Oak Ridge Today

Letter: Pleased to announce sale of Oak Ridge City Center to RealtyLink

Posted at
By 1 Comment

To the Editor:

We are pleased to announce the sale of Oak Ridge City Center to RealtyLink. This is the moment that everyone has been waiting for, and finally, the transition of the Oak Ridge City Center Mall will begin. RealtyLink is a great company and will be a fantastic partner with Oak Ridge throughout the process.

As sellers, we want to extend our greatest appreciation to the leadership of Oak Ridge and to the citizens of Oak Ridge for your patience and commitment to helping realize the highest potential of this important property.

This could not have happened without the vision and tireless efforts of Mayor Warren Gooch and the elected officials; Mark Watson, Kathryn Baldwin, and the city staff; Parker Hardy, Chamber of Commerce; and the behind-the-scenes efforts of Ray Evans. We have all been at this a long time, and without everyone’s support, this important day for Oak Ridge would not have been possible. [Read more…]

TWRA looking for watercraft riders in hit-and-run crash that injures four on Melton Hill Lake

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Personal Watercraft Operator Melton Hill Lake Crash June 30 2016

A photo of a personal watercraft and operator that witnesses described as striking a boat containing a family pulling a child on a tube on Melton Hill Lake on Thursday, June 30, 2016. (Photo courtesy TWRA)

 

Tennessee officials are investigating a hit-and-run boating crash on Thursday on Melton Hill Lake in the area of Clark Park and Knox County Park.

The crash was reported at about 7:45 p.m. Thursday. Among the agencies that responded were the Oak Ridge Fire Department, which went to Clark Center Park in south Oak Ridge.

According to witnesses, two personal watercrafts, or PWCs, were operating near the bluffs directly across from Knox County Park and going back and forth between the dock at the park and the bluffs where others were swimming, according to a press release from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Witnesses describe the operators as being reckless and inconsiderate, and as one of the PWCs left the bluff and headed toward the park, it collided with a boat in the area containing a family pulling a child on a tube. [Read more…]

Mall sale has closed, executives say

Posted at
By 5 Comments

JCPenney Oak Ridge June 30 2016

The JCPenney store at the former Oak Ridge Mall, which has more recently been known as Oak Ridge City Center, is pictured above. The sale of the roughly 58-acre site has closed, Steve Arnsdorff, chief manager of Oak Ridge City Center LLC, said Friday, July 1, 2016. RealtyLink of Greenville, South Carolina, plans to redevelop the site, which also includes a Belk store, as Main Street Oak Ridge, a mixed-use development that could include retailers, restaurants, residential units, and possibly a hotel. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 10:30 p.m.

The sale of the former Oak Ridge Mall has closed, executives said Friday morning.

The sale was confirmed by Steve Arnsdorff, chief manager of Oak Ridge City Center LLC, which had owned the property, and Neil Wilson, principal of RealtyLink, the new developer.

The new owner is TN Oak Ridge Rutgers LLC, a company set up by RealtyLink, which is based in Greenville, South Carolina. The purchase price was $6.3 million, and the sale closed late Thursday evening, Wilson said.

RealtyLink plans to redevelop the roughly 58-acre site, which includes a Belk and JCPenney, as a mixed-use development known as Main Street Oak Ridge. It could include retailers, restaurants, residential units, and possibly a hotel.

“We’re excited for what this project will do for Oak Ridge,” Arnsdorff said. “This community deserves this. We’re excited this is happening.”

“I think what I would like to point out is that it’s a great day for Oak Ridge and for the city to sort of embrace this new mall,” Wilson said. [Read more…]

New laws in effect on Friday: Wine sales, guns on campus, ‘slow poke’ law

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Information from WYSH Radio

Several new laws go into effect on Friday, July 1, in Tennessee.

The most highly-publicized of these new laws is one that will allow certain gas stations and grocery stores to obtain licenses to sell wine. More than 400 businesses have obtained the necessary licenses and will be able to start legally selling wine at 8 a.m. Friday, July 1.

Beginning Friday, faculty and staff and public colleges and universities in Tennessee will be able to carry concealed guns on campus. Those wishing to carry will have to register their weapons with campus police departments. [Read more…]

BBB-TV: Changes coming to Oliver Springs Town Hall

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Information from WYSH Radio

It looks like sweeping changes will be coming to the Oliver Springs city government. As our partners at BBB-TV have previously reported, City Manager Becky Campbell is stepping down, and her last day on the job will be today (June 30).

