renovations Archives - Oak Ridge Today

Blankenship Field renovations to start after football season

Posted at 6:14 pm July 12, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Blankenship Field and Jack Armstrong Stadium are pictured above on Tuesday, June 19, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The renovations at Blankenship Field, including the installation of synthetic turf, won’t start until after this year’s football season ends, officials said Thursday.

At one time, there had been hopes that the renovation work would have started this past January and be finished by this June. Then, after an $800,000 contract was approved in June, there had still been the possibility that the work could be complete this summer, on or around the first home football game in August.

But on Thursday, the City of Oak Ridge announced a decision to wait until the Oak Ridge High School football season is complete to begin the renovations.

“The decision was based on the contractor’s estimate that the project could not be completed without impacting the first three home football games,” a city press release said. [Read more…]

Updated: Council approves $500,000 renovation to Fire Station 4 at ETTP

Posted at 12:45 am May 14, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Fire Department Station 4 is pictured above at the East Tennessee Technology Park, the former K-25 site in west Oak Ridge. (File photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Energy)

Note: This story was updated at 10 a.m. May 15.

The Oak Ridge City Council on Monday authorized about $500,000 in renovations at Fire Station 4 at the East Tennessee Technology Park, the former K-25 site, a federal site in west Oak Ridge.

The funds for the renovations are currently available in the Fiscal Year 2019 budget for the West End Fire Fund, Oak Ridge Fire Chief Darryl Kerley said in an April 27 memo to City Manager Mark Watson.

The total estimated cost of the renovations, based on a sealed bid process, is not to exceed $515,000, Kerley said. He said funds have been set aside for the past 11 years.

The project was unanimously approved in a 7-0 vote after a brief discussion at the City Council meeting on Monday.

The funds are part of the overall re-industrialization that will convert the ETTP fire station from a U.S. Department of Energy fire station to a municipal fire station through a DOE memorandum of agreement for the operation and maintenance of the fire station. [Read more…]

First United Methodist Church celebrates renovation in open house Sunday

Posted at 10:22 am January 8, 2017
By Jeff Kile Leave a Comment

first-united-methodist-church-sign-2-nov-2016

A new cross is installed at First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge in November 2016. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

First United Methodist Church has an open house today to celebrate a recent renovation.

The open house is from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, January 8.

During the $600,000 renovation, the church upgraded audio visuals in both worship spaces, erected two new signs, and completely renovated the youth loft, second floor restrooms, hallways, welcome center, and classrooms. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge receives $500,000 housing grant

Posted at 5:54 pm June 7, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge has received a $500,000 state housing grant from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency.

The city will use the THDA funds to renovate and weatherize 63 owner-occupied, single-family homes in the Manhattan District Overlay zone, a press release said.

The grant award will be presented to the City of Oak Ridge at 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 8, at 138 South Purdue Avenue in the Woodland neighborhood.

That property at the corner of South Purdue Avenue and Northwestern Avenue is the site of a recent project that is part of the city’s effort to renovate substandard houses. The City of Oak Ridge bought a blighted home there in April 2014 and demolished it in June 2014. [Read more…]

Photos: Jackson Square parking lot work continues Thursday

Posted at 8:58 pm September 17, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

New landscaping is in the foreground and the interactive fountain is in the background at Jackson Square as construction continued on the $1 million parking lot renovation on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The $1 million renovation of the Jackson Square parking lot continued Thursday, with the goal of finishing the project in time for Taste of Anderson County on Saturday.

Construction started in January on what has turned into one of the most closely watched projects in Oak Ridge. Work is funded with help from a $741,609 Tennessee Department of Transportation Enhancement Grant that was awarded to the city in June 2012. The TDOT grant covers 80 percent of the work, and it requires a 20 percent city match.

The work is reported to be the first major renovation at Jackson Square in 70 years. It includes a landscaped pedestrian plaza with parking, an interactive fountain, stone pavers, curbing, asphalt paving, utilities, benches, sidewalks, and upgrades under the American with Disabilities Act. [Read more…]

State approves $1.4 million worth of renovations at Norris Dam park

Posted at 10:06 am July 20, 2013
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Norris Dam State Park (Image courtesy Tennessee State Parks)

Tennessee officials have approved new renovation plans valued at $1.4 million at Norris Dam State Park in Anderson County, two state legislators said Friday.

The State Building Commission has approved the restoration of the Tea Room, the Linen House, and 19 cabins built in the 1930s, said representatives John Ragan, an Oak Ridge Republican, and Dennis Powers, a Jacksboro Republican. [Read more…]

Workers, volunteers celebrate animal shelter renovations

Posted at 12:32 pm April 4, 2013
By John Huotari 1 Comment

Workers and volunteers celebrate renovations at the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter during an open house Monday.

The Oak Ridge Animal Shelter has a new exam room and a renovated surgery room.

It also has new paint, hospital-grade flooring, and a more inviting lobby area with a lower front desk and an animal adoption room.

The renovations, which included cleaning and electrical work, started in January. Except for the flooring, the work was done by the Oak Ridge municipal staff.

City workers and animal rescue volunteers celebrated with an open house Monday. They said the shelter seems more pleasant and inviting now, and the animals seem less stressed. [Read more…]

Council approves $128,000 for Centennial Golf Course renovations

Posted at 12:06 am September 14, 2012
By John Huotari 5 Comments

Despite the objections of one official and one resident, the Oak Ridge City Council on Monday agreed to spend $128,000 to renovate 29 bunkers, or sand traps, at Centennial Golf Course.

The Golf Course Fund will be used to pay for the repairs at the city-owned course. The work will be done by First Place Finish Inc. of Oak Ridge and Signet Golf Associates.

[Read more…]

Centennial golf bunkers could be renovated for $128,000

Posted at 3:45 am September 10, 2012
By John Huotari 12 Comments

Twenty-nine bunkers, or sand traps, could be renovated at Centennial Golf Course for $128,000 under a resolution to be considered by the Oak Ridge City Council tonight.

The Golf Course Fund would be used to pay for the repairs at the city-owned golf course. The work would be done by First Place Finish Inc. of Oak Ridge, with help from Signet Golf Associates.