Oak Ridge Today

Main Street: Workers setting up parking lot lighting for Belk, JCPenney during mall demolition

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Main Street Oak Ridge Electrical Work Goody's Close-up July 18 2016

Workers from Danny Davis Electrical Contractors Inc. of Maryville set up parking lot lighting that will be used at Belk and JCPenney during demolition of the enclosed space between the two anchor stores at the former Oak Ridge Mall as part of the 58-acre redevelopment known as Main Street Oak Ridge. A worker is pictured above near the former Goody’s store on Monday, July 18, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

On Monday, workers from Danny Davis Electrical Contractors Inc. of Maryville were setting up parking lot lighting that will be used at Belk and JCPenney during demolition of the enclosed space between those two stores as part of the 58-acre redevelopment known as Main Street Oak Ridge.

Wiring to the existing parking lot lights is expected to be disconnected as part of the redevelopment, which is at the former Oak Ridge Mall.

Danny Davis Electrical has been at the Main Street Oak Ridge site since the beginning of last week. They’ve had to find existing electrical lines and determine how they were controlled, foreman Greg Miller said. [Read more…]

City to discuss site plans for Panda Express, TownePlace Suites on Thursday

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Ruby-Tuesday-Panda-Express-July-15-2016 1

Oak Ridge officials will discuss site plans for two more new businesses on Thursday: a Panda Express restaurant and TownePlace Suites by Marriott, a hotel. The Panda Express would be on part of the property that was once home to a Ruby Tuesday restaurant, pictured above on Friday, July 15, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 9:20 a.m. July 17.

Oak Ridge officials will discuss site plans for two more new businesses on Thursday. The first is Panda Express, a restaurant, and the second is TownePlace Suites by Marriott, a hotel.

There have now been more than a dozen new businesses announced in Oak Ridge so far this year.

The Panda Express, a fast casual Chinese restaurant, would be at the site of the former Ruby Tuesday restaurant on South Illinois Avenue, in front of Walmart and next to Comfort Inn. The developer wants to take the property and divide it into two parcels, with the Panda Express on one lot and possibly two to three retail stores in one building on the other.

The four-story TownPlace Suites would be on 2.6 acres between East Main Street and Rutgers Avenue on the south side of Wilson Street. That property is on the northeast side of Main Street Oak Ridge, near JCPenney at the former Oak Ridge Mall. [Read more…]

Public invited to Main Street Oak Ridge groundbreaking on July 20

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MAIN STREET OAK RIDGE 2

A construction fence was put up this week around parts of the former Oak Ridge Mall, and an Oak Ridge Public Works Department crew worked to dig up a water line leading to the building ahead of demolition, preparing for construction of Main Street Oak Ridge, a 58-acre mixed-use development expected to include retailers, restaurants, residential units, and a hotel. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

 

The public has been invited to a July 20 groundbreaking at Main Street Oak Ridge, the project to redevelop the former Oak Ridge Mall.

The groundbreaking is scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 20.

“City leaders, planners, local business representatives, and members of the community will gather for a ceremonious kickoff to demolition,” a media advisory said.

RealtyLink, the Greenville, South Carolina, developer, bought the 58-acre site on June 30. Since then, construction crews have been preparing the property for demolition so they can begin a multi-million dollar renovation. [Read more…]

Photo: Water utility work before mall demolition at Main Street Oak Ridge

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Oak Ridge Public Works Main Street Oak Ridge Water Line July 14 2016 Full

The Oak Ridge Public Works Department cuts and plugs an unused fire line near the former Sears store at the former Oak Ridge Mall on Thursday, July 14, 2016. The work is being done in preparation for the demolition of the former mall, which will be replaced by Main Street Oak Ridge, a 58-acre mixed-use development. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 1:15 p.m.

The Oak Ridge Public Works Department was cutting and plugging an unused fire line near the former Sears store at the former Oak Ridge Mall on Thursday morning, preparing for the demolition of the former mall and construction of Main Street Oak Ridge, the 58-acre mixed-use redevelopment that will replace it.

