About the Sustainable City Year Program
The Sustainable City Year Program is an innovative university-community partnership program founded by the Sustainable Cities Institute (SCI) at the University of Oregon in 2009-10. In this unique model, existing courses, faculty, and students from across campus are purposefully directed toward a single Oregon community over an academic year to address vexing issues identified by the community. SCYP and the students, faculty, and communities it partners with are a shining example of Oregon innovation, leadership, and how leveraging resources can contribute to meaningful, additional, and society-wide value.
SCYP is more than just students working on a project for a class. It is creating Oregon’s future workforce, developing a connection with local government and Oregon communities, and generating creative, out of the box ideas by high achieving students and faculty experts. The projects that SCYP works on are prioritized by our partners, which means they are important and relevant. It is difficult to put a limit on SCYP’s potential, just as communities have limitless possibilities to improve the quality of life for their residents, businesses, and visitors.
Funding Acknowledgment
Community partnerships are possible in part due to support from U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, as well as former Congressman Peter DeFazio, who secured federal funding for SCYP through Congressionally Directed Spending.
Partnering with SCYP
Cities and public agencies apply to partner with SCYP - learn more about the partnership process and how SCYP can help communities explore solutions to their biggest challenges.
2024-26 Partner
City of Oakridge
The City of Oakridge, Oregon, is a vibrant community nestled in the foothills of the Western Cascade Mountains, with a population of approximately 3,500 residents within city limits (nearly 5,000 when including nearby Westfir and surrounding areas). Surrounded by the extensive Willamette National Forest, the city provides ample opportunities for activities such as hiking and mountain biking, with nearly 500 miles of trails and five rivers in its vicinity. Oakridge's elevation (1,200-1,700 ft.) results in a favorable climate, characterized by over 300 sunny days annually, while avoiding the fog of the valley and the heavy snowfalls of higher elevations.
Governed by a council-manager system since 1972, Oakridge residents benefit from a robust and supportive municipal administration. The City offers a comprehensive range of services, including street maintenance, water, wastewater, and park utilities, as well as police, fire, and emergency medical services. Additional municipal services include library access, economic development, planning and zoning, and general administrative support. Funding for city operations is derived from property taxes, franchise fees, and other revenue sources, with special projects financed through grants and loans. In the past decade, Oakridge has secured nearly $11 million in grants and loans for community projects and maintains an annual budget of approximately $10 million.
The citizens of Oakridge cherish their history and cultural heritage, celebrating it through a variety of events and activities throughout the year. The long-standing Tree Planting Festival pays homage to Oakridge’s timber town roots, while the Concerts in the Park series offers free performances at the Banner Bank Amphitheater in Greenwaters Park. Additionally, Oakridge features four art galleries, three nearby hot springs, and is conveniently located just 25 miles from Willamette Pass Ski Resort. The Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area, approximately 35 miles away, further enriches the community’s cultural offerings with its vibrant arts scene, including music, theater, and access to the University of Oregon.
The City of Oakridge is committed to fostering a safe, livable, and sustainable environment for its residents while promoting economic development and community engagement. As part of its ongoing planning initiatives, Oakridge is exploring various strategies to enhance its sustainability and growth, ensuring that the community continues to thrive for generations to come. The partnership between the Sustainable City Year Program and the City of Oakridge is supported by local stakeholders, enabling University of Oregon students and faculty to collaborate on projects and provide recommendations to address city-identified challenges and opportunities.
SPRING 2024
GIS Alternatives for Small Cities
- City Partner Lead: Rick Zylstra
- Class: PPPM 495/595 Advanced GIS
- Faculty: Yizhao Yang
Project Description: In the realm of geographic information systems (GIS), open-source software has emerged as a valuable tool for smaller communities with limited funds. With a wide range of available options, the City of Oakridge sought to better understand which products would best meet their needs. Students researched and made recommendations on the ideal suite of GIS products that could 1) be used with basic GIS skills and understanding; 2) import, analyze, modify, and display commonly used vector and raster data; 3) incorporate and integrate data from the field; and 4) create understandable and visually appealing map products.
FALL 2024
Oakridge Industrial Park Marketing
- City Partner Leads: James Cleavenger and Rick Zylstra
- Class: Lundquist College of Business Oregon Consulting Group
- Faculty: Scott Day
Project Description: The City acquired the Oakridge Industrial Park (OIP) in the mid-1990s and still owns 13 parcels that are available for sale or lease. The City would like to develop a strategic marketing program for the OIP, leveraging industrial and commercial market trends to target specific industrial sectors. Oregon Consulting Group (OCG) will analyze targeted industry data and recommend measures to attract industry more effectively for parcels zoned Heavy Industrial, Light Industrial, or Mixed Use.
FALL 2024
Middle Housing Development
- City Partner Lead: Rick Zylstra
- Class: ARCH 484/584 Architecture Design Studio
- Faculty: Christina Bollo
Project Description: The City of Oakridge recently completed a Housing Needs Analysis (HNA), which identified the need for higher density zoning and middle housing to meet workforce and affordable housing needs. Architecture students will design and propose higher density housing typologies that are contextually appropriate for Oakridge neighborhoods.
