No place like the present.

Byline: Edward Russo The Register-Guard

Eugene's next City Hall may end up in a familiar place - on the same block as the present City Hall.

The City Council on Wednesday changed course in a close vote and selected the block at East Eighth Avenue and Pearl Street for a new City Hall.

Last December, councilors had endorsed the idea of an L-shaped city hall on a different site: the block south of the Hilton Eugene. Since then, the problems and expense of acquiring properties on that block prompted the council to consider the site of city government's present home.

"I've made no secret that I like the existing City Hall site," said Councilor Chris Pryor. "It's the simplest, most direct, and we own it."

The City Council wants to replace the 43-year-old City Hall, which city officials consider too small, energy-inefficient and vulnerable to an earthquake.

A new complex with room to accommodate city offices now scattered elsewhere downtown could cost as much as $130 million. City officials figure that a voter-approved bond measure would be needed to pay for much of it, perhaps in 2008.

If voters approve the money, the existing City Hall would have to be razed and city offices temporarily moved to make way for a new building.

Some councilors on Wednesday weren't ready to give up on the block south of the Hilton and cater-cornered from the Hult Center for the Performing Arts.

To use that block, the city would have to acquire three private properties, including the Rock N Rodeo nightclub building, plus the county-owned parking garage west of the Lane County courthouse.

Councilor Bonny Bettman favored locating on that block. She said the Lane County Board of Commissioners might be willing to sell because, in a separate discussion, they are asking the city to help them acquire land for a possible new fairgrounds in northwest Eugene.

But other councilors noted that Rock N Rodeo building owner Ada Lee has said she is unwilling to sell.

Pryor on Wednesday referred to the narrow council majority's willingness to consider eminent domain to acquire two forested parcels near the Amazon headwaters. He opposes condemning those parcels.

`She (Lee) doesn't want to sell,' Pryor said. "I don't want to get into another condemnation."

Councilor Alan Zelenka said county officials may be willing to sell their parking structure, which sits across from the county courthouse, but they would expect the city to build replacement parking for the county nearby.

The city staff estimates that could cost up to $11.5 million.

"That is too expensive," Zelenka said. "That takes (that site) off the list for me."

There also are potential legal problems. The administrator for Lane County Circuit Court told county and city officials that selling the land under the parking garage to the city would violate the property's original deed, which requires the property be used by the county.

"It is possible that this matter would need to be resolved through legal action," the staff said in a report to councilors.

Four councilors - Pryor, Zelenka, Jennifer Solomon and Andrea Ortiz - voted for the present City Hall block. Councilor George Poling, who in December voted for the existing City Hall site, was absent. Councilor Mike Clark joined Bettman and Councilor Betty Taylor in opposition.

Clark said he could not support moving ahead with planning a new City Hall while the city struggles with other issues, including finding money to repair streets.

He noted that Lane County government's finances are so uncertain that county officials may ask the city to take over providing some services traditionally managed by the county.

"We are moving too quick here," Clark said.

With the site selected, the council then instructed architects to develop a master plan and authorized spending another $789,000 on architects and consultants.

Clark joined the council majority to vote in favor of the two items. Bettman and Taylor voted against them.

With the new expenditure, the city will have spent more than $2 million on planning a new City Hall, said Mike Penwell, facility project manager.