Land Bank perspective on Oak Ridge housing to be discussed Tuesday

“Housing in Oak Ridge is a topic of great interest for a large and diverse group of people as well as government and business entities,” said Charlie Jernigan. “To really understand what is happening with housing, it is important to know its status now, the important entities involved, and the game plans going forward.”

Jernigan will be the guest speaker at Lunch with the League on Tuesday, May 2, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

“Now is an exciting time for Oak Ridge, with growth and positive change in many different arenas,” Jernigan said. “Housing is one of those areas presenting significant challenges, as well as opportunities for significant improvement. The city has reached a hinge point regarding housing: we have several options for our way forward, and one of these paths will take us where we need to be. Instead of choosing the current route of stagnation and further decay, we can decide to move in the direction of renewal and growth, and blaze a trail of improved housing throughout the city.”

Jernigan arrived in Oak Ridge with the new millennium and worked remotely for the Board of the United Methodist Church and was responsible for retirement plans and health benefits, outside Chicago, until his recent retirement. He has also engaged in various community activities with leadership roles in Oak Ridge Rotary clubs, the University of Tennessee Arboretum Society, the Board of the Oak Ridge Housing Authority, and as the chair of the Board of the Oak Ridge Land Bank since its founding in 2014.

“This is a story of hope, told from the perspective of the Oak Ridge Land Bank, which was founded in 2014 to help resist blight and to maintain property values and stable neighborhoods,” Jernigan said. “We have begun to make a difference, and work in partnership with other area organizations. The city is awakening and others are joining us in this battle. Now we are better able to step out of our defensive posture and aggressively engage to combat these persistent and long-standing problems.”

Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge, Lunch with the League is open to the public. There is no cost to attend and reservations are not needed. Box lunches will be available starting at 11:30 a.m. on a first-come basis for $8, or you may bring your own. Coffee and tea are provided.

This press release was submitted by Maureen Hoyt.