The Oak Ridge Land Bank will host a gathering on Friday, August 6, at 5 p.m. on Wilson Street near Rice Road. At 5:30 p.m., there will be a news conference regarding the land bank’s Request For Proposals to develop Downtown Oak Ridge, a press release said.
The Land Bank, representing the community interest with respect to the development of a downtown district, is releasing a RFP for the purchase and development of property in accordance with the adopted “vision” for this district, the press release said.
Over the decades, multiple plans have called for creating a place where Oak Ridgers can live, work, and play, the press release said. The Wilson Street corridor borders Main Street shopping near the new American Museum of Science and Energy and planned conference center, and it is easily accessible from Oak Ridge Turnpike and Alvin K. Bissell Park, the press release said. It provides a “great opportunity to finally have a distinctive, uniquely Oak Ridge place for people to gather,” the release said. “The existence of a more urban, densely-developed environment, featuring apartments, condos, restaurants, local shops, offices, and beautiful green space, will attract new and different businesses to Oak Ridge.”
The Oak Ridge Land Bank is offering approximately 6.5 acres of prime, vacant property at the eastern end of the development corridor. This highly-visible and accessible location has direct access to the Oak Ridge Turnpike, Rutgers Avenue, Wilson Street, and Main Street East. A full array of utilities, sufficient to support anticipated uses, is available throughout the properties, the press release said.
The RFP will be published on the City’s website here on August 6: http://www.oakridgetn.gov/departmentpg/Finance/content.aspx?article=1964.
Before and after the news conference will be an outdoor social called Toast The Town, where residents can enjoy a local craft beer, provide feedback on what they want to see in Downtown Oak Ridge, ask questions – and “toast” the future Downtown Oak Ridge, the press release said.
For more information, visit OakRidgeTN.gov. To contact the Community Development Department call (865) 425-3531 or email landbank@oakridgetn.gov.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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