OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — A Baltimore developer is hoping a proposed project will change Oak Ridge's downtown area. JMT Economic Redevelopment has proposed building three housing complexes on a 6.5-acre lot on the corner of Wilson Street and Rutgers Avenue, meant to support employment in the area.
Oak Ridge's downtown area has paled in comparison to most other cities ever since its creation during the Manhattan Project. But, the desire for a downtown is something the town has had for a while.
Wayne Blasius, the city's director of planning and development, said Oak Ridge has had plenty of opportunities to build homes and neighborhoods. But, it hasn't had the chance to build mixed-use spaces that can be found in other cities.
"Oak Ridge has had many, many opportunities for suburban development, forever. But, because of the nature of our history and the way it was created and developed, we've never had sort of a traditional, mixed-use, urban walkable place," he said.
JMT Economic Redevelopment's proposed complexes would house a few different demographic groups. One would house older and active adults between the ages of 65-76. Another would house Ph.D. students between the ages of 26-33, and the third complex would offer short-term housing for interns at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, typically between 19 years old and 23 years old.
Tim Elliott, a developer with the company, said the project is meant to encourage people working in the city to settle in the city.
"We're trying to say, 'Stay in Oak Ridge,' to an older population — 'We have something for you.' And then also, we're doing workforce development and, 'Live your life here in Oak Ridge,'" he said.
Blasius said while the project could help rejuvenate Oak Ridge's downtown area, it could also help organizations in the area retain workers.
"All of our federal employers, plus just people in the community and the region, would like this kind of housing opportunity that we have never had before. So, we believe it will help those employers to recruit people that want to have that kind of living environment and haven't had the choice," he said.
Developers said they're excited about the opportunities this project can bring to Oak Ridge.
"I don't want this to be Oak Ridge-centric. We want somebody to wake up in Knoxville and say, 'Did you hear what's going on this weekend in Oak Ridge?' and drive here," said Elliott.
The project is expected to cost around $100 million and take a few years to complete. The Land Bank Board has until Jan. 24 to approve or deny the proposal.