based developer, who recently purchased the vacant lot with plans to offer about 600 storage units in a variety of sizes.
Addressing Urban Storage Demand
The project aims to address a growing need for storage units in central Eugene, particularly for residents of new apartments and University of Oregon students, many of whom face limited living space due to rising rents and home prices. Conty explained that "there is an absolute demand" for storage units, describing the storage building as a supplemental solution for those dealing with smaller homes or apartments.
Site Details and History
The half-acre lot, which is zoned for commercial use, sits immediately north of The Tate condominiums. The lot has a storied history; it once housed two older buildings, including a radio station, and has been vacant for about five years. During this time, it became a gathering place for unhoused individuals, and at one point, a fire broke out in an encampment there. The most recent previous owner had demolished the old buildings in anticipation of a new development.
Neighborhood Reactions and City Approval
Not all neighbors are pleased with the arrival of a new storage complex. Mark Hudson, a resident of The Tate, described the project as “a very inappropriate use of the land,” hoping for affordable housing instead. Nevertheless, city planners determined in 2022 that the project's design, traffic flow, and landscaping met all municipal requirements. Senior planner Reid Verner noted the efficiency of a multi-story storage complex in urban areas, emphasizing the importance of providing storage services in locations where higher housing density comes with decreased living space.
Plans and Market Context
The future storage building will occupy approximately 21,600 square feet of the 25,500-square-foot lot, with a total building area of about 80,000 square feet. Renters will be able to drive inside the building to load and unload items. According to Lane County records, the property has a market value of $1.2 million.
This project is not the first multi-story storage complex in the Eugene-Springfield area. U-Haul opened a five-story, 143,000-square-foot storage building on Highway 99 last year, and another multi-story facility was built in Springfield's Gateway area a decade ago.
Project Timeline and Background
Construction is expected to take about a year. The property was acquired by Conty’s group, DDB OR Eugene LLC, last month from a Utah-based developer who had already secured the necessary permits. Conty and his partners have developed roughly 25 storage buildings in other markets, and he indicated that his team has familiarity with Eugene, noting that some have children attending the University of Oregon.
The new storage complex highlights a shift in downtown Eugene’s development, catering to apartment dwellers and homeowners looking for additional space amid high living costs and dense urban housing.
Source: eugeneweekly.com.
