Relief Nursery expansion moves ahead in Springfield.

Byline: Jack Moran The Register-Guard

SPRINGFIELD - The Relief Nursery, a Eugene-based child abuse prevention agency, has for years been working to extend its services eastward across Interstate 5.

The nonprofit organization on Monday moved one step closer to setting up a permanent home in Springfield, when the City Council voted unanimously to endorse the sale of a city-owned parcel on South 42nd Street.

Relief Nursery officials plan to build a full-service facility on the property, complete with classrooms, counseling offices, administrative space and meeting rooms.

"We want to bring our services to Springfield and serve (residents) in their own community," Sharri da Silva, the agency's executive director of programs, told city councilors.

Da Silva said one-third of the families receiving assistance from the Relief Nursery live in Springfield. To access those programs, most of them have to travel to the agency's headquarters in west Eugene.

The Relief Nursery has for a decade offered scattered services in Springfield, but officials say there is sufficient demand to establish a facility in the city where all of its programs can be housed under one roof.

Since it was formed in 1976, the Relief Nursery has become a nationally recognized organization - a result of its documented success in preventing child abuse and neglect. Eight communities in Oregon, including Cottage Grove, have opened relief nurseries based on the Eugene organization's model.

The agency's programs include early childhood education, parent training, substance abuse diagnosis and treatment, and emergency outreach and respite care to at-risk families.

Last year, more than 1,000 children from 740 families received Relief Nursery services, da Silva said.

Springfield Mayor Sid Leiken said he was pleased the agency is acting to address a demand for expanded services in the city.

"This is something that has been needed for quite some time,", Leiken said. "This will be very good for our com- munity."

Springfield city staff members will negotiate with Relief Nursery officials during the next few months to finalize a deal for the 1.5-acre property at 870 S. 42nd St., near Mount Vernon Elementary School.

The City Council on Monday approved the agency's offer of $267,000 for the parcel. A city-hired appraiser in April determined that to be the property's value.

The proposed deal would give the Relief Nursery three years to begin building its new facility.

If construction has not started by then, the city would have the option of buying back the South 42nd Street property at the original sale price.

Rodger Terrall, the agency's board president, said officials plan to raise private funds to pay for construction of the new building, which is expected to be between 13,000 and 15,000 square feet.

City staff members recommended to councilors that proceeds from the property sale be earmarked for downtown redevelopment activities.