WINTER 2025
Website Update
- City Partner Leads: James Cleavenger and Rick Zylstra
- Class: JCOM 430/530 Engaged Journalism
- Faculty: Andrew DeVigal
Project Description: Students in Andrew DeVigal's Engaged Journalism course will consider how the city's website and the local newspaper create a link to the community. Students will identify, through a survey and/or listening session, how to enhance local news and civic information's quality and reach, and how stronger, more resilient community bonds can be created. Rooted in the conviction that a well-informed public is essential for a functioning democracy, the project aspires to be a conduit for community-driven solutions and democratic participation.
WINTER 2025
Community Service Program
- City Partner Lead: James Cleavenger
- Class: PPPM 410 Real World Lane County
- Faculty: Aniko Drlik-Muehleck and Amanda Ferguson
Project Description: The City of Oakridge operates a Municipal Court dealing with various violations and misdemeanors. However, many citizens can't afford fines, which leads to a lack of justice implementation. To address this, a "community service program" is proposed, which would allow defendants to fulfill their fines through volunteer work instead. Nonprofit organizations in Oakridge are willing to supervise participants, track their hours, and provide training for future use. Legal considerations, especially regarding voluntariness due to Oregon Measure 112, which prohibits involuntary servitude, need to be addressed to develop a sustainable program.
WINTER 2025
Urban Renewal & Tax Increment Funding (tentative)
- Faculty: Scott Day
- City Partner Leads: James Cleavenger and Rick Zylstra
- Class: Lundquist College of Business Oregon Consulting Group
Project Description: Students in the Oregon Consulting Group will research urban renewal best practices for the City of Oakridge, specifically whether Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is viable. Oakridge has two commercial districts, Highway and Central, both of which could benefit from funding for improvements. This research will analyze the tax base of these districts to assess the feasibility of establishing an Urban Renewal District and creation of TIF. Public input will be important to determine potential district boundaries, budget, potential programs, and assessing the impact on the City’s General Fund.
FALL 2024 AND WINTER 2025
Wastewater Treatment Facility Capital Improvement Planning
- City Partner Lead: Rick Zylstra
- Class: PPPM 415/515 Policy and Planning Analysis
- Faculty: Joel Hicks
Project Description: The project addresses capital improvement planning and potential funding sources for the city’s aging infrastructure, focusing on the Oakridge Wastewater Treatment Facility. Students will provide preliminary analysis, identify constraints and performance goals, identify emerging technologies, and aggregate best practice research from comparable communities. Students will then investigate basic cost/benefit analysis of installing a methane collection capability and identify potential state/federal funding sources for technical support and/or implementation of potential upgrades. Winter term graduate students will build out more detailed recommendations based on feedback from Oakridge.
WINTER & SPRING 2025
Willamette Activity Center Redevelopment
- Faculty: Dyana Mason and Aniko Drlik-Muehleck
- City Partner Leads: James Cleavenger and Rick Zylstra
- Class: PPPM 620 & 688 Nonprofit Consultancy
Project Description: The Willamette Activities Center (WAC) is undergoing redevelopment and remodeling efforts due to its closure in 2022. The goal is to transform the 29,000 square foot building into a hub for various community services, including health care, emergency response, and social activities. Funding from multiple sources has made this revitalization possible, with plans to make the WAC a “Resilience Hub” and Emergency Operations Center during emergencies. Students will work to develop a comprehensive fundraising strategy, identifying potential funding sources and outlining approaches for soliciting donations, grants, and sponsorships.
FALL 2024 & WINTER 2025 MBA LEVEL (tentative)
Destination Oakridge: Marketing Strategies to Improve Local Tourism
- Faculty: Conor Henderson
- City Partner Leads: James Clevenger and Jude Anderson (Chamber of Commerce)
- Class: MKTG 311 Marketing Management
Project Description: The City of Oakridge is looking to promote tourism and attract new residents to Oakridge. Students will work to develop a brand narrative and messaging framework that communicates Oakridge’s unique identity as a destination for outdoor adventure and community vitality. Students will conduct background research and create recommendations for marketing offerings that could highlight local businesses, attractions, and events. Winter term graduate students will build out more detailed recommendations based on feedback from Oakridge.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to the City of Oakridge for the opportunity to be a part of Oakridge’s future. Special thanks to Rick Zylstra, Oakridge Community Development Director, and James Cleavenger, Oakridge City Administrator, for serving as the lead contacts for project coordination and support. SCYP also acknowledges the Oakridge City Council, Mayor, and staff.
This SCYP and City of Oakridge partnership is possible, in part, with support from U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, as well as former Congressman Peter DeFazio, who secured federal funding for SCYP through Congressionally Directed Spending and the US Department of Education. With additional matching funds from the City of Oakridge, the partnership will allow UO students and faculty to study and make recommendations on city-identified projects and issues.