Walnut Street Co-Op

Started in 2000, the Walnut Street Co-op is a cooperative household located on 1680 Walnut St. in South Eugene – between University of Oregon and Hendrick’s park.

Admittedly, countless superficial associations surround the word co-op like cult, communism, vegetables, and, a personal favorite, dreadlocks. While these are indeed characteristics of a few rare co-ops across the country, most co-ops, including the Walnut Street Co-op aren’t all about unshaved legs, unrestricted drug use, or a hippie lifestyle. In fact, the Walnut Street Co-op has a simple vision based on creating shifts in society toward dialog, reflection, and integration of diverse viewpoints.

Tree Bressen, a University of New Jersey graduate of Communication, works as a group mediator for several local co-ops. Also one of the founding members of the Walnut St. Co-op, Bressen says, “I grew up in a normal New Jersey lifestyle, but the transformation to a cooperative lifestyle was pretty easy. It’s about living out values and people trying to create a lifestyle that prioritizes cooperation over competition. It’s not perfect, but it stresses respect and decency.”

She also lived in a co-op that produced community supported agriculture, which means the co-op worked collectively to sell produce to community grocery stores. Bressen states, “At a co-op, including Walnut Street, ideas are listened to regardless of age or sex; the power dynamics are leveled.”

Walnut Street Co-op was bought from the original owner in 2003, with a community revolving loan. Basically, founding members borrowed money from friends and family – overstepping a traditional bank loan. Generally co-ops are funded through NAFCO, a group that funds student co-ops, or through a landlord. While some co-ops have collective funds, residents at the Walnut Street Co-op still have individual funds – working normal jobs.

The co-op also shares household chores, including nightly family dinners, and weekly meetings, with a new leader each week.

With nine residents, the co-op has moments characteristic of the all-out drama-fest MTV’s
Real World – save the drunken fisticuffs and late night police calls. When asked about conflict resolution, Bressen said, “Usually we can resolve conflicts by having people sit down and discuss the issue. Usually the house is very supportive.”

In extreme cases the house hires outside mediators. Usually the house splits the cost with the people in the argument. “It’s important that these conflicts are resolved so the house can continue to embody the collective lifestyle,” says Bressen.

But with conflicts there are also memorable moments. “I remember in about 2003, the power went out, so we all were cramped in the living room playing guitar and singing. When the power turned back on, it was almost like a disappointment,” recalls Bressen.

The Walnut Street Co-op is currently taking applications for new members. The co-op is generally interested in long term membership, but will also consider applications for 3-12 months residents.

When asked why the cooperative lifestyle, Bressen says, “Listen, you can talk about the flawed system, try to fight it, or you can create a better system – that’s what co-ops work towards.”

For more information check out www.icetree.com/walnut or call 541-484-1156.

Article by Zak Weinberg