Oak Ridge Today

Rezoning map shows possible grocery, retail stores south of AMSE

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A rezoning map for an Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission meeting on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017, shows that a grocery or large retail store could be built on the 7.4 acres south of American Museum of Science and Energy. The map also shows three smaller retailers or restaurants are possible. AMSE is to the north of the proposed grocery or large retail building.

A rezoning map for an Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission meeting on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017, shows that a grocery or large retail store could be built on the 7.4 acres south of American Museum of Science and Energy. The map also shows three smaller retailers or restaurants are possible. AMSE is to the north of the proposed grocery or large retail building.

 

A rezoning map shows a grocery or large retail store could be built on the property south of American Museum of Science and Energy.

The rezoning map shows the grocery or retailer could be 55,000 square feet, set back from South Illinois Avenue and next to Badger Avenue. But no prospective tenant has been publicly announced yet.

Also shown on the rezoning map, which was filed for an Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission meeting in October, are three smaller possible retail or restaurant buildings of about 4,000 to 7,000 square feet.

The rezoning was requested by TN Oak Ridge Illinois LLC for the 7.4 acres south of AMSE along South Illinois Avenue between South Tulane Avenue and Badger Avenue. That property was once part of the AMSE property and owned by the U.S. Department of Energy, but it has since been transferred to the City of Oak Ridge and then to TN Oak Ridge Illinois LLC.

The rezoning was approved, with a few contingencies, by the Planning Commission on October 19, and it’s been referred to the Oak Ridge City Council, presumably for the Monday, November 13 meeting. [Read more…]

Centrus, ORNL contract continues uranium enrichment technology work in Oak Ridge

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American Centrifuge Technology Manufacturing Center

The American Centrifuge Technology Manufacturing Center in south Oak Ridge is pictured above. (Photo courtesy USEC/Centrus Energy Corp.)

 

A $16 million contract signed by Centrus Energy Corporation and and UT-Battelle LLC will continue work on gas centrifuge uranium enrichment technology at Centrus facilities in Oak Ridge, the company announced Monday.

The work is on the AC100, a U.S. gas centrifuge uranium enrichment technology.

UT-Battelle LLC operates Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy.

Enriched uranium can be used in nuclear power plants and in nuclear weapons, as fuel for nuclear naval vessels, and to ensure a tritium supply, which is needed to maintain the effectiveness of America’s nuclear deterrent, officials have said previously.

The new Centrus-ORNL contract is valued at $16 million, with payments made when certain defined milestones are completed, Centrus said in a press release on Monday. The contract runs through September 30, 2018.

“Under the contract, Centrus’ scientists, engineers, and operators will test improvements developed by the company for the AC100 centrifuge machine in specialized facilities in Oak Ridge,” the press release said. “Centrus has worked under contract with ORNL since 2014 to improve the AC100 gas centrifuge technology to support national security and energy security needs.” [Read more…]

Once like a small city, Happy Valley has been sold

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An early aerial photo of Happy Valley, a construction camp that was like a small city and used to help build the former K-25 in west Oak Ridge. This picture was taken May, 22, 1944, by Ed Westcott, the official government photographer in Oak Ridge during World War II. (Photo courtesy Ed Westcott/Emily Hunnicutt)

An early aerial photo of Happy Valley, a construction camp that was like a small city and used to help build the former K-25 site in west Oak Ridge. This picture was taken May, 22, 1944, by Ed Westcott, the official government photographer in Oak Ridge during World War II. (Photo courtesy Ed Westcott/Emily Hunnicutt)

 

It was once home to a large construction camp that was like a small city and housed workers building K-25 during World War II.

Now the 160-acre parcel known as Happy Valley has been sold.

Happy Valley was in west Oak Ridge, across State Route 58 from the K-25 site. One of three major sites in Oak Ridge, K-25 was built to enrich uranium for atomic weapons as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project during World War II.

Today, Happy Valley appears to be mostly a rolling tree-covered landscape between Oak Ridge and Kingston along SR 58. To the public, there is little or no obvious evidence of what was once there—homes, a grocery store, schools, a post office, recreation halls, a gas station, and a bowling alley.

But those who have walked the property have seen evidence of the small city that was once there. [Read more…]

Updated: X-energy, Centrus Energy to develop fuel for advanced nuclear reactors

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Larry Cutlip, left, Centrus Energy vice president of field operations, and Pete Pappano, X Energy vice president of fuel production, announce a collaboration on fuel for advanced nuclear reactors at the Nuclear Suppliers Workshop at Pollard Technology Conference Center on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Larry Cutlip, left, Centrus Energy vice president of field operations, and Pete Pappano, X Energy vice president of fuel production, announce a collaboration on fuel for advanced nuclear reactors at the Nuclear Suppliers Workshop at Pollard Technology Conference Center on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

This story was last updated at 5:30 a.m. Sept. 7.

