City of Oakridge (2024-2026)
The City of Oakridge has been selected by the University of Oregon’s Sustainable City Year Program (SCYP) for a two-year partnership. SCYP will match resources from existing university courses to high priority projects identified by the City Council and the Oakridge community such as the Oakridge Industrial Park marketing and development, Willamette Activity Center planning and outreach, city website improvements, urban renewal opportunities and research, housing development planning and design, community service program options, and affordable GIS alternatives for the city. SCYP courses to address these project ideas could include business, journalism, geography, planning, design, and public administration with more disciplines added throughout the year as project and course matches are made.
“The expertise and assistance from UO faculty and students will allow us to take-on far more projects and endeavors benefiting the city than we would otherwise be able to accomplish due to understaffing and limited funds.”
– James Cleavenger, Oakridge City Administrator
Nestled in the foothills of the Western Cascade Mountains and surrounded by the vast Willamette National Forest, the City of Oakridge offers unlimited outdoor opportunities, where families and businesses can live, work, play, and grow, in a safe and sustainable community. The citizens of the Oakridge area hold their history and culture close with events and productions all year around. The City of Oakridge is poised for diversified and sustainable growth in a number of industries. With robust physical and digital infrastructure in place, and a stunning mountain setting, it is easy to see a bright future studded with tourism and new business.
This SCYP and City of Oakridge partnership is 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. With additional funding from the city, the partnership will allow UO students and faculty to study and make recommendations on city-identified projects and issues.