Knoxville Business Journal reports Groves Park Commons Green Award

Oak Ridge Community Plan wins green award
By Larisa Brass

The recent recipient of a state planning award for outstanding green community wouldn't have been if developers had stuck with the orginal design for the Oak Ridge subdivision.

The drawings featured homes arranged side-by-side to fit the most homes possible on the 110-acre hillside property, said Walter Wise, a Knoxville developer and partner in Groves Park Commons.

"I said, 'Who would want to live in this jammed place?' We said, when you come out of your front door, every home has to feel special. When you come in you want a sense of arrival," he says.

In fact, Wise talks a lot less about the technical aspects of the green development than he does the quality of life he hopes to encourage with walking trails, open spaces, a pavilion and eventual retail shops. A video promoting the community shows tree-lined streets, river rock and lots of people outdoors.

"It's not designed around automobiles," Wise says. "It's designed for people."

[READ ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE]

Greater Knoxville Business Journal
www.knoxvillebiz.com

GPC Knoxville Business Journal January 2009

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Groves Park Commons - development update

Groves Park Commons

11/25/2008 Single Family Home, Town Home Construction and Final Road Preparation

Groves Park Development is in the final preparations for paving the roads.

Mike Stevens homes is making tremendous progress on the first two Single Family homes. The homes should be completed in 2008.

Christopoulos & Kennedy are now preparing the foundation for the first Townhomes. The framing should begin early next week!

If you would like to view the video of the final concept please visit this link:
http://www.grovesparkcommons.com/community_001.html

Groves Park Commons Construction Update

Halloween in Oak Ridge: Oak Ridge house decked out in all things scary

Knoxville News Sentinel

By Bob Fowler (Contact)

Friday, October 31, 2008

OAK RIDGE - All things spooky are on display outside a home in western Oak Ridge, and hundreds of people are expected to pay a visit tonight to what the neighbors call "the Holiday House."

Danny Scott, wife Melody and daughter Sierra, 8, go all-out when it comes to decorating for major holidays, but their Halloween efforts are the most elaborate and appreciated.
Eerie music wafts over a mock graveyard as witches fly overhead in the Scotts' front yard on Nebraska Avenue.

Goblins, ghosts and monsters dot the landscape. Motorists - even neighbors - slow down and gape at the glowing display.

(READ MORE HERE)

The Groves Park Commons plan is a leader in green initiatives

Press Release


Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon’s Community Plan for the Groves Park Commons, a Traditional Neighborhood Development, Receives the Outstanding Planning Award for a Green Development.

The Outstanding Planning Award for a Green Development is the first green award presented by TAPA. The judging panel selected BWSC as the recipient because, “The Groves Park Commons plan is a leader in green initiatives in Traditional Neighborhood Developments”

Oak Ridge, TN. September 25, 2008: The engineering firm of Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon (BWSC) received the Outstanding Green Community Award from the Tennessee Chapter of the American Planning Association (TAPA) in Johnson City, Tennessee. BWSC received the award in recognition of their community plan for the Groves Park Commons, a Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND), that utilizes a macro-green planning approach by focusing on an overall mixed use of land development and conservation.



The awards ceremony was held on Thursday, September 25th and was the culmination of TAPA’s annual three-day conference. Other awards presented were: Outstanding Award for a Plan, Outstanding Planning Award for a Project, Program or Tool, Outstanding Planning Award for Implementation, Planner of the Year, and the Lifetime Achievement Award.



The Outstanding Planning Award for a Green Development is the first green award presented by TAPA. The judging panel selected BWSC as the recipient because, “The Groves Park Commons plan is a leader in green initiatives in Traditional Neighborhood Developments. It serves as a benchmark and sends a message to other developers that you can have a quality development and still preserve as much as possible.” said Angie Charles, TAPA Awards Committee Chairman. Groves Park Commons developers Walter Wise, Bill Kennedy, Christos Christopoulos, and Terry Wheeler selected BWSC to design this project because of their experience in outstanding design of neighborhoods “As the developers, we are extremely proud of this award and feel like everyone’s hard work has really paid off. This award emphasizes the exact reason we selected BWSC; they are the best at what they do.”