About 4,000 feet of construction fencing was put up Tuesday and Wednesday around the unused enclosed space between the mall’s two remaining anchors, Belk and JCPenney. That fencing was erected before the start of demolition, which could start next week, according to RealtyLink, the Greenville, South Carolina, company redeveloping the property.

A groundbreaking has been scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 20.

Water meters on unused lines or areas of the mall that are being demolished were disconnected on Monday and Tuesday at the request of the developer, said Rick Irwin, Oak Ridge Public Works operations and maintenance manager. [Read more…]

Preparing for demolition, construction: Fence installed at Main Street Oak Ridge

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Main Street Oak Ridge Fencing July 12 2016 Slider 2

Loudon County Fence LLC started putting up 4,000 feet of construction fencing around the former Oak Ridge Mall on Tuesday, July 12, 2016, preparing the site for partial demolition and construction of Main Street Oak Ridge, a 58-acre mixed-use development. These workers are near the former Sears store. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 3 p.m. July 13.

Workers started installing construction fencing around the former Oak Ridge Mall on Tuesday morning, as the new owner prepares for demolition of much of that building and construction of Main Street Oak Ridge, the 58-acre project to redevelop the site.

Loudon County Fence LLC, which is based in Lenoir City, expects to install 4,000 feet of fence around some parts of the former mall, which is now mostly empty. Some parts near Belk and JCPenney, the two remaining anchor stores, will remain open.

The work could be complete Wednesday afternoon. [Read more…]

Main Street Oak Ridge groundbreaking on July 20, city manager says

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RealtyLink-at-Main-Street-JCPenney-July-5-2016

The sale of the Oak Ridge Mall closed Thursday, June 30, 2016, and executives from RealtyLink, the developer of Main Street Oak Ridge, were at the 58-acre site on Tuesday, July 5, planning for the demolition of enclosed spaces between Belk and JCPenney, the two remaining anchors. From left are Matt Usry, RealtyLink project manager; Brett Rogers, RealtyLink construction director; and Brad Gunn, RealtyLink property manager. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The groundbreaking for Main Street Oak Ridge has been scheduled for 2 p.m. July 20, City Manager Mark Watson said Monday.

Main Street Oak Ridge is the 58-acre project to redevelop the former Oak Ridge Mall.

Executives from RealtyLink, the Greenville, South Carolina, company redeveloping the mall, have said demolition machinery could be at the site the week of July 18.

Watson said the July 20 groundbreaking has been confirmed with RealtyLink Principal Neil Wilson.

Watson announced the groundbreaking, which will be open to the public, during the Monday night Oak Ridge City Council meeting as a “save the date” event. [Read more…]

RealtyLink at Main Street preparing for mall demolition

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RealtyLink-at-Main-Street-JCPenney-July-5-2016

The sale of the former Oak Ridge Mall closed Thursday, and executives from RealtyLink, the developer of Main Street Oak Ridge, were at the 58-acre site on Tuesday, July 5, 2016, preparing for the demolition of enclosed spaces between Belk and JCPenney, the two remaining anchors. From left are Matt Usry, RealtyLink project manager; Brett Rogers, RealtyLink construction director; and Brad Gunn, RealtyLink property manager. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The sale of the former Oak Ridge Mall closed Thursday, and executives from RealtyLink, the developer of Main Street Oak Ridge, were at the 58-acre site on Tuesday, preparing for demolition.

Three executives at the site on Tuesday morning were Matt Usry, RealtyLink project manager; Brett Rogers, RealtyLink construction director; and Brad Gunn, RealtyLink property manager.

The company is scheduled to meet with city staff, contractors, and subcontractors this afternoon (Tuesday, July 5) to review demolition and construction plans. Among the topics expected to be discussed are utility disconnections at the mostly empty mall.

Plans call for demolishing the enclosed spaces between Belk and JCPenney, the two remaining anchor stores. Utility disconnects near Belk could start Monday, July 11, and demolition machinery could be at Main Street Oak Ridge the week of July 18, officials said. [Read more…]

Mall demolition could start week of July 18

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Goody's Family Clothing Oak Ridge June 30 2016

The existing enclosed space between Belk and JCPenney, the two remaining anchors at the former Oak Ridge Mall, is expected to be demolished, including this former Goody’s Family Clothing store near JCPenney. The sale of the 58-acre former mall site has closed, an executive said on Friday, July 1, 2016. RealtyLink of Greenville, South Carolina, plans to redevelop the 58-acre site 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 3 p.m.

