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Photos: Old AMSE building being demolished

Posted at 9:35 am June 21, 2020
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The former American Museum of Science and Energy building on South Tulane Avenue is being demolished, and apartments are planned on the site. (Photo courtesy Mike Mahathy)

The former American Museum of Science and Energy building is being demolished, and apartments are planned on the site.

The apartment project is expected to include seven three-story buildings with 226 apartment units on 10 acres.

Now called Main Street Lofts, the $32 million apartment project has included an agreement to reduce property taxes and the transfer of what had been federal property from the U.S. Department of Energy to the city and then to TN Oak Ridge Illinois, a company affiliated with RealtyLink, the developer of Main Street Oak Ridge.

The apartments are being built as RealtyLink, a South Carolina company, plans to build more new stores across South Tulane Avenue at Main Street Oak Ridge, the redevelopment of the former Oak Ridge Mall.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Business, Business, Front Page News, Government, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Office, Slider, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: American Museum of Science and Energy, AMSE, Daniel Smith, Main Street Lofts, Main Street Oak Ridge, Mainstreet Capital Partners, Oak Ridge, RealtyLink, TN Oak Ridge Illinois, U.S. Department of Energy

Museums, national park center closed

Posted at 11:34 am March 18, 2020
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The American Museum of Science and Energy is pictured above on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Museums and the national park welcome center in Oak Ridge are closed because of COVID-19, the respiratory illness that has infected more than 200,000 people in at least 144 countries around the world and killed more than 8,000 people.

The museums closed in Oak Ridge are the American Museum of Science and Energy, Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge, K-25 History Center, Oak Ridge History Museum at Midtown Community Center (Wildcat Den), and Y-12 History Museum at New Hope Center.

Also closed is the Manhattan Project National Historical Park Welcome Center at the Children’s Museum.

The AMSE bus tours are also not operating now.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, COVID-19, Federal, Front Page News, Government, Health, History, Museums, Museums, Slider, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: American Museum of Science and Energy, AMSE bus tours, Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, coronavirus, COVID-19, Explore Oak Ridge, K-25 History Center, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, museum, Oak Ridge History Museum, Y-12 History Museum

For members: Chinns part of apartment project on former AMSE site

Posted at 9:32 am February 27, 2020
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

 
AMSE-Site-Feb-11-2020

The former American Museum of Science and Energy is pictured above on South Tulane Avenue on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Oak Ridge Mayor Pro Tem Rick Chinn and his brother Ryan are minority partners in the project to build apartments at the former American Museum of Science and Energy site.

Rick Chinn, a developer, said this month that the project will bring much-needed apartments to the city, allowing more people who work in Oak Ridge to live here. The apartments are being built as RealtyLink, a South Carolina developer, plans to build more new stores across South Tulane Avenue at Main Street Oak Ridge, the redevelopment of the former Oak Ridge Mall.

Now called Main Street Lofts, the apartment project has included an agreement to reduce property taxes and the transfer of what had been federal property from the U.S. Department of Energy to the city and then to a developer. It will include the demolition of the former AMSE building. It is expected to include seven three-story buildings with 226 apartment units on 10 acres.

Rick Chinn and his father, Richard Chinn, a member of the Oak Ridge Industrial Development Board, have been abstaining from votes related to the apartment project for at least a year.

They have not been required to explain their abstentions, but Oak Ridge Today has asked Rick and Richard Chinn why they have been abstaining.

The rest of this story, which you will find only on Oak Ridge Today, is available if you are a member: an advertiser, sponsor, or subscriber to Oak Ridge Today.

