When I arrived in Oak Ridge almost four years ago I kept looking for downtown. I never found it. Instead I found Jackson Square and wondered why the city was not taking advatage of thie beautiful jewel int he middle of a dying town. Today I am working with a committed group of property owners, merchants, corporate partners and local citizens who recognize the role a vital retail district can play in revitalizing a community’s identity , spirit and economy, are working towards the revitalization of the historic shopping areas of Oak Ridge.
The Oak Ridge Revitalization Effort is a private, not for profit, organization dedicated to the revitalization of Oak Ridge’s historic shopping areas and neighborhoods. An area we like to refer to as the “historic core of our community”.
ORRE is coordinated by a part-time Executive Director, and led by a Board of Directors consisted of property owners, merchants, community leaders and residents. We rely on volunteers to staff committees and help achieve objectives. By investing in the existing infrastructure, we hope to retain and attract new businesses and return long vacant properties to the tax rolls. The goal is to bring shoppers to the historic centers and improve the neighborhoods while engaging citizens in creating a stronger community in which to live, works and play.
A city’s retail center is a reflection of how a community sees themselves and how they are perceived by visitors. Jackson Square and Grove Center are the historic core of this community and represent a vast amount of public and private investment in thecommunity. Through revitalization we will begin to provide a sense of community and place that will become a tourist draw for Oak Ridge. This area can become a good incubator for new small business which are the building block of a healthy community.
With unified efforts from the business community, local citizens and other like minded groups along with support from City and County, ORRE will begin to offer more to Oak Ridge every day – more activities, more shops, more homes, more offices and more LIFE.
Plans include getting the area into top physical shape. By capitalizing on the existing assets, ORRE will strive to create an inviting atmosphere through the development of green space, streetscaping & new landscaping in the centers. The plan is to develop and series of identifying markers and a pedestrian pathway that will connect the two centers. Appearance is important to a healthy commercial district. Without gimmicks or themes, it is the plan of ORRE to build on existing resources and strengths.
ORRE will begin to sell the image and promise of the Effort to the community through new retail promotional activities and special events by forging a positive image to shoppers, investors, new businesses and visitors. This year they will continue to offer the twice-weekly Farmers Market from spring to fall in Jackson Square. The new “Fair Weather Lunch” program begins this spring in both centers where you will be invited to bring your lunch or buy your lunch from one of center’s restaurants while enjoying a leisurely lunch hour with live entertainment. On March 15 ORRE will present their first spring concert, CELT, an evening in Ireland with Michael Londra. The Lavender Festival returns on June 18 with the popular Herb Luncheon followed by the festival in Jackson Square on June 19. In October Taste of Oak Ridge returns to Jackson Square with even bigger plans and Pumpkin Fest will once again be in Grove Center. As the holidays approach Santa will arrive in Grove Center and the community will gather for cookies and hot chocolate during the Jackson Square Tree Lighting
The promotions committee will also begin on a possible Tennis Tournament in the fall and an Arts & Craft Market that will last for a week during the holiday season in Jackson Square.
The Development Committee will begin the tough job of building consensus and cooperation among the groups that have an important stake in our community by using the common-sense formula of a volunteer-driven program and getting the entire community working toward common goals. At the same time they will be finding new or better purposes for ORRE enterprises and help existing businesses expand while at the same time recruiting new ones. Every effort will be made to convert unused space into productive properties and sharpen the competitiveness of the local business community.
Everyone benefits from a successful revitalization effort. Building owners will begin to see an increase in the property values. Merchants who work together by promoting, communicating and advertising will begin to bring in new business and increase repeat business. The public will discover a new pride in their city as a revitalized image of the core of their community is developed and new retail becomes available. By enhancing community livability and in turn attracting new economic development the corporate sector will be able to offer Oak Ridge as a community that offers employees a wonderful place to live, work and play . Realtors can begin to market the community as a special place live, thus increasing property values and creating a demand for both residential and commercial properties. By protecting the existing investments and bringing in new investments the financial institutions they will see a healthier financial condition of the community.
Plans are underway to facilitate a community meeting within the next six to eight weeks to learn more about what the community would like to see accomplished through this effort. Local citizens are encouraged to let ORRE know what kind of shops they would like to see in the two centers and what they hope to see in the final project at The Alexander Inn. Community input will also be important in determining what name they would like to use for The Alexander Inn. Will it remain “The Alexander Inn”? Will it return to “The Guest House”? Or, maybe “The Alexander Guest House”?
The Design Committee is busy determining the exact boundaries of the district. Under the guidance of John Dolynchuk and Kristin Grove, they are working on design Charette ideas as they form their committee. With input from Kathryn Baldwin, representing the City of Oak Ridge, they intend to implement the bike and pedestrian paths already under consideration while being cognizant of plans CVB and ORHPA are discussing as they relate to the historic district as well as codes and zoning.
Howard Harvey is steadily working at the Alexander Inn. Howard coordinated the delivery of 300 plus tons of gravel donated by The Rogers Group, along with the 35 loads of gravel delivered by Robert McNabb and his grandsons. He also painted the sign outside to prepare it for Secret City Signs who has generously offered to print the sign for us. Howard can be found most days cleaning up debris and getting it ready for volunteers to begin hauling things out and filling up the dumpster donated by Junk Bee Gone. Diversified Electric along with the city will be putting in the temporary electric during the next week or so. S&R Insurance sent us a check to cover the commission they would have earned on D&O insurance.
Ann Jordan, Mark Harvey and Bill Cross are developing a plan to encourage other businesses to get involved in ORRE with financial commitments that will support the activities of the effort. Financial commitments provide a number of branding opportunities for local businesses. Already companies like Linda Brown Realty, CHP Consultants, New York Pizza, Serene Yoga & Fitness, Chuck’s Car Care, Visions of Anderson County and Turnkey Transportation have recognized the advantage of partnering with ORRE. We are certain that others will begin to see the advantage as well and we encourage them to give us a call to learn how they can help.
Barbara Ferrell and Mary Cox are working on upcoming events and recruiting volunteers to help with activities. If you are interested in being a part of this give us a call.
Ethiel Garlington, Knox Heritage is searching out grants that might help us along the way. Charlie Hensley has introduced us to Bill Nolan who is also helping us find ways that we might be able to benefit from available funding. ORHPA has kindly offered to sift through the paperwork and furnishings to determine what should be retained for its historical value. Bear Stevens will be asked to determine what items might be auctionable.
Martin Fischer is guiding the board in his own quiet style while Kate Groover is begging someone for something every single day. It seems that she starts every conversation off with “I don’t have any money but, I need…..”
Almost daily someone will stop by The Ferrell Shop to offering words of encouragement or to drop off a check. Sometimes it is for $25, sometimes it is for a few thousand. Ever dollar is appreciated. Plans are underway to start a capital campaign for $500,000 in the spring. The specifics have not been determined. This money will be used to pay off the Alexander Inn and to demolish the addition built in the 60’s that is totally deteriorated.
A few people have discovered the tiny little office where ORRE is headquartered in basement of The Ferrell Shop and stop in to say hello and give encouraging words. Everyone is welcome to stop by and get to know me. Just pop into the parking lot behind The Playhouse then go to the last door on the right. There is a small sign to guide you and, there’s a very good chance you will be greeted by a very friendly little dog who enjoys the treats many visitors bring. His favorite thing is yogurt drops or jerky.
There is a lot of work to do. It is the hope of ORRE that this will be a community effort and that the community will be proud of the results. So drop by, give us your thoughts, volunteer your time, make a donation, get involved in the future of Oak Ridge.
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