What's that construction off of Franklin Boulevard by the University of Oregon campus?

Hannarose McGuinness, Eugene Register-Guard
·3 min read
The north entrance of the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact at the University of Oregon that faces the area where the new second building will be erected.
The north entrance of the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact at the University of Oregon that faces the area where the new second building will be erected.
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Project: Construction of Building 2 of the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, a bioengineering and applied science research facility, for the University of Oregon.

Location: 1100 Riverfront Parkway, Eugene.

Cranes and construction crews abound off of the University of Oregon campus on Franklin Boulevard, working to complete the newest addition to the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact. Construction has been ongoing since ground was broken in April 2023.

The building comes as the second phase of development for the Knight Campus in an effort to double the capacity for biomedical technology research and development, according to the University of Oregon’s project website.

Phase two of this project was funded by a $500 million donation from Phil and Penny Knight, the campus’ namesake, as well as $10 million obtained from the Oregon state Legislature for advancing the technologies to be developed at the Knight Campus. Phase one was completed with $500 million in funding from Phil and Penny Knight and $5 million from the Papè family.

University of Oregon Knight Campus Building 1 facilities

The Knight Campus Building 1 opened its doors in Sept. 2020, providing more facilities in addition to existing research core facilities on the university’s main campus.

Knight Campus core facilities located in Building 1 include rapid prototyping for the fabrication of parts and instruments, 3D printing for varieties of nylon, resins and bio-compatible materials, a clean room to support fabrication of micro- and nano-scale devices and an X-ray imaging facility. There are also instructional facilities to support the students who assist in conducting research. Research neighborhoods within the building are designed to support community and connection with open, light-filled mezzanine areas.

Construction continues on phase two of the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact. The second building of the complex is expected to be complete in spring of 2026.
Construction continues on phase two of the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact. The second building of the complex is expected to be complete in spring of 2026.

UO's Knight Campus Building 2 facilities

In addition to research facilities, the new building hopes to provide space to startup companies that can utilize the second of two Papè Family Innovation Center facilities to offer flexible, individual modules for lease to companies. The first center is located in Building 1 of the Knight Campus.

A 190-foot long, approximately 500-ton skybridge connects the Knight Campus to other science facilities at UO.

Construction will continue with occupancy expected in the spring of 2026.

Urban Farm land at UO campus

Since 1976, the Urban Farm has operated as a model and hands-on learning environment for alternative urban land use focused on integrating biological, ecological, social and economic concerns, according to the university’s Urban Farm website.

The Urban Farm Outdoor Classroom is located off of Franklin Boulevard in the Millrace Designated Open Space and has been utilizing an area north of the Urban Farm classroom boundary known as the “Back 40.” Formerly, this space was occupied with raised garden beds tended to by students in the program. The Urban Farm program also utilizes space near Columbia Street and 19th Avenue.

The skeleton of the newest scientific research facilities at the University of Oregon is under construction with an expected conclusion in spring of 2026. This will be the second building of the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact.
The skeleton of the newest scientific research facilities at the University of Oregon is under construction with an expected conclusion in spring of 2026. This will be the second building of the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact.

The Back 40 was designated as development space for phase two of Knight Campus construction. Early in 2023, project construction began and a 30-foot portion at the eastern edge of the farm has since been used for work zone staging.

Despite the commotion of construction, the university has worked to make sure that much of the Urban Farm Classroom remains intact. It maintains that the departments committed to the Urban Farm — the College of Design, the School of Architecture and Environment and the Department of Landscape Architecture — remain dedicated to the preservation and ongoing stewardship of this land. The associated courses and activities for the Urban Farm are expected to continue during construction.

Building Size: 185,000 square feet

General Contractor: Hoffman Construction Company, of Eugene.

Sources: City of Eugene Planning and Development Department Permit Records, University of Oregon.

Is there something under construction that you’d like to learn more about? Contact growth and development reporter Hannarose McGuinness at 541-844-9859 or hmcguinness@registerguard.com

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: University of Oregon Knight Campus new construction underway