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Filed Under: Business, Business, Front Page News, Government, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, Premium Content, Slider Tagged With: American Museum of Science and Energy, AMSE, apartments, City of Oak Ridge, Daniel Smith, IDB, Ken Krushenski, Legacy Capital Partners, Leigh Burch, Main Street Lofts, Main Street—Oak Ridge, Mainstreet Capital Partners, Oak Ridge City Council, Oak Ridge Industrial Development Board, payment in lieu of taxes, PILOT, R&R Enterprises, R&R Investors, RealtyLink, Richard Chinn, Rick Chinn, Ryan Chinn, Terminus Real Estate, Tire Discounters, TN Oak Ridge Illinois, Tom Beehan, U.S. Department of Energy

Leadership Oak Ridge provides outdoor seating area at AMSE

Posted at 2:42 pm December 5, 2019
By Kathy Gillenwaters Leave a Comment

Leadership-Oak-Ridge-2019-Graduation.jpg

Members of the 2019 Leadership Oak Ridge Class recently graduated and dedicated their class project: a gathering space near the American Museum of Science and Energy. (Submitted photo)

 

 

Information from Kathy Gillenwaters and Amanda Meixel Kinghorn

Members of the Leadership Oak Ridge program recently finished a project that provides enhancements to the American Museum of Science and Energy. The multi-offering project was made possible through numerous volunteer hours from participants and generous donations from local businesses, a press release said.

Additions include a new outdoor seating area, landscaping, and beautification installations, the press release said.

“The new gathering area was a project of particular importance and filled a need that existed since AMSE’s location change last year,” the release said.

AMSE now has outdoor classroom space, transition space for rotating large groups through the educational facility, and seating for the bus tour that departs from the building nine months of the year. The project also included new landscaping and beautification pieces that enhance the visual appeal of Oak Ridge’s expanding Main Street area, the press release said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Business, Community, Front Page News, Museums, Oak Ridge, Top Stories Tagged With: American Museum of Science and Energy, AMSE, Center for Leadership and Community Development, Leadership Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, Richelle Ballenger

Oak Ridge receives award for partnership that led to AMSE opening in new space

Posted at 1:42 pm November 8, 2019
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

The City of Oak Ridge was formally honored with a Community Partnership Award during a Celebration of Service to the Profession as part of ICMA’s Annual Conference on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson, center; Government Affairs and Information Services Director Amy Fitzgerald, second from left; and Administrative Services Director Bruce Applegate, left, accepted the award in Nashville. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

The City of Oak Ridge has received an award for the intergovernmental partnership that led to the American Museum of Science and Energy opening in a new centrally located space in Main Street Oak Ridge.

The 2019 Community Partnership Award was presented to the city by the International City/County Management Association, or ICMA.

“The award recognizes innovative programs or processes between and/or among a local government and other governmental entities, private sector businesses, individuals, or nonprofit agencies to improve the quality of life for residents or provide more efficient and effective services,” a press release said.

The City of Oak Ridge was formally honored during a Celebration of Service to the Profession as part of ICMA’s Annual Conference on Wednesday, October 23. Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson, Government Affairs and Information Services Director Amy Fitzgerald, and Administrative Services Director Bruce Applegate accepted the award in Nashville.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Front Page News, Government, Oak Ridge, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: American Museum of Science and Energy, AMSE, Amy Fitzgerald, Bruce Applegate, City of Oak Ridge, Community Partnership Award, ICMA, International City/County Management Association, Main Street—Oak Ridge, Mark Watson, U.S. Department of Energy

Council to consider vet services contract, changes to property transfer agreement

Posted at 1:33 pm August 20, 2019
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The Oak Ridge City Council will consider a contract with a veterinarian at the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter and potential changes to the property transfer agreement with TN Oak Ridge Illinois LLC during a special meeting this evening (Tuesday, August 20).

The veterinary services contract would be with Matt Jinks of Maryville.

