For decades, a building in Eugene’s Whiteaker neighborhood served as a hub for advocates of a future with fewer cars and more bicycles. Now, it’s dividing the community it once brought together.
In 2021, the peach-colored building at 455 W. First Ave. was donated to Better Eugene-Springfield Transportation, known as BEST, a nonprofit focused on public transit, safe streets and better infrastructure for bicycles and pedestrians.
The organization pledged in business documents and news releases to act as a “community steward,” managing the building “in the public interest” and leasing space at a discount to nonprofits with similar missions…