The University of Oregon has bought the former Willamette Stationers building and plans to renovate it into art studios and a gallery. (Dylan Darling/The Register-Guard photo)

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) The University of Oregon is expanding its presence in downtown Eugene.

The Eugene Register-Guard reported the university has bought the former Willamette Stationers building near the railway station and plans to renovate it into art studios and a gallery.

The Dean of the UO College of Design, Christoph Linder, said the project will cost $5 million — $1.8 million to buy the building earlier this month and $3.2 million to renovate it.

The UO plans to divide the two-story building into 24 studios and a storefront gallery and have it open next summer.

The brick building has two floors with high ceilings and a freight elevator

The UO will begin site preparations this fall for the campus's construction.

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