TN Oak Ridge Illinois LLC is the company helping to lead the redevelopment of the former American Museum of Science and Energy site, and it is affiliated with the company developing Main Street Oak Ridge at the former Oak Ridge Mall. The changes to the property transfer agreement could include extending the first tax revenue condition by one year and requiring a letter of credit for the community-oriented amenities, according to Council’s meeting agenda.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Business, Government, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, Top Stories Tagged With: American Museum of Science and Energy, Main Street—Oak Ridge, Matt Jinks, Oak Ridge Animal Shelter, Oak Ridge City Council, property transfer agreement, TN Oak Ridge Illinois LLC, vet services, veterinary services

Learn more about ‘Secret City,’ Manhattan Project during bus tours in August

Posted at 10:57 pm July 12, 2019
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

oakridge_graphite-reactor_mainpg_1_1
The X-10 Graphite Reactor with workers. (U.S. Department of Energy)

Two new bus tours offered in Oak Ridge in August will allow you to learn more about the unique heritage of the Manhattan Project, a press release said. The bus tours are the “Secret City” and “Oak Ridge Museums” tours.

The “Secret City” tour will be led by a National Park Service ranger, last three hours, and include that day’s admission to the American Museum of Science and Energy.

“During the Manhattan Project, a community was created almost overnight to accomplish the monumental task of producing enriched uranium on a large scale,” the press release said. “During the tour, visitors can develop an understanding of what life was like during World War II in a city behind a fence that no one was supposed to discuss. The tour will also include a visit to the X-10 Graphite Reactor, a National Historic Landmark, and the world’s first nuclear reactor designed and built for continuous operation.”

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Federal, Front Page News, Government, History, Top Stories Tagged With: American Museum of Science and Energy, bus tours, Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, Graphite Reactor, Manhattan Project, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, National Park Service, Oak Ridge History Museum, Oak Ridge museums, Secret City, World War II

Council to consider revised Main Street plan

Posted at 11:59 am May 13, 2019
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The Oak Ridge City Council on Monday, May 13, 2019, will consider the revised plan for Main Street Oak Ridge, the 58-acre project to redevelop the former Oak Ridge Mall.

The Oak Ridge City Council on Monday will consider the revised plan for Main Street Oak Ridge, the 58-acre project to redevelop the former Oak Ridge Mall.

An earlier version of the revised plan was rejected by Council in a 3-4 vote in January. But since then, a new revised plan has been submitted to the city. In April, the Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission recommended 7-1 that the new plan, which is similar to the earlier plan, be approved with some conditions.

The revised plan is being considered as RealtyLink, the South Carolina developer, prepares to welcome a second wave of tenants to the site, which is in central Oak Ridge. It would be the second phase of the project, and it could include 90,000 square feet of new retail buildings, an open space near the Belk store, and new sidewalks and crosswalks. It could also include a bus drop-off area near the relocated American Museum of Science and Energy.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Business, Front Page News, Government, Government, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, Slider Tagged With: American Museum of Science and Energy, JCPenney, Main Street—Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge City Council, Oak Ridge Mall, Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission, PetSmart, revised plan, Rutgers Avenue, Wilson Street

Secret City Radio Show presents Robinella, Sarah Pirkle on Friday

Posted at 12:40 pm May 10, 2019
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

The Secret City Radio Show on Friday, May 10, 2019, will feature local singer/songwriter Robinella with special guests songwriter/fiddle player Sarah Pirkle and Giffin Vann. (Submitted photo)

The Secret City Radio Show on Friday will feature local singer/songwriter Robinella with special guests songwriter/fiddle player Sarah Pirkle and Giffin Vann.

The Secret City Radio Show will be broadcast live from the new American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge by East Tennessee’s WDVX 89.9 FM. The show is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Friday, May 10. You can also listen on 102.9 FM in Knoxville, at 93.9 FM in Seymour and Kodak, and online at WDVX.com.

Amber McBride of Oak Ridge National Laboratory will present some innovative bioscience technology that is preserving forests around the world, and UCOR will present the Clinch River Trail Alliance, a press release said.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Entertainment, Festivals, Music, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Radio, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: Amber McBride, American Museum of Science and Energy, Clinch River Trail Alliance, Giffin Vann, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Robinella, Sarah Pirkle, Secret City Radio Show, UCOR, WDVX

Former Space Station division director to speak in Oak Ridge on Thursday

Posted at 3:48 pm May 1, 2019
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Mark Uhran

Mark Uhran, former director of NASA’s International Space Station Division, will speak in Oak Ridge on Thursday. The title of his presentation is “An Achievable Vision for Space Exploration: Establishing a Gateway Proving Ground for Space Exploration Technology.”