Earlier this week, Billing and Accounts Director Susan Tyler also announced that she will be retiring, effective today as well. Longtime Fire Chief Terry Phillips has also announced his retirement, which also goes into effect today. [Read more…]

Learn about secrecy, security, spies at Turnpike Gatehouse on July 8

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

The Oak Ridge Turnpike Gatehouse is pictured above on the west end of town. (Submitted photo)

The Oak Ridge Turnpike Gatehouse is pictured above on the west end of town. (Submitted photo)

 

Learn about secrecy, security, and spies in a program presented by the Manhattan Project National Historical Park in Oak Ridge on Friday, July 8. The program will start at 3 p.m. July 8 at the Oak Ridge Turnpike Gatehouse on the west end of town.

“The program will give visitors some insight to what life was like in Oak Ridge during the Manhattan Project, with all the security, the need for secrecy, and the worry of spies,” a press release said.

It’s free and open to the public. Parking is limited, so please try to carpool if possible. The gatehouse is also at a trail head for the North Boundary Greenway, and visitors can go for a self-guided hike after the program.

Visitors that are taking the U.S. Department of Energy public tour are encouraged to attend the program after the tour. [Read more…]

County mayor to host community meeting for Claxton road project

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

The Anderson County Mayor’s Office will host a community meeting on July 7 in Claxton, and the public is invited to attend and hear from state road officials about plans to improve Clinton Highway (US 25W) from Edgemoor Road to the Knox County line.

The community meeting will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on July 7 at the Claxton Community Center, 1150 Edgemoor Road. Officials from the Tennessee Department of Transportation will discuss the project in detail as well as gather input from the public. Representative John Ragan and Senator Randy McNally, as well as Claxton Commissioners Tracy Wandell and Chuck Fritts are scheduled to be in attendance.

The proposed project—intended to reduce fatal and injury motor vehicle crashes while improving safety and access along the corridor—will include resurfacing the existing roadway and reconfiguring lane markings to allow dedicated passing areas, a continuous center turn lane, and wider shoulders, a press release said. The project was initiated after a meeting in April 2016 between Anderson County, TDOT, and local and state law enforcement officials. [Read more…]

BBB-TV: Campbell stepping down as OS city manager

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Information from WYSH Radio

Our partners at BBB-TV have learned that Oliver Springs City Manager Becky Campbell will be stepping down at the end of the month.

Campbell has served as the Oliver Springs city manager since November 2014 after succeeding Tina Treece.

Campbell is wrapping up 18 years with the town. Much of her tenure was spent as an administrative assistant. [Read more…]

Clinton passes budget with no tax increase

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Information from WYSH Radio

On Monday, the Clinton City Council approved its budget on second and final reading, leaving the property tax rate at its current level of 94 cents per $100 of assessed value while providing 2 percent pay raises for city workers.

The new fiscal year begins on Friday, July 1.

Rogers Group patching parts of Illinois, Turnpike today through Thursday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Rogers Group Inc., a contractor for the City of Oak Ridge, is expected to start patching parts of two state highways today. The two state roads are Illinois Avenue and Oak Ridge Turnpike.

The work is expected to last most of the week and be complete by Thursday, June 30, unless interrupted by weather or unforeseen problems, a press release said.

“Motorists should be aware of short-term temporary lane closures while this work is being completed,” the press release said. “Please take extra caution near Methodist Medical Center at the intersection of Oak Ridge Turnpike and Tennyson Road. Thank you for your cooperation and patience while this work is being completed.”

Copyright 2016 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Manhattan Avenue road reconstruction complete 

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Roadway reconstruction on Manhattan Avenue is now complete and re-opened to through traffic.

“We would like to thank the residents affected by this project for their patience, in addition to the cooperation of all citizens and visitors during the road reconstruction,” a City of Oak Ridge press release said.

For more information about the city, visit www.oakridgetn.gov.

Learn what’s being done to address addiction, recovery at July 14 storytelling event

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Drug Addiction Recovery at Princess Theatre in July 14 2016

A community storytelling event on July 14 will share information on what’s being done to address addiction and recovery in East Tennessee. National Public Radio, which has been covering Roane County Recovery Court, will serve as the master of ceremonies, a press release said.

The storytelling event is titled “Roane is Better Together!” It’s scheduled from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 14, at the Princess Theatre in Harriman.

It’s sponsored by Russell Johnson, district attorney general of the Ninth Judicial District, and Roane County Public Defender Kim Nelson, a press release said.

The press release said the Roane County Recovery Court launched in January, and NPR has shared several video and audio clips with its listening audience. [Read more…]