Demolition of parts of the former Oak Ridge Mall could start the week of July 18, an executive said Friday.

Construction of the first new stores could start in October, next to Belk, said Neil Wilson, principal of RealtyLink, a development company based in Greenville, South Carolina.

A demolition crew will be at the roughly 58-acre site on Tuesday, but they may not be noticed right away because they might be inside. Workers first have to shut down the utilities that serve the old mall, Wilson said, and that could take a few days. [Read more…]

Four more stores announced at Main Street Oak Ridge

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Oak Ridge Mall

The former Oak Ridge City Center, which could be redeveloped as a multi-use town center known as Main Street Oak Ridge, is pictured above. Also known as the former Oak Ridge Mall, the L-shaped building is at center. The white building at center left is Walmart, and it is not part of the proposed redevelopment. Neither is the white building at center top, the Tinseltown Theater. JCPenney is near the bottom right of the “L” and Belk is near the top left. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 3 p.m.

Four stores had already been announced at Main Street Oak Ridge, the project to redevelop the former Oak Ridge Mall.

On Friday, Neil Wilson, principal of RealtyLink, the South Carolina company redeveloping the mall, announced four more.

The four stores that had already been announced were Dick’s Sporting Goods, PetSmart, T.J. Maxx, and Ulta. [Read more…]

Mall sale has closed, executives say

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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…]

Readers ask about Walmart-Crown American covenants; read them here

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Main-Street-Oak-Ridge-Sign-Dec-21-2015

Workers from Masstar Signs of Greenville, S.C., install a new shopping center pylon sign at South Illinois Avenue and East Tulsa Road that announces Main Street Oak Ridge, the planned $80 million redevelopment of the former Oak Ridge Mall. Pictured above on Monday, Dec. 21, 2015, is Will Biggs of Masstar Signs. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

When the redevelopment of the former Oak Ridge Mall is discussed, it’s not unusual to hear residents ask questions or raise concerns about the so-called Walmart covenants. Those are probably the most frequently cited covenants or restrictions in place at the former mall site.

But they’re not the only ones. Oak Ridge retail consultant Ray Evans said Cinemark Tinseltown theater, JCPenney, Belk, and Staples also have rights on the site redevelopment plan. As an example, some rights are related to not interfering with some nearby parking or roadways at certain times of the year.

Evans said it’s not true that the Walmart covenants have prevented redevelopment of the property. More generally, it’s not unusual in a redevelopment to have many people who have lots of rights, Evans said.

He said the Walmart covenants had no impact on the proposed redevelopment by RealtyLink, a project known as Main Street Oak Ridge. In fact, he thinks RealtyLink would probably say that Walmart was easy to work with, Evans said. [Read more…]

Recording of subdivision plat for mall redevelopment shows comfort among attorneys, consultant says

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Oak Ridge Mall

The Oak Ridge City Center, which could be redeveloped as a multi-use town center known as Main Street, is pictured above. Also known as the former Oak Ridge Mall, the L-shaped building is at center. The white building at center left is Walmart, and it is not part of the proposed redevelopment. Neither is the white building at center top, the Tinseltown Theater. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 5:30 p.m.

The subdivision plat for Main Street Oak Ridge, the redevelopment of the former Oak Ridge Mall, was on its way to the Anderson County Register of Deeds to be recorded on Tuesday afternoon, said Ray Evans, retail consultant for the City of Oak Ridge.

That means the attorneys for both the buyer and the seller were comfortable enough with their progress to have the plat recorded, Evans said.

Officials said last week that RealtyLink, the proposed developer, is on track to close on the sale of the roughly 60-acre mall site by the end of June. It’s currently owned by Oak Ridge City Center LLC.

The Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission added a lot to the subdivision plat for the proposed redevelopment in April, creating 11 interior lots. Officials said that requested change had to do with project financing, and it was a minor change from what was approved several months earlier. [Read more…]