The event is sponsored by Friends of ORNL. It is free to attend, and it will be held at the new American Museum of Science and Energy at 115 East Main Street in Oak Ridge.

It’s the opening of the 22nd Annual Dick Smyser Community Lecture Series. A reception will be held in the auditorium anteroom starting at 5:30 p.m. (snacks will be served), and the lecture starts at 6 p.m. in the museum auditorium, a press release said.

“This talk should be of interest to students and the general public,” the press release said.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Federal, Front Page News, Government, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: American Museum of Science and Energy, Dick Smyser Community Lecture Series, Friends of ORNL, International Space Station Division, Mark Uhran, NASA

AMSE celebrates 70 years

Posted at 3:12 pm March 15, 2019
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Image courtesy American Museum of Science and Energy

Image courtesy American Museum of Science and Energy

 

The American Museum of Science and Energy is celebrating 70 years. As part of the celebration, there are three events scheduled next week, on March 19 and March 23, at AMSE and Oak Ridge History Museum.

It’s being called a platinum anniversary celebration of science, ingenuity, and the catalyst of the Atomic Age.

“As an anchor of the community, AMSE is proud to celebrate a city that once only existed a vision,” a press release said. “The footprint of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, will forever be etched into history as one of the foundations of the Manhattan Project. Seventy years ago, steps were taken to preserve that vision and recognize how the world was changed by the ‘Secret City.’ The museum tells the story about how and why people learned to split the atom. On March 19, 1949, the city’s gates and the nation’s first atomic energy museum, named the American Museum of Atomic Energy, were opened to the public for the first time. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Community, Front Page News, History, Slider Tagged With: American Museum of Atomic Energy, American Museum of Science and Energy, AMSE, AMSE Foundation, Atomic Energy, atomic energy museum, Manhattan Project, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association, Oak Ridge History Museum, platinum anniversary

Manhattan Project: National Parks World War II Film Festival on Saturday

Posted at 10:06 am March 12, 2019
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

K-25-69 Close up of welding in prefabrecation shop 1944 (bld.300) Photo by Ed Westcott

K-25-69 Close up of welding in prefabrecation shop 1944 (bld.300) Photo by Ed Westcott

 

The Manhattan Project National Historical Park will present films from National Park Service sites that commemorate events and issues related to World War II and the nuclear deterrent used during the Cold War on Saturday, a press release said.

The film festival is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 16, at the American Museum of Science and Energy.

National parks tell the stories of America’s World War II experience—from Pearl Harbor to the war’s atomic end, the press release said.

“The range of our nation’s national parks show how a resilient America mobilized its people to triumph over tyranny, explore places where technological and social barriers collapsed, confront the war’s darker legacies, and stand atop soils where American blood was shed, coastlines defended, and valor was memorialized forever,” the press release said. “Across the nation, national park sites help tell the story of our nation during World War II and help us ensure President Truman’s promise that ‘America will never forget their sacrifices’ will always hold true.”

National Park Service films on March 16, will come from: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Entertainment, Front Page News, Government, Government, Movies, Oak Ridge, Slider Tagged With: American Museum of Science and Energy, Cold War, film festival, Manhattan Project, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, National Park Service, nuclear deterrent, World War II

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Classifieds

Public Notice: Comment period extended for Draft EA for Lithium Processing Facility at Y-12

EXTENSION OF THE COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE LITHIUM PROCESSING … [Read More...]

Public Notice: Draft Environmental Assessment Available for Lithium Production Facility at Y-12

AVAILABILITY OF THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE LITHIUM PROCESSING FACILITY AT THE Y-12 … [Read More...]

Availability of the Final Environmental Assessment for the Oak Ridge Enhanced Technology and Training Center (ORETTC) (DOE/EA-2144), Finding of No Significant Impact, and Wetland Statement of Findings

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announces the … [Read More...]

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