Oak Ridge Today

Pool’s final day of season Aug. 6, first-ever Puppy Pool Party on Aug. 7

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Oak Ridge Outdoor Swimming Pool July 2016

The Oak Ridge Outdoor Swimming Pool is pictured above in July 2016. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

 

The Oak Ridge Outdoor Swimming Pool will be closing soon for the season, but before it does, the pool will re-open for one final day this season and the city will host its first-ever Puppy Pool Party.

The outdoor pool will close Sunday, July 31, and be closed through the first week of August. The pool will re-open one last time for the season on Saturday, August 6, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

On Sunday, August 7, from 5-7 p.m., the outdoor pool will host its first Puppy Pool Party, a press release said. All dogs must be non-aggressive and kept on leashes. Pet owners must also have proof of current vaccinations. There is a fee of $3 per dog to participate, or each owner may bring a donation of canned or dry dog food to support the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter. [Read more…]

Revised: Road closure in Oak Ridge on Tuesday

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The Oak Ridge Public Works Department will close the east bound lane (one lane only) on Pennsylvania Avenue from Hillside Road to West Passmore Road on Tuesday, July 26. The Electric Department work in this area has been delayed. The single lane road closure is necessary for crews to patch a strip of the road on Pennsylvania Avenue.

“Residents are urged to use extreme care and caution while driving in the area, and we ask that you consider using alternate routes,” a press release said. “We apologize for any inconvenience this closure may cause and appreciate your patience.” [Read more…]

Fox Auto Salvage shutting down, could be replaced by heavy equipment leasing company

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Fox Auto Salvage July 22 2016

Fox Auto Salvage on Melton Lake Drive is shutting down, and the business could be replaced by a company that leases heavy equipment, the Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission was told Thursday, July 21, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Fox Auto Salvage on Melton Lake Drive is shutting down, and the business could be replaced by a company that leases heavy equipment, the Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission learned Thursday.

Owner Tom Fox of Fox Auto Salvage said the business has been open since 1981, and he’s owned it since 1997.

Fox Auto Salvage is no longer accepting salvaged cars, and the company has disposed of most everything, Fox said. [Read more…]

Several roads closed Tuesday, maybe Wednesday for road, utility work

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Several roads will be closed near Oak Ridge High School on Tuesday, July 26, 2016, and possibly Wednesday, July 27, for roadway and utility work, officials said. (Image by City of Oak Ridge)

Several roads will be closed near Oak Ridge High School on Tuesday, July 26, 2016, and possibly Wednesday, July 27, for roadway and utility work, officials said. (Image by City of Oak Ridge)

 

Note: This road closure notice has been updated. See newer story here.

Several roads will be closed near Oak Ridge High School on Tuesday and possibly Wednesday for roadway and utility work, officials said.

The roads will be closed for work by the Oak Ridge Public Works Department and Oak Ridge Electric Department. The closures will allow crews to patch a strip of the road on Pennsylvania Avenue and reset a utility pole on the island at the junction of the following roads: Pennsylvania Avenue from Hillside Road to Vermont Avenue, the east end of Pasadena Road, North Tulane, and the west end of Passmore Lane, a press release said. [Read more…]

Mother receives free home energy upgrades through city, TVA program; more spots available

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MORE2 Home Improvements Quilliams Heat Pump July 20 2016

Brittany Quilliams of Oak Ridge stands next to a new heat pump installed as part of the Make Oak Ridge Energy Efficient program, which is funded by a $2.9 million Tennessee Valley Authority grant announced in September 2015. Quilliams’ home on Bunker Lane is one of the first three improved in Oak Ridge, and she shared her story with media and officials on Wednesday, July 20, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 10:15 a.m.

A single mother of two received free energy upgrades to her home through a program funded by a $2.9 million Tennessee Valley Authority grant, and more spots are available for qualified Oak Ridge residents interested in the free energy efficiency improvements.

During a ceremony at lunchtime Wednesday, Brittany Quilliams said the improvements to her home on Bunker Lane in west Oak Ridge include a heat pump, which replaced her old heating and air-conditioning system; ductwork under her house; insulation in her attic; and new vents at the back of her house. The updates were completed about a month-and-a-half ago.

Quilliams said she has noticed that her home, one of the first three to be upgraded in Oak Ridge, is cooling quicker. Though she’s only received one utility bill since the upgrades, she has noticed a change in the bill.

“I think more people should take advantage of it,” said Quilliams, referring to the energy efficiency program. “It saves me money. It’s a great program.”

The program is called Make Oak Ridge Energy Efficient, or MORE2. There are 200 spots left in the program, which is available to residents who meet income requirements and live in homes that have electric heat and are at least 20 years old, among other qualifications. Participants can either own or rent the qualifying home, which must be within the city limits.

[Read more…]

Mall demolition begins with ceremonial groundbreaking, knocking down of wall

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Main Street Oak Ridge Groundbreaking July 20 2016

Demolition of the former Oak Ridge Mall began Wednesday, July 20, 2016, with a ceremonial groundbreaking and the knocking down of a wall near the former Goody’s store, starting construction on a 58-acre mixed-use retail development known as Main Street Oak Ridge. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 7 p.m.

Demolition of the former Oak Ridge Mall began Wednesday with a ceremonial groundbreaking and the knocking down of a wall near the former Goody’s store, starting construction on a 58-acre mixed-use retail development known as Main Street Oak Ridge.

