What the Commissioners Had To Say

The Blue River session was the first time the Lane County Board of Commissioners held a meeting outside of Harris Hall. They gathered to hear firsthand about ongoing recovery efforts – five years after a wildfire devastated the heart of the upper McKenzie River area.

East Lane Commissioner Heather Buch acknowledged the extraordinary recovery work that has taken place since the fire. She said that while much of the most flexible disaster funding has already been spent, the county is now relying on federal Community Development Block Grant recovery dollars – resources she described as “the most administratively burdensome dollars to utilize.”

Buch emphasized that rebuilding requires both housing and economic recovery. While some homes have returned, she said, commercial revitalization remains “sorely lacking, or basically non-existent.” She pointed out the difficulty of channeling public money into private businesses but promised to continue advocating for solutions.

North Eugene Commissioner Pat Farr echoed those concerns after touring the area. He praised the quality of the new housing but expressed disappointment that Blue River’s iconic Myer’s General Store remains closed. Farr questioned the distribution of recovery funds, noting that of roughly $6 million allocated for economic revitalization, only $2 million is earmarked for business recovery, while $1.244 million – more than 20 percent – is set aside for county administration.

“I’m not going to rest until I can buy chips in Blue River,” Farr said, underscoring the community importance of reopening the store.

Connecting online, South Eugene Commissioner Laurie Trieger apologized for missing a tour of the area but praised the community’s perseverance. Reflecting on a previous visit, she said she was moved by how far the community has come – though losses still cut deep. “Homes are being rebuilt,” she said, “but what was inside those homes can’t be replaced.” Trieger said she remains committed to supporting ongoing recovery work and plans to return for another visit when more projects, like the library and the Rose Street Cottages, are complete.

West Lane Commissioner Ryan Ceniga described the tour as “both inspiring and heart-wrenching.” He recounted a conversation at the Obsidian Grill where a resident told him that community, more than infrastructure, is what sustains people through loss. Ceniga expressed disappointment at the stalled commercial recovery but praised residents’ determination and the “very special” Rose complex housing development now underway.

Assistant county manager Greg Rickhoff, who lost his home in the fire, spoke emotionally about the ongoing recovery. He said the loss of the general store represented more than just a missing busines, saying it was the loss of a gathering place where neighbors met and shared daily life.

Chair David Loveall? closed the meeting by agreeing that small businesses have been overlooked in recovery planning. “Stores and gathering places are the heart of a community,” he said, quoting a resident who called them “sources of emotional and relational connection that money can’t put a price on.” Loveall promised to help the community navigate bureaucratic challenges, calling the session his “favorite meeting” in ten years on the board for its positivity and candor.

Before adjourning, commissioners committed to continued advocacy at the state and federal levels, with a shared goal of ensuring that the heart of Blue River – its homes, its people, and its businesses – fully returns.