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City Council to consider Friendship Bell grant app, Woodland rezonings

Posted at 11:49 am September 8, 2014
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Friendship Bell Housing Demolition

Workers began demolishing the International Friendship Bell structure during the last week of July. (Photo by Bill Moore Jr.)

 

The Oak Ridge City Council will consider applying for a $100,000 grant application to help rebuild the Friendship Bell House in Alvin K. Bissell Park, and members will also consider a preliminary plan and re-zonings that would allow a retail development on 2.29 acres along South Illinois Avenue between Aldi grocery and Weigel’s gas station and convenience store.

If Council approves, the city would apply for a Friendship Bell grant from the Japan World Exposition 1970 Commemorative Fund, which supports projects that “contribute to international cultural exchange and international goodwill.” The city is requesting $100,000 to match $50,000 from the Oak Ridge Capital Projects Fund and $50,000 from private and community contributions and donations. The grant application outlines a 50/50 match requirement if the request is approved.

A February inspection determined that the 65-70 percent of the wooden support beams in the bell house were compromised and showed substantial deterioration, Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department Director Josh Collins said in a memo to City Manager Mark S. Watson. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Government, Government, Oak Ridge, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: Alvin K. Bissell Park, Capital Projects Fund, Friendship Bell, grant, Japan World Exposition 1970 Commemorative Fund, Josh Collins, Mark S. Watson, Oak Ridge City Council, Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Board, Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department, re-zoning, retail development, Rudd Seeley and Wallis, South Illinois Avenue

Beer Board has show cause hearings for Lincoln’s, Moose Lodge

Posted at 10:09 am August 26, 2014
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Lincoln's Sports Grille

Lincoln’s Sports Grille on South Illinois Avenue is pictured above. (File photo)

A city board on Thursday could consider revoking or suspending beer permits, or levying fines, on a restaurant and local organization that have previously had their permits suspended and sold beer or alcohol to a minor during a state sting in June, officials said.

The two businesses, Lincoln’s Sports Grille and Oak Ridge Moose Lodge #1316, are among five that sold beer or alcohol to a minor during a compliance check by the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission in June, officials said. The Oak Ridge Beer Permit Board plans to have show cause hearings for all five.

Thursday’s special meeting will be the fifth show cause hearing for Lincoln’s and the second for Moose Lodge, according to the Beer Board agenda.

Lincoln’s sold beer, a 16-ounce Bud Light, to a 19-year-old on June 9 after checking the person’s identification, according to the TABC records. It’s the second violation at Lincoln’s for sale to a minor by the TABC, the Beer Board agenda said, and the case is still pending.

Meanwhile, the Moose Lodge sold alcohol, a mixed drink vodka cranberry, to a 19-year-old on June 26 after checking ID, the state records said. It’s also the second violation at Moose Lodge for sale to a minor by the TABC, the Beer Board agenda said. Moose Lodge paid a $2,000 civil penalty for the violation and agreed to a 15-day suspension of their liquor-by-the-drink license. That suspension was in effect from July 13-27.

The Beer Board can revoke or suspend a beer permit during a show cause hearing. The board can also accept a civil penalty in lieu of a suspension. The maximum civil penalty is $2,500 per violation for selling beer to a minor, and $1,000 for all other offenses. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Business, Community, Government, Government, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: alcohol, beer, beer board, beer permit, beer permit suspension, civil penalty, compliance check, Derrick Dalton, fight, Lincoln's Sports Grille, Lincoln’s, liquor by the drink, Moose Lodge, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Beer Permit Board, Oak Ridge Moose Lodge #1316, public intoxication, sale to a minor, show cause hearing, TABC, Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission

Mayor Beehan won’t seek re-election to City Council

Posted at 1:44 pm August 20, 2014
By John Huotari 3 Comments

Tom Beehan and Gary Wade

Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan, left, is pictured above earlier this month with Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Gary Wade at Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab and Kitchen. Beehan will not seek re-election to Oak Ridge City Council in November.

 

Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan, who has served on the City Council since 2001, will not seek re-election in November.

Beehan said he has been considering whether to run “for some time,” and he announced his decision to not seek re-election on Wednesday. Before making the decision, Beehan said, he wanted to be sure that quality candidates with a vision for the city’s future were ready to run.

“It’s clear that there are candidates who have the vision and ability to serve the community on City Council,” Beehan said in a press release. “I have enjoyed serving Oak Ridge as mayor and as a City Council member, but I think it is time for new leadership to take a fresh look at moving Oak Ridge forward.”

