Oak Ridge North City Council discusses master capital project plan

The Oak Ridge North City Council on June 12 continued its discussion of projects to be included in its master capital project plan, such as a new public works building. The council is working to obtain a loan from the Oak Ridge North Economic Development Corp., which is funded by sales tax revenue, to fund its capital improvement projects.

The plan will include water, sewage, drainage, street, sidewalk and park projects, according to the City Council.

As previously reported by Community Impact Newspaper, the loan will include funding for a new city public works facility, which will cost approximately $2 million-$2.5 million, according to city officials.

In addition, the plan will include funding to update Teddy Bear Park, located at 27207 Robinson Road, Oak Ridge North, officials said. The updates will include new play structures, benches, picnic tables, swings and an LED sign. The park updates will cost roughly $200,000, according to documents provided by the city manager.

Funding obtained for the master capital plan will fund projects for the next three to five years, according to the council.

“We need to decide what projects are a priority to us, and when we know that, then we will have an idea on roughly how much money we need,” Council Member Alex Jones said.

According to the council, funding will primarily come from a loan obtained from the EDC. The EDC is a nonprofit citizen volunteer group funded by $0.005 of dedicated sales tax, according to the organization's website. Its goal includes attracting and promoting business to the city, according to the organization.

Also at its June 12 meeting, the City Council voted to sell six city vehicles to offset the cost of new equipment, including a dump truck. The council also approved a payment of $40,567.50 for construction planned at Woodson and Blueberry Hill roads.