Barry James, Crosland Southeast senior vice president, standing, explains part of the Main Street Oak Ridge site plan to the Municipal Planning Commission on Thursday, August 6, 2015. Seated from left are planning commissioners Terry Domm, Jane Shelton, Claudia Lever, and Charlie Hensley. At left in the background is Steve Arnsdorff, chief manager of Oak Ridge City Center LLC, the current owner of the property, the former Oak Ridge Mall. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
Note: This story was last updated at 9:10 p.m.
The demolition permit has been applied for and the site plan approved, two crucial steps in the proposal to redevelop the former Oak Ridge Mall as Main Street Oak Ridge, a 60-acre site that could include retailers, restaurants, residential units, and a hotel.
Developers applied for the demolition permit last week, Oak Ridge Community Development Director Kathryn Baldwin said Thursday. It will now be reviewed by the city staff. The demolition could include the existing space between the two remaining anchors, Belk and JCPenney, although those two stores would remain.
The site plan is for the construction of the first phase “building footprints” and the infrastructure to serve them, Baldwin said. Construction drawings for the buildings themselves will come later.
The site plan for the core retail area was approved unanimously by the 10-member Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission on Thursday evening. It incorporated comments by the city staff. It does not require approval by the Oak Ridge City Council.
The next step is for Crosland Southeast, the North Carolina firm that has proposed the $80 million redevelopment, to submit a revised site plan that “meets the staff comments,” Baldwin said.
“This step was necessary for closing,” Baldwin said.
She said the staff’s civil engineering comments have been addressed, and work on the electric comments is ongoing.
The other steps unanimously approved by planning commissioners on Thursday were a preliminary plat that details construction plans for East and West Main Street and Wilson Street, which are private roads but could become public streets, and approval of tiered signage at Main Street Oak Ridge that would include perimeter signs, directional signs, and individual store signs.
“I’m very optimistic that it’s actually going to take place now,” said Terry Domm, Planning Commission chair.
Phase two of the project could include the multi-family units, five outparcels, and the hotel.
The primary work under way now at the former mall, which is officially called the Oak Ridge City Center, is asbestos abatement.
Domm said he’s visited other Crosland Southeast developments, and they’re very nice. It’s clear that the company has put a lot of time, money, and engineering work into the Oak Ridge project, Domm said.
“I’m encouraged,” he said.
Crosland Southeast plans to open Main Street Oak Ridge to retailers by Thanksgiving 2016.
Steve Arnsdorff, chief manager of Oak Ridge City Center LLC, which owns the property now, said he is also optimistic about the redevelopment.
“These guys are very thorough,” Arnsdorff said of Crosland Southeast. “They’re very good at what they do…I hope they’re able to do what we weren’t able to do—redevelop the mall.”
The main challenge now is getting everything “bow tied,” he said.
Baldwin said the review of the demolition permit could include discussion of disconnecting utilities without affecting existing utilities such as electricity at businesses like Belk, JCPenney, and Tinseltown Theater, or the fire protection system in the existing buildings. Some utility lines could be rerouted, she said.
Other steps recently announced on the eagerly anticipated mall redevelopment include pre-demolition activities and bid reviews, and roughly $500,000 worth of pledges from six local employers to help cover public infrastructure costs.
In March, developers announced they had signed their first anchor store lease. In May, they announced that Atlanta-based MDC development group, through its affiliated company Canterfield Hotel Group LLC, will build a new 120-room hotel at the site.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
Oak Ridge City Engineer Roger Flynn, standing, explains part of the site plan for Main Street Oak Ridge, the proposed redevelopment of the former Oak Ridge Mall, to the Municipal Planning Commission during a work session on Thursday, August 6, 2015. At right is Community Development Director Kathryn Baldwin. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
The Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission and Community Development Director Kathryn Baldwin, second from right, discuss the site plan for Main Street Oak Ridge, the proposed redevelopment of the former Oak Ridge Mall, during a work session on Thursday, August 6, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
Oak Ridge City Center, the former Oak Ridge Mall, is pictured above. The L-shaped mall is pictured at center. The white building at center left is Walmart, and the white building at top center is Tinseltown Theater. The curved road in the foreground is Rutgers Avenue, and the road at right is Oak Ridge Turnpike. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
Pre-demolition work at the Oak Ridge City Center, the former Oak Ridge Mall, was scheduled to start in July, and an asbestos waste container was on the 60-acre site on Monday, July 13, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
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Mike Mahathy says
Great News! Thanks for sharing John.
johnhuotari says
You’re welcome, Mike.
Charlie Jernigan says
It’s Happening!!
Jeanne Hicks Powers says
So the deal isn’t “closed” yet actually? When is the dotted line to be signed by Crossland? I realize that there is a step by step process and this meeting was just one of them. We are close, but not a ‘done deal” if I am understanding this article correctly. This news boils down to “1 step closer” to me. That’s great, but we have a way to go, don’t we?
johnhuotari says
Hi, Jeanne.
A closing date has not been announced yet. It’s my understanding that that is still in the works.
I think there has been some positive progress, but I believe it’s correct to say that this is not a “done deal” yet.
Oak Ridge Community Development Director Kathryn Baldwin said steps that included the Thursday night meeting are steps leading up to closing.
I don’t have specific information on what all remains to be done before closing. One possible step outlined last night: Developers are expected to submit a revised site plan that addresses staff comments.
Those involved with the project have told me that this is a very complicated project, with thousands of items on the checklist.
I hope that helps.
Thank you,
John
Jeanne Hicks Powers says
Thanks, John. This is like being a kid waiting for Christmas morning! It’ll be a great day to see the heavy equipment there making way for the new!
johnhuotari says
You’re welcome, Jeanne. I know a lot of people are looking forward to seeing this happen.