City Hall, Library, Rec Center closing

The Oak Ridge Municipal Building will be closed starting Monday, and the Public Library and Recreation Center will close Saturday evening (tomorrow, March 21). Those were among the changes announced Friday by Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here is the latest update, which includes changes from an announcement earlier this week. The public health situation can change rapidly, so any of the following conditions could change.

MUNICIPAL BUILDING

• The Oak Ridge Municipal Building will be closed to the public until further notice starting Monday, March 23. This is for the safety of employees and the public, the city said.
• Departmental services continue, and the closure should help limit the potential exposure of those employees.
• If you need to reach a department, call the number listed below for each department or click here for a list of all departments.
• All board and commission meetings are canceled until further notice.

UTILITIES

• The lobby to the Utilities Business Office is closed until further notice.
• Customers should make payments online or make arrangements by calling (865) 425-3400.
• The closing is expected to continue for several weeks.

CENTRAL SERVICES COMPLEX

• For the safety of employees and the public, the Central Services Complex building is closed to the public until further notice.  
• Public Works and Electric Department services are still on-going, and this precaution should help limit exposure to these employees, the city said.
• If you need to reach Public Works, call (865) 425-1875, and for the Electric Department, call (865) 425-1803.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

• All citizen visits and tours to fire stations and headquarters have been suspended.
• Fire administration may be reached by phone at (865) 425-3520.

POLICE DEPARTMENT

• The main entrance to the Police Department is closed to the public. 
• To file police reports, residents should call the Police Department at (865) 425-3504.
• Crime tips can still be made online.

ANIMAL CONTROL

• The Oak Ridge Animal Shelter is temporarily closed to the public to ensure the safety and health of animals, employees, volunteers, and visitors.
• Animal Control will continue to respond to animal emergencies.
• Adoptions and owner reclaims must be scheduled by calling (865) 425-3423.

SENIOR CENTER

• The Senior Center closed on Monday, March 16, until further notice.
• As a result, the ETHRA Senior Nutrition Congregate Meal program (on-site meals) was also suspended.
• The ETHRA Senior Nutrition Program Home Delivered Meals (Meals On Wheels) will continue.
• The MyRide program is suspended until further notice.

RECREATION CENTER AND SCARBORO COMMUNITY CENTER

• The Recreation Center and Scarboro Community Center will close to the public on Saturday, March 21, at 6 p.m. until further notice.
• The Eggspo egg hunt, scheduled for Saturday, April 4 is canceled. It may be rescheduled at a later date.
• Other programs and activities may be subject to postponement or cancellation as the situation develops.
• Restrooms at the following parks will be closed until further notice:
  • The Baseball Complex
  • Big Turtle Park
  • Carl Yearwood Park
  • Melton Lake Park

CENTENNIAL GOLF COURSE

• Water coolers at the Centennial Golf Course will remain off the course for the foreseeable future.
• All restrooms on the golf course have been closed.
• Ball washers and putting green flags have been removed.

CITY COURT

• All City Court hearings for the month of March will be postponed
• The City Court Clerk’s office is open for payment by mail. Residents can send money orders or personal checks to: City of Oak Ridge – City Courts, P.O. Box 1, Oak Ridge, TN 37831.
• If a payment is past due, only money orders or a cashier’s check is accepted.
• If you have any questions about what is owed, call (865) 425-3536.

LIBRARY

• The library will close to the public at 6 p.m., Saturday, March 21, until further notice.
• Saturday will be the last day that library patrons will be able to pick up materials they have put on hold.
• All due dates have been extended for nine weeks.
• Library card privileges will not expire during this time so that all patrons can more easily access the online resources.
• The library staff is currently looking for ways they can continue to provide access to information and resources without endangering anyone’s health, the city said.
• Check the library’s website and Facebook page for updates as they create these services.
• The online collection of e-books, audio books, streaming video, and learning resources will remain available through the website and online catalog.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

• No in-person assistance. 
• Applications for building, planning, and zoning are encouraged, and will be accepted via phone or email.

For more information, contact the City Manager’s office at (865) 425-3550.