Demolition could last three months, and the construction of two new stores, T.J. Maxx and Dick’s Sporting Goods, could start where the former Sears building is in October. New stores could open in the spring of 2017.

Officials, business representatives, and the community celebrated with a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday. About 300 or more people attended. After the groundbreaking on a hot, sunny summer afternoon, those celebrating, including children and adults, had a chance to spray graffiti on part of the old mall as a fundraiser for the renovation of Blankenship Field.

Main Street Oak Ridge is now the largest multi-tenant commercial retail project in the city, said Parker Hardy, president of the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce. [Read more…]

Oliver Springs budget approved

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Information from WYSH Radio

The Oliver Springs budget for the fiscal year that began on July 1 has been approved.

The budget includes no property tax rate increase, but officials said that could change next year as the town continues to address needed upgrades to its sewer system and the continuing increase in the cost of employee healthcare. [Read more…]

More details on Wednesday groundbreaking at Main Street Oak Ridge

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Main Street Oak Ridge Demolition Equipment July 18 2016 Slider

RealtyLink, the Greenville, South Carolina, company developing Main Street Oak Ridge at the former Oak Ridge Mall, has said demolition machinery would be at the site the week of July 18. Above, some machinery is pictured at the site on Monday, July 18, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The city has released a few more details on the groundbreaking at Main Street Oak Ridge on Wednesday. The main details are the location and the names of some of the participants.

The groundbreaking is scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 20, inside the fence on the JCPenney, Belk, and Cinemark Tinseltown side of the 300 block of East Main Street.

Those scheduled to participate are Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch, members of Oak Ridge City Council, Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson, Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce President Parker Hardy, and others who have played a significant role in project development.

The public is invited. [Read more…]

Council to discuss city marketing, eighth rowing lane, housing, Main Street

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SIRA-Regatta-April-17-2016-6

Officials and referees monitor races on the seven-lane rowing course at the 2016 SIRA Championship Regatta in Oak Ridge on Sunday, April 17, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The Oak Ridge City Council on Tuesday will discuss city marketing, the potential eighth lane at the rowing course, housing, and Main Street Oak Ridge.

The issues will be discussed during a non-voting work session of the Oak Ridge City Council at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, in the Multipurpose Room of the Central Services Complex on Woodbury Lane, which is behind the Kmart shopping center.

There are other agenda items that could also be discussed: pending U.S. Department of Energy projects and public comment requests, and updates on the Oak Ridge Senior Center and Friendship Bell.

The report on visitation marketing will be presented by Marc DeRose, executive director of Explore Oak Ridge (the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau). [Read more…]

City to discuss site plans for Panda Express, TownePlace Suites on Thursday

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Ruby-Tuesday-Panda-Express-July-15-2016 1

Oak Ridge officials will discuss site plans for two more new businesses on Thursday: a Panda Express restaurant and TownePlace Suites by Marriott, a hotel. The Panda Express would be on part of the property that was once home to a Ruby Tuesday restaurant, pictured above on Friday, July 15, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 9:20 a.m. July 17.

Oak Ridge officials will discuss site plans for two more new businesses on Thursday. The first is Panda Express, a restaurant, and the second is TownePlace Suites by Marriott, a hotel.

There have now been more than a dozen new businesses announced in Oak Ridge so far this year.

The Panda Express, a fast casual Chinese restaurant, would be at the site of the former Ruby Tuesday restaurant on South Illinois Avenue, in front of Walmart and next to Comfort Inn. The developer wants to take the property and divide it into two parcels, with the Panda Express on one lot and possibly two to three retail stores in one building on the other.

The four-story TownPlace Suites would be on 2.6 acres between East Main Street and Rutgers Avenue on the south side of Wilson Street. That property is on the northeast side of Main Street Oak Ridge, near JCPenney at the former Oak Ridge Mall. [Read more…]

Public invited to Main Street Oak Ridge groundbreaking on July 20

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MAIN STREET OAK RIDGE 2

A construction fence was put up this week around parts of the former Oak Ridge Mall, and an Oak Ridge Public Works Department crew worked to dig up a water line leading to the building ahead of demolition, preparing for construction of Main Street Oak Ridge, a 58-acre mixed-use development expected to include retailers, restaurants, residential units, and a hotel. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

 

The public has been invited to a July 20 groundbreaking at Main Street Oak Ridge, the project to redevelop the former Oak Ridge Mall.

The groundbreaking is scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 20.

“City leaders, planners, local business representatives, and members of the community will gather for a ceremonious kickoff to demolition,” a media advisory said.

RealtyLink, the Greenville, South Carolina, developer, bought the 58-acre site on June 30. Since then, construction crews have been preparing the property for demolition so they can begin a multi-million dollar renovation. [Read more…]

Dover Development wins national preservation award for Alexander Inn

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Alexander Guest House Front Entrance Sept. 23, 2015

The front entrance is pictured above at the Alexander Guest House, which converted the historic but long-vacant Alexander Inn hotel into a beautifully restored assisted living center. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Rick Dover and Dover Development of Knoxville have won a national preservation award for their work to convert the historic Alexander Inn, a dilapidated, vacant two-story hotel in Oak Ridge, into the Alexander Guest House, a beautifully restored assisted living center.

Knox Heritage, which played a key role in the project, announced the award on Friday. Also playing a key role was the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance.

Dover Development won the Chairman’s Award for Achievement in Historic Preservation from the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, or ACHP, a press release said. Members of the ACHP are appointed by the president of the United States.

It’s one of the highest awards given for historic preservation, the press release said. [Read more…]