Two companies that have operations or employees in Oak Ridge are exploring a collaboration for the possible production of fuel for advanced nuclear reactors.

The two companies, X Energy LLC and Centrus Energy Corporation, announced Wednesday that they have signed a memorandum of understanding for the potential collaboration.

They are expected to put together a business plan for the fuel fabrication business. It’s not clear how long that might take, said Jeremy Derryberry, Centrus Energy senior communications manager.

But the companies are working toward the development of a fuel fabrication facility that could possibly be in Oak Ridge, where Centrus, formerly known as USEC, has had operations for about 15 years.

“We really think that Oak Ridge can be a nexus for the advanced reactor industry in the U.S. going forward,” Derryberry said in a telephone interview Wednesday.
[Read more…]

Rezoning request deferred for property in front of AMSE

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The 7.44-acre parcel outlined in red above could be rezoned and allow commercial development south of the American Museum of Science and Energy on South Tulane Avenue. (Image courtesy State of Tennessee)

The 7.44-acre parcel outlined in red above could be rezoned and allow commercial development south of the American Museum of Science and Energy on South Tulane Avenue. (Image courtesy State of Tennessee)

 

The consideration of the rezoning of property for commercial use in front of a museum in central Oak Ridge has been deferred, and the request is expected to be considered later, officials said Thursday.

The Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission had been scheduled to consider the rezoning request during a meeting Thursday evening.

The rezoning could allow commercial development on the 7.44 acres that is now mostly a grass field south of the American Museum of Science and Energy, at the intersection of South Illinois and South Tulane avenues. The site could be used by retailers, restaurants, or groceries, or for office space or multi-family developments, according to a zoning change request filed by the owner. [Read more…]

Rezoning could allow commercial development on former AMSE property

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The 7.44-acre parcel outlined in red above could be rezoned and allow commercial development south of the American Museum of Science and Energy on South Tulane Avenue. (Image courtesy State of Tennessee)

The 7.44-acre parcel outlined in red above could be rezoned and allow commercial development south of the American Museum of Science and Energy on South Tulane Avenue. The DoubleTree Hotel is at center-left, and the U.S. Post Office is at upper right. (Image courtesy State of Tennessee)

 

Note: This story was updated at 10:45 a.m. Aug. 12.

A rezoning being considered by Oak Ridge municipal officials could allow commercial development on property that is now mostly a grass field south of the American Museum of Science and Energy. The 7.44-acre site could be used by retailers, restaurants, or groceries, or for office space or multi-family developments, according to a zoning change request filed by the owner.

The Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission will consider the rezoning request on Thursday. The request was filed by TN Oak Ridge Illinois LLC of Greenville, South Carolina. That company was set up by RealtyLink, the developer of Main Street Oak Ridge at the former Oak Ridge Mall.

The property includes a grass field along South Illinois Avenue between South Tulane Avenue and Badger Avenue. The northern portion of the property includes part of the AMSE parking lot.

The parcel, appraised at $908,300, is located within the city’s central commercial core, the Oak Ridge city staff said in a review of the rezoning request. There are commercial properties on the opposite side of South Tulane Avenue, including the Main Street Oak Ridge redevelopment, the staff said. There is also commercial development on the other side of South Illinois Avenue. [Read more…]

T.J.Maxx now open in Oak Ridge

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The new T.J. Maxx store in Oak Ridge is pictured above on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The new T.J. Maxx store in Oak Ridge is pictured above on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The new T.J.Maxx store is open in Oak Ridge.

The new store opened Sunday, August 6, at Main Street Oak Ridge, the 58-acre project to redevelop the former Oak Ridge Mall.

T.J.Maxx is one of the nation’s leading off-price retailers with more than 1,000 stores currently operating in 49 states and Puerto Rico, a press release said.

T.J.Maxx stores have something for the entire family, the press release said, from fashion and accessories to jewelry, home, beauty, pet products, kids, toys, and more.

“Our newest store in Oak Ridge will offer an ever-changing selection of high-quality, on-trend, and brand-name merchandise at the amazing prices that T.J.Maxx is known for,” said Tim Miner, president of T.J.Maxx. “Our buyers search the globe to discover the best in every department, and we’re excited to bring those finds to a new neighborhood. With thousands of new items delivered to our stores every day, we know our shoppers will find something surprising and unexpected every time they shop.” [Read more…]

Rack Room Shoes now open in Oak Ridge

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Rack Room Shoes Interior July 27 2017

The interior of the new Rack Room Shoes store is pictured above at Main Street Oak Ridge. The store opened Thursday, July 27, 2017. (Photo courtesy Rack Room Shoes)

 

The new Rack Room Shoes store opened at Main Street Oak Ridge on Thursday.

