The Oak Ridge City Council agreed last week to use $180,000 in traffic camera money for improvements to the lower parking at Blankenship Field.
The Oak Ridge City Council agreed last week in a 5-2 vote to use $180,000 in traffic camera money for improvements to the lower parking lot at Blankenship Field, which is used for football games and high school graduation.
The request from Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan was reviewed at a City Council work session on April 28.
The work could include resurfacing work at the lower parking lot and access to the lower levels and visitors bleachers under the American with Disabilities Act. The project has been reviewed by the city staff, and it could include resurfacing, ADA improvements, handicapped parking, and new pavement and striping.
The work would complement a project to replace the demolished visitors bleachers at Blankenship Field, a $455,000 project that was unanimously approved by the Oak Ridge Board of Education in March. The bleachers had been deemed unsafe, and school officials are hoping to replace them before the first home football game on Aug. 29. The school board agreed to use the school system’s fund balance to pay for the replacement bleachers.
The work is also expected to complement work planned by members of a Blankenship Revitalization Committee and a separate Jackson Square revitalization project that could start this summer and use a roughly $800,000 state grant.
City officials said $813,970 would be left in the traffic camera fund after the Blankenship Field parking lot improvements. City Council did not renew the five-year camera contract with Redflex Traffic Systems in March, and it expired April 21, meaning the cameras are no longer issuing citations.
Motions to lower the amount of traffic camera money used for the Blankenship Field improvements failed during the City Council meeting last week. Voting for the main motion to use the $180,000 in traffic camera money for the Blankenship Field improvements were Beehan, Mayor Pro Tem Jane Miller, and City Council members Charlie Hensley, Chuck Hope, and David Mosby. Voting against it were Council members Trina Baughn and Anne Garcia Garland.
Philip W Nipper says
I for one was truly disappointed and mystified with the council’s lack of courage and mature and reasonable leadership when they voted not to renew the red light camera contract. Even more so with the “no” votes cast by Mr. Hope and Mr. Mosby. Although not unanimous, with this vote to expend some of the red light monies towards Blankenship improvements, it appears that a degree of good and common sense has resurfaced in the council chambers. I applaud the Mayor for his request of the funds for this project as well as those who voted in favor of the motion. Our Wildcat’s and the fans deserve an up to date and safe facility. Hopefully, these funds will help to bring that about. Go Cats!
Curt Kelsey says
Most non government people thank the council for removing unsafe “Revenue” cameras. Learn to budget not extort. Thankyou VERY MUCH !
Mark Caldwell says
Tax the rude, dangerous drivers. They cause an increase in society’s healthcare costs when they maim and kill other drivers and pedestrians.
Just like the cigarette smokers, tax them.
Joseph Lee says
Mr. Nipper,
Well said.
Thank You.
Cindy McCullough says
I somehow thought the traffic camera money was to go to pedestrian safety style improvements. This isn’t remotely such a thing. Was I mistaken in my understanding?
Andrew Howe says
No, you weren’t. Initially the money was ear-marked for safety upgrades, specifically those benefiting pedestrians, but it was a choice the city made, it wasn’t part of some grant stipulations where breaking the ‘rule’ would be a violation of law or contract. They simply decided to spent some of it this way at this time. A bit of a broken promise, but it’s a small percentage of the overall funds gained from the cameras.
My question is why we need to upgrade the lot itself. I can understand creating new access ramps if they are needed or are of great benefit to the new bleachers, etc, but I’ve gotten the impression the entire parking area will be resurfaced. It’ll look nicer, for sure, once it matches the new asphalt on the Jackson Sq ancillary lot, but redoing the entire lot might be using the funds for ‘cosmetics’, which isn’t as ideal.
Still, bit by bit Jackson Sq it getting a really quality face-lift, which is already making things look much nicer there and hopefully creating a more vibrant and active shopping district.
Joseph Lee says
Clearly.
WK Hyatt says
The parking lot does belong to the city and I applaud Council for this vote. Part of the work will be to take care of handicapped access for the visitors side bleachers which is required by law, the rest will add parking places to the lot which will not only help during football season, but with places for workers and customers of Jackson Square businesses as well…..yes it’s a good thing and good use of the camera money
Mark Caldwell says
There is a culture of terror that has developed on the roads in Oak Ridge. The number of inconsiderate, deficient, and possibly dangerous drivers has increased over the years. Maybe we should tax those dangerous drivers and use the money to augment our revenue stream.
Who knows, if the roads are safer in Oak Ridge, maybe more businesses will locate here.