[4] When Amtrak took over intercity rail operations in 1971, it cut back service to a single train through Eugene, what eventually became the Coast Starlight.

For the next 13 years, the only intercity service through Eugene was the Coast Starlight, which arrived northbound at lunchtime and southbound during the afternoon rush.

Southern Pacific sold the building to the Jenova Land Company in 1993, and ten years later the city of Eugene bought the depot as part of a plan to develop a regional transportation center.

Workers restored the exterior brickwork and trim and gutted and renovated the interior.

New tile floors, oak and fir trim, covered ceilings, wooden benches and expanded bathrooms were installed.