The new store is 5,000 square feet. It is near Belk and between two other new stores at Main Street Oak Ridge: rue21 and Ulta.

Rack Room Shoes is a family footwear retailer.

It’s the fifth new store to open at Main Street Oak Ridge since mid-June. Main Street Oak Ridge is the 58-acre project to redevelop the former Oak Ridge Mall.

The other four stores that have also opened are rue21, maurices, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and PetSmart. The other three stores expected to open soon are Electronic Express, T.J. Maxx, and Ulta. [Read more…]

Rack Room Shoes opens Thursday

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The new Rack Room Shoes store is pictured above at Main Street Oak Ridge on Wednesday, July 26, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The new Rack Room Shoes store is pictured above at Main Street Oak Ridge on Wednesday, July 26, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Rack Room Shoes will open at Main Street Oak Ridge on Thursday.

The new store will be 5,000 square feet. It will be near Belk and between two other new stores at Main Street Oak Ridge: rue21 and Ulta.

Rack Room Shoes is a family footwear retailer, the company said.

It’s the fifth new store to open at Main Street Oak Ridge since mid-June. Main Street Oak Ridge is the 58-acre project to redevelop the former Oak Ridge Mall.

The other four stores that have already opened are rue21, maurices, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and PetSmart. The other three stores expected to open soon are Electronic Express, T.J. Maxx, and Ulta. [Read more…]

LeMond Composites strikes agreement to accelerate commercialization of low-cost carbon fiber

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lemond-composites-greg-lemond-2-oct-12-2016-web

Greg LeMond, three-time Tour de France champion, celebrated the announcement of LeMond Composites, a new company he co-founded, during a ceremony on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 12, 2016, at Heritage Center in west Oak Ridge. The company is expected to make composite bicycles and carbon fiber, and invest $125 million and create 242 new jobs. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

LeMond Composites of Oak Ridge has entered into a global, exclusive 20-year licensing agreement with Deakin University in Australia to commercialize their patent pending manufacturing process to increase production of high performance, low-cost carbon fiber, a press release said.

The licensed process will enable LeMond Composites to commercialize carbon fiber production faster than anyone else currently in the marketplace, the press release said.

“This means LeMond will deliver more of its low-cost carbon fiber faster to industries that benefit from using lighter, stronger materials, like those addressing global energy and transportation challenges,” the press release said.

“Deakin University’s process oxidizes carbon fiber faster, with lower capital and energy costs and greater output of carbon fiber over a shorter period,” said Nicolas Wegener, chief operating officer of LeMond, who negotiated the $44 million dollar deal. “The process requires 75 percent less energy and also reduces the amount of process equipment by 75 percent. These factors make the production of low-cost carbon fiber scalable at a velocity that can keep up with the market demand.” [Read more…]

PetSmart opened Monday; grand opening scheduled for Saturday

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The new PetSmart store at Main Street Oak Ridge is scheduled to open Monday, July 10, 2017, with a grand opening scheduled for Saturday, July 15. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The new PetSmart store at Main Street Oak Ridge is scheduled to open Monday, July 10, 2017, with a grand opening scheduled for Saturday, July 15. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The new PetSmart store at Main Street Oak Ridge is scheduled to open today (Monday, July 10), and a grand opening is scheduled for Saturday.

The grand opening is scheduled for 8:45 a.m. Saturday, July 15. Pets are allowed.

It’s the fourth of eight new stores to open at Main Street Oak Ridge since mid-June. Main Street Oak Ridge is the 58-acre project to redevelop the former Oak Ridge Mall. Besides PetSmart, other stores that have opened at Main Street Oak Ridge are rue21, maurices, and Dick’s Sporting Goods. [Read more…]

maurices open at Main Street Oak Ridge

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maurices at Main Street Oak Ridge is pictured above in June 2017. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

maurices at Main Street Oak Ridge is pictured above in June 2017. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

 

There was a ribbon-cutting ceremony for maurices, a women’s clothing store, at Main Street Oak Ridge on Friday, June 23. Here are a few photos and a video by the City of Oak Ridge.

The maurices store is one of eight new stores opening at Main Street Oak Ridge, the 58-acre project to redevelop the former Oak Ridge Mall. The other seven stores are Dick’s Sporting Goods, Electronic Express, PetSmart, Rack Room Shoes, rue21, T.J. Maxx, and Ulta.

Oak Ridge Today has previously reported on the grand openings for Dick’s Sporting Goods and rue21. [Read more…]