Fermenting Change: Development in Eugene's Whiteaker Neighborhood

Abstract

In the past 10 years, craft fermented beverage businesses – breweries, urban wineries, cideries, meaderies, and distilleries – have proliferated in Eugene’s Whiteaker neighborhood. This study documents the changes that have occurred in the neighborhood and the community’s perceptions of those changes. Based on these observations, I draw out lessons to help community and economic development practitioners better harness the benefits and mitigate the impacts of neighborhood-scale change. Although the Whiteaker’s transformation has been far from painless, the neighborhood’s experience offers insight into conscientious development. Land use changes have resulted in an emerging economic prosperity without completely undermining the neighborhood’s identity.