Blasting at the construction site for the Kroger Marketplace shopping center will begin next week, Oak Ridge officials announced Thursday.
“All blasting will happen at 2 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays,” a city press release said. “Depending on the location of the blast, there may be temporary road closures in the area.”
The release said a blast survey was performed. “No collateral damage has been predicted,” it said. “The explosions may be heard and felt. During the blasts, it is not necessary to contact emergency dispatch services, unless an emergency has occurred. The City of Oak Ridge Fire and Police will be present for the blasting.”
The planned shopping center is at the intersection of Illinois Avenue and Oak Ridge Turnpike. The blasting will begin the week of Aug. 12.
More information is available through the City’s website at www.oakridgetn.gov or by calling Cindi Gordon at (865) 425-3559.
Demolition work is under way, and construction could start this fall. The new Kroger Marketplace shopping center is expected to include a range of services from a fuel center and sushi shop to a drive-through pharmacy and Baby World.
Demolition at the shopping center—named the Westcott Center in honor of renowned photographer James Edward Westcott—began Monday, July 29, said Glynn Jenkins, director of communications and public relations for the The Kroger Co.’s Atlanta Division. Home demolition work is expected to be completed by Aug. 23.
The demolition of the former Super 8 motel, Vista Inn, and Cancun’s restaurant on Oak Ridge Turnpike and North Illinois Avenue is expected to start next week.
There could be a groundbreaking ceremony this month, and building construction is scheduled to start in early October, Jenkins said.
A grand opening is tentatively scheduled for July of 2014, and the Westcott Center is scheduled to open in August 2014.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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