UO E-clips, Nov. 21

UO ready for fast break on arena (Register-Guard): So far, the University of Oregon’s ambitious basketball arena project has been all debate and little action, but that’s about to change. Excavation and site preparation for the 12,500-seat, $227 million arena could begin within two weeks, now that a key deadline has passed. Opponents had until Wednesday to file an appeal of the conditional use permit granted for the project, but city offices closed for the day without a challenge being filed. The companies handling the project are expected to file building permit applications shortly and work out a performance agreement with the city setting out the construction plan. After that, a project that at times seemed mired in process and talk will race the clock as builders try to finish by the time basketball play begins in fall 2010.

UO makes meatless list (Register-Guard): From the walnut loaf to the tofu curry, the University of Oregon is one of the top dogs when it comes to meat-free cuisine. The UO landed in the No. 3 spot in an animal rights group’s annual list of the country’s top vegan- and vegetarian-friendly campuses. It’s the first time in the three years the list has been published that the university has been mentioned. Tom Driscoll, the food services manager for UO residence halls, said it just comes from trying to give the people what they want. And with students going through more than 10,000 pounds of tofu a year, it seems clear what they want. “We pretty much offer a vegetarian and vegan alternative to everything on the menu,” Driscoll said. “If we’re doing hamburgers, you’re going to find our mushroom burger. If we’re doing teriyaki chicken, you’re going to find teriyaki tempe skewers alongside of it. if we’re doing meatloaf, you’re going to find walnut loaf as an alternative.”

Next ‘New Deal’ (Portland Business Journal): Government officials want to kick-start the dormant regional economy with billions of dollars in public works projects, leaving local manufacturers and contractors eager to nab a share. Plans such as Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s proposal to spend $500 million on transportation projects annually over several years has Portland Bolt & Manufacturing Co. hopeful to fill its growing northwest Portland plant. ... “I don’t think it’s a reason in a downturn just for a state to build pyramids,” said Joe A. Stone, an economics professor at the University of Oregon.

University Will Build New $200 Million Arena (OPB News): The University of Oregon could begin construction of a new basketball arena within two weeks. The final deadline to appeal construction ended Wednesday, and no appeals were filed. That means Thursday, the city of Eugene effectively approved the conditional use permit for the arena. Lisa Gardner is the planning director for the city of Eugene. She said that without an appeal, all that’s left for the University is paperwork. Lisa Gardner: “The University can submit their building permits. So, there’s a building permit process. And as we understand it, they will be submitting the building permit in phases. We have certain requirements and they are really set out in state building code.” The plans for the 12,000 fan arena carry a $225 million price tag. Some claim it’s the most expensive college-built basketball arena in U.S. history. The Oregon Ducks currently play basketball and other sports in cramped MacArthur Court, one of the oldest gyms in the country. If construction begins this year, the University says the arena could open in about two years.