Located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, the Groves Park Commons is a mixed-use development utilizing TND design principles in an environmentally sensitive manner. The plan includes a total of 300 single-family detached homes and town homes and provides a wide array of amenities: a community pool, a 67-acre common park area, two regulation sized soccer fields, and retail space. “There is a real movement in construction where energy conservation is paramount in the design. Components such as the use of bio-swales, a natural rainwater drainage system that keeps run-off out of storm drains and away from local rivers and water sources, site selection and orientation of the homes on the site to facilitate energy focus, converting a landfill into a park, being within a mile to shopping venues and allocating trails and sidewalks for pedestrian traffic and alternative transportation methods made it possible to win this award.” said Daniel Boutte, BWSC representative and landscape architect intern on the project. “We visited several developments similar to this across the southeast in order to see what worked and what didn’t. We’re not original thinkers, we’re just good copiers.” added Wise.



“I’ve heard it said that the theme of the TND is to take the best aspect of the site and give it to the public-- so everybody can enjoy it.” said Kathryn Baldwin, Community Director for the city of Oak Ridge. “Groves Park Commons does that. It’s an innovative new product that is full of fresh ideas. To be a successful community, you have to have something for everybody. A healthy community serves everyone’s needs. GPC is going to move us a long way towards meeting the needs for our diversified market. I’m proud of the planning profession in that they recognized something that had become a tidal wave trend and wanted to recognize a good job when they saw it.”

Groves Park Commons is now actively selling homes. For sales inquires please call Sharon Power, REALTOR® of Realty Executives at (865) 482-3232.

-#-

IMAGES FOR THIS PRESS RELEASE:
3-D Renderings:
http://www.pr.com/company-profile/image-gallery-c/46057-1341

Groves Park Commons Logo / Identity:
http://www.pr.com/company-profile/image-gallery-c/46057-1317

Groves Park Commons Master Plan:
http://www.pr.com/company-profile/image-gallery-item/46057-2727

ABOUT:
Groves Park Commons (http://www.grovesparkcommons.com/)
A Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) developed by partners Walter B. Wise, Terry Wheeler, Bill Kennedy, and Christos Christopoulos. Groves Park Commons – a Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) is a 325 housing unit community currently being constructed on the Old South Hills Golf Course site located at 795 Tuskegee Dr. Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Blog: (http://gpctnd.blogspot.com/)

Walter B. Wise (Groves Park Commons Developer / Partner)
Founder of MidPark Business Park in Knoxville. In business since 1957. There is not much that Mr. Wise has not built. (865) 588-5717

Christopoulos & Kennedy Construction (http://www.ckgcinc.com/) (Groves Park Commons Developer / Partner)
Strive to produce a product that they are proud to present to you. Christopoulos & Kennedy was incorporated in 1995. Prior to this, Bill and Christos both worked as estimators and project managers for a regional general contractor. The majority of their projects were comprised of large retail franchises. (865) 330-3541.

Terry Wheeler (http://www.tkwheelerjeweler.com/) (Groves Park Commons Developer / Partner)
Terry Wheeler has been serving the Oak Ridge community with quality jewelry for past 30 years. Mr. Wheeler also develops commercial and residential properties in East Tennessee. (865) 482-3131

Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon Inc. (http://www.bargewaggoner.com/)
Barge Waggoner Sumner & Canon, Inc. is a professional services firm with offices spread across the eastern half of the United States. In business since 1955, the company has been employee owned since 1970. A true multidiscipline firm, the company offers civil, structural, environmental, transportation, aviation, mechanical, and electrical engineering services, in addition to architecture, planning, landscape architecture and surveying.

Tennessee Chapter of the American Planning Association (TAPA) (http://www.tnapa.org/)
TAPA is the local chapter of the American Planning Association (APA). TAPA is committed to furthering the education of its members and offers classes and workshops, certifications and other training resources, as well as providing information on local legislation and planning events.

