OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — Oak Ridge, a city born in secrecy without a centralized downtown, has attempted to build an attractive hub of businesses and residencies on multiple occasions.
According to the city of Oak Ridge, it is now proposing a location for its residents to live, work and play — The Wilson Street corridor. It borders Main Street near the American Museum of Science and Energy. In a release, city leaders said it "provides a great opportunity to finally have a distinctive, uniquely Oak Ridge place for us to gather."
The city hopes that the existence of a more urban environment with apartments, condos, restaurants, local shops, offices and green spaces will bring in a new type of business to the city. According to Oak Ridge Land Bank Inc., it is interested in selling developable parcels to foster the growth of the project and serve as a catalyst for continued development.
“The intention is to create an intense, active, diverse, walkable and unique urban, mixed-use district,” said Wayne Blasius, Oak Ridge's Planning and Development Director.
ORLB is also offering around 6.5 acres of vacant property at the eastern end of the development corridor to developers interested in bringing new businesses and homes to the area.
Blasius also said the community has wanted a downtown area for a long time, so he finds it vital for them to put in the work to finally make it a reality.
"A key part of the development would be to attract people to live in the future downtown district," Blasius said.
He said he hopes for a construction start time as early as 2025.
Residents also spoke on the project, saying they often venture outside of Oak Ridge for entertainment due to the lack of things to do downtown, and they are eager to have the district so close to home.