Beehan said he has spent 20 years as an elected official in local government in Oak Ridge and in Covington, Kentucky—before his family moved to Oak Ridge.

“I consider this a retirement from public service as an elected official, but I plan to continue to be engaged in community activities,” Beehan said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2014 Election, Government, Government, Oak Ridge, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: Anne Garcia Garland, Betsy Coleman Realty, City Council, David Mosby, economic development, elected official, entrepreneurs, housing, Jane Miller, leadership, Mark Watson, mayor, mayor pro tem, municipal election, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge City Council, public service, re-election, Ridge City Ramblers, safe neighborhoods, schools, small business, Tennessee Municipal League, Tom Beehan

City Council hosts Aug. 25 public meeting on Clark Center Park

Posted at 12:22 pm August 18, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff 3 Comments

Clark Center Park Picnic Area

One of two large picnic areas at Clark Center Park. The park also includes a small playground, two ball fields, boat ramp, fishing trails, and beach.

 

The Oak Ridge City Council will have a public meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, August 25, to collect community input regarding the possible transfer of Clark Center Park from the U.S. Department of Energy to the city. The meeting will be held in the Municipal Building Courtroom, and it will be in lieu of the regularly scheduled monthly work session.

The DOE’s Oak Ridge Office is in the process of reviewing the agency’s land holdings across the Oak Ridge Reservation. The reservation is located within the city limits of Oak Ridge, and it includes Clark Center Park.

Clark Center Park (formerly known as Carbide Park) is an 80-acre parcel under consideration by DOE for possible transfer from federal ownership. The park area includes a swimming area along Melton Hill Lake, and incorporates two picnic areas, a playground, restrooms, a boat ramp, two ball fields, and also provides access to the Gallaher Bend Greenway. DOE spends about $300,000 per year to maintain the park.

In an August 4 letter to the city, DOE Oak Ridge Office Manager Larry Kelly said, “Given the park’s benefit to the citizens of Oak Ridge, the option we currently favor would be to transfer ownership to the city at no cost, provided that the property remains a recreational park asset for the public.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Government, Government, Oak Ridge, Recreation, Slider, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: Carbide Park, City of Oak Ridge, Clark Center Park, DOE, Gallaher Bend Greenway, Larry Kelly, Mark Watson, Melton hill lake, Oak Ridge City Council, Oak Ridge Office, Oak Ridge Reservation, public meeting, U.S. Department of Energy

Council considers Clark Center Park, ORHS stoplight, Woodland development

Posted at 9:13 am August 11, 2014
By John Huotari 2 Comments

Clark Center Park Water View

A view of Melton Hill Lake near a boat ramp and between two picnic areas at Clark Center Park in south Oak Ridge.

The Oak Ridge City Council on Monday night will consider the start of negotiations over the future of Clark Center Park, a new stoplight on Oak Ridge Turnpike in front of the high school, and changes, including rezonings, that could allow a small commercial development near Aldi grocery on South Illinois Avenue.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. Monday, August 11, in the Oak Ridge Municipal Building Courtroom. See the agenda here.

A resolution to be considered tonight would allow Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson to discuss the future of Clark Center Park with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office. DOE-ORO  has said it wants to transfer the park to the city at no cost as long as it remains a recreational park asset for the public.

The Oak Ridge Office now spends about $300,000 per year to maintain the park. One of the questions for city officials is whether Oak Ridge can afford to take over the 80-acre park, which is in south Oak Ridge on Melton Hill Lake. Also known as Carbide Park, it includes two ball fields, two large picnic areas, a small playground, a boat ramp, restrooms, fishing trails, and a beach. It also includes access to the Gallaher Bend Greenway. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Business, Government, Government, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: Aldi, Carbide Park, Clark Center Park, commercial development, DOE, DOE-ORO, Mark Watson, Melton hill lake, Oak Ridge City Council, Oak Ridge High School, Oak Ridge Office, Oak Ridge Reservation, Oak Ridge Turnpike, rezoning, South Illinois Avenue, Steve Byrd, stoplight, Traffic Safety Advisory Board, traffic signal, TSAB, U.S. Department of Energy

Council starts discussions on taking over Clark Center Park

Posted at 8:41 pm July 30, 2014
By John Huotari 12 Comments

Clark Center Park Water View

A view of Melton Hill Lake near a boat ramp and between two picnic areas at Clark Center Park in south Oak Ridge.

 

It’s an 80-acre “crown jewel” park, the site of cherished memories dating back decades. But now the future of Clark Center Park is in doubt.

The U.S. Department of Energy is considering turning the park over to the federal General Services Administration, which could sell it, Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson told City Council members Monday. He said it’s part of a cost-cutting effort in DOE’s Oak Ridge Office.

Watson suggested DOE was moving quickly and could shut down the park as early as this fall. But before that happens, Watson said, he wanted to give residents and officials a chance to weigh in.

“This is an important community decision,” Watson said during a Monday night work session. “Once it’s gone, it’s gone.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Government, Government, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Office, Slider, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: Anne Garcia Garland, Carbide Park, Charlie Hensley, Clark Center Park, DOE, Gallaher Bend Greenway, General Services Administration, Mark Watson, Melton hill lake, Oak Ridge City Council, Oak Ridge Office, U.S. Department of Energy

ORCVB has special meeting Monday to discuss director search

Posted at 12:27 pm July 23, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau

The Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Welcome Center at the Midtown Community Center on Robertsville Road is pictured above.

The Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau’s board of directors will have a special meeting on Monday, July 28, to discuss their plan to fill the vacant director’s position at the ORCVB.

The meeting will be held at the Doubletree Hotel starting at noon Monday.

The former director, Katy Brown, has accepted a new marketing and promotions job in East Tennessee, and her last day as president of the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau was July 11.

Filed Under: Government, Government, Oak Ridge, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: director, Katy Brown, Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau, ORCVB

Four Applewood Apartment buildings still ‘unfit,’ not vacated, attorney says

Posted at 1:26 pm July 13, 2014
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Applewood Apartments at 105 Hunter Circle

A city board declared four buildings on Hunter Circle to be unfit for human occupation or use in November 2010 and, after a Tennessee Court of Appeals opinion, reaffirmed the decision in March 2013. The case has been appealed back to the appellate court.

KNOXVILLE—More than three years after they were declared “unfit,” four dilapidated Applewood Apartment buildings have still not been vacated, an attorney said Thursday.

The Anderson County Chancery Court and the Tennessee Court of Appeals have both affirmed a November 2010 decision by an Oak Ridge board declaring the dilapidated buildings on Hunter Circle to be unfit for human occupation and use—and calling for them to be vacated immediately, attorney Dan Pilkington said.

The 2010 decision was reaffirmed by the city board, the Oak Ridge Board of Building and Housing Code Appeals, in March 2013, Pilkington said.

“We believe that this order is final,” he said in a 15-minute oral argument before a three-judge panel of the Tennessee Court of Appeals in Knoxville on Thursday. “Despite that, the buildings have never been vacated.”

The 2010 Oak Ridge board hearing was held after notices were issued citing multiple deficiencies that were hazardous to tenants, said Pilkington, who works for Knoxville law firm Watson, Roach, Batson, Rowell, and Lauderback. That company represented the City of Oak Ridge in Thursday’s oral argument before a three-judge panel that included John W. McClarty, D. Michael Swiney, and D. Kelly Thomas Jr. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Government, Government, Oak Ridge, Slider, State, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County Chancery Court, Applewood Apartments, codes enforcement, Corum Engineering, D. Kelly Thomas Jr., D. Michael Swiney, Dan Pilkington, Hillside Road, Hunter Circle, Jim Odle, Joe Levitt, John W. McClarty, Ken Krushenski, Oak Ridge Board of Building and Housing Code Appeals, oral arguments, Tennessee Court of Appeals, Watson Roach Batson Rowell and Lauderback

Brown leaving ORCVB for marketing, promotions job in East Tennessee

Posted at 7:11 pm July 9, 2014
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau

The Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Welcome Center at the Midtown Community Center on Robertsville Road is pictured above.

Katy Brown has accepted a new marketing and promotions job in East Tennessee, and her last day as president of the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau will be Friday.

Brown started as a sales manager at the ORCVB in 2001, and she has been president since 2006, or about eight years.

Brown will now be a marketing and promotions specialist covering Knoxville and Chattanooga. She declined to identify her new employer, but she said it is an established company.

Brown might be most well-known for her work on the annual Secret City Festival, including her promotion of the two-day celebration. But she has also been involved in a range of other efforts to help promote and market the city, ranging from hosting travel writers from across the country to working a booth at the Oak Ridge Marina during rowing races. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Government, Government, Oak Ridge, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: Joe Valentino, Katy Brown, Mark Watson, marketing, Oak Ridge City Council, Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau, ORCVB, promotions, Secret City Festival

City buys, demolishes blighted home in Woodland

Posted at 10:36 am July 3, 2014
By John Huotari 5 Comments

South Purdue Avenue Home Demolition

A work crew demolishes a blighted home on South Purdue Avenue in Woodland on Thursday. (Photos courtesy City of Oak Ridge/Matt Widner)

 

The city of Oak Ridge bought a blighted home at the corner of Northwestern and South Purdue avenues in April and demolished it on Thursday, June 26.

“It was in really bad shape,” Oak Ridge Community Development Director Kathryn Baldwin said. “This one was past saving.”

The home, which had been vacant, was extremely contaminated and dirty inside, and there were problems with every system in the small, single-story house, including the electrical and heating and cooling systems, said Matt Widner, Oak Ridge Community Development housing specialist. The ceilings were collapsing.

“It was a mess,” Widner said.

The straw-covered quarter-acre lot is now vacant. Before the demolition, a yard sign said the project was “Turning Blight into Right.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Government, Government, Oak Ridge, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: blighted home, CDBG, Community Development Block Grant, EDi, Highland View, Highland View Redevelopment Area, homes, Kathryn Baldwin, Matt Widner, Northwestern Avenue, Oak Ridge City Council, Oak Ridge Community Development, South Purdue Avenue

Railroad tracks removed from South Illinois, Emory Valley

Posted at 5:49 pm June 30, 2014
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

South Illinois Avenue Railroad Track Removal

A work crew from Rogers Group removes unused railroad tracks from South Illinois Avenue just south of Lafayette Drive and Scarboro Road on Saturday night. After the tracks were removed, the railroad crossing was repaved, and the road reopened on Sunday.

 

Note: This story was last updated at 6:30 p.m.

Unused railroad tracks that crossed Briarcliff Avenue, Emory Valley Road, and South Illinois Avenue were removed on Thursday and Saturday night.

Railroad company CSX split the traffic control costs with the city and paid to remove the tracks, Oak Ridge Public Works Director Gary Cinder said. In exchange, the city agreed to repave the roadways as part of street maintenance. The crossing lights were removed as well so that commercial vehicles, including school buses, no longer have to stop at the abandoned crossings and, in the case of school buses and other vehicles that carry children, open and close their doors before proceeding.

The project has been in the works for two years.

“We’re thrilled to finally get to this stage,” Cinder said last week. “It’s been a long time coming.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Government, Government, Oak Ridge, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: abandoned crossings, bicyclists, bike and pedestrian plan, Briarcliff Avenue, crossing lights, CSX, DOE, Emory Valley Road, Gary Cinder, highway transportation board, Kathryn Baldwin, Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization, Melton Lake Drive, National Nuclear Security Administration, NNSA, Oak Ridge Community Development, Oak Ridge Public Works Department, pedestrians, railroad crossings, railroad tracks, Rails-to-Trails, Rogers Group, Rogers Group Inc., runners, South Illinois Avenue, street maintenance, U.S. Department of Energy, walking trail, Y-12, Y-12 National Security Complex historian Ray Smith

South Illinois to be closed Saturday night as railroad tracks removed

Posted at 7:48 pm June 25, 2014
By John Huotari 5 Comments

South Illinois Avenue Railroad Crossing

A section of South Illinois Avenue will be closed Saturday night as a city contractor removes the abandoned railroad tracks that cross the busy roadway just south of the intersection with Lafayette Drive and Scarboro Road.

 

A section of South Illinois Avenue will be closed Saturday night as a city contractor removes the abandoned railroad tracks that cross the busy roadway just south of the intersection with Lafayette Drive and Scarboro Road.

The work by Rogers Group Inc. should be complete by Sunday, a city press release said.

Workers will start installing traffic control devices to close the road and divert traffic to the detour at about 6 p.m. Saturday. The road, also known as State Route 62, or SR62, will be closed at roughly 8 p.m., the press release said.

“To minimize the inconvenience to the public, this work will take place overnight,” it said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Government, Government, Oak Ridge, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: detours, Lafayette Drive, Oak Ridge Public Works Department, railroad tracks, Rogers Group Inc., Scarboro Road, South Illinois Avenue, SR62, State Route 62, traffic, Union Valley Road

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