American Planning Association (APA) (http://www.planning.org/)
A non-profit public interest and research organization committed to urban, suburban, regional, and rural planning, APA and its professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners, advance the art and science of planning to meet the needs of people and society.

Oak Ridge Community Development (http://www.cortn.org/ComDev-html/commdev.asp)
The Community Development Department is comprised of the Planning Division and the Code Enforcement Division, and also provides support for the following boards and meetings: Site Review, Environmental Quality Advisory Board (EQAB), Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission (ORPC),
City Council action, Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA), Board of Building and Housing Code Appeals (BHC), Board of Plumbing Examiners (BPE), Board of Electrical Examiners (BEE),The Planning Division guides growth of the City through application of the: Comprehensive Plan and Housing Design Program, Zoning Ordinance, Sign Ordinance, Landscape and Design Standards Ordinance, Subdivision Regulations, Recommendations for Capital Improvements Program projects such as new or expanded City parks or ball fields, City schools, or major utility or road improvements.

Builders and Sales Information:
Single Family Homes
Mike Stevens Homes (http://www.mikestevenshomes.com/)
As the premier homebuilder in the greater Knoxville community, Mike Stevens Homes knows that each decision and choice you make is important to creating a home that is perfect for you and your family. Mike Stevens has brought together a talented staff with over 115 years of combined construction experience to produce beautiful homes with exceptional value.

Town Homes
Christopoulos & Kennedy Construction (http://www.ckgcinc.com/) (Groves Park Commons Developer / Partner)
Strive to produce a product that they are proud to present to you. Christopoulos & Kennedy was incorporated in 1995. Prior to this, Bill and Christos both worked as estimators and project managers for a regional general contractor. The majority of their projects were comprised of large retail franchises. (865) 330-3541.

REALTOR
Sharon Power (http://www.sharonpowerrealtor.com/)
Sharon Power of Realty Executives Associates in Oak Ridge Tennessee has been a REALTOR® since 1980. She has consistently been a top producer year after year with and is a Certified Residential Specialist. (865) 482-3232.


General Information:
Abacus Creative Management (http://www.abacuscreativemanagement.com/)
Business, Marketing, Sales and promotional planning. For more information on this press release or the Groves Park Commons please call (865)386-7860.

Real Estate Market Trends in Oak Ridge

According to the latest Zillow Real Estate Market Report, home values in Oak Ridge increased 0.30%% in the second quarter of 2008, compared to the second quarter of 2007. Nationally, home values decreased 9.9% during this same period.

Reason #99,996 why Oak Ridge is a great place to live! The Playhouse...

‘Wait Until Dark' keeps audience in the dark effectively
By by Becky Ball
The Oak Ridger
Posted Aug 25, 2008 @ 09:08 PM

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. —
No matter how you dial it, "M" for Murder, "S" for Suspense or "T" for Terror, what you'll get at the Oak Ridge Playhouse is a chilling mystery-suspense drama. Fredrick Knott's popular play, which also had a cinematic adaptation, opened Friday night, and lurking behind those curtains was a handful of actors, who led the audience into a frightening world of fear. If there's anything worse than a vicious villain, it's a vicious villain, who's part menacing and part humorous. If you know the play, you already know that the featured villain is of that sort. But we liked the head start Playhouse Director Reggie Law gave us in his opening remarks. Let's just say his dark sense of humor was memorable.

WBIR Reports: Oak Ridge's Jennifer Azzi to be inducted into WBHOF

WBIR Reports: Oak Ridge's Jennifer Azzi to be inducted into WBHOF

Former Oak Ridge basketball player Jennifer Azzi will be inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame next year. Azzi played college basketball at Stanford where she won the Wade Trophy and the Naismith player of the year award.

Azzi led Stanford to a national championship in 1990. It was played at Thompson-Boiling Arena that year. She also led USA to a gold medal in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

A total of six women make up the Class of 2009. They also include: Louisiana Tech and Baylor coach Sonja Hogg, former Southern California Trojan Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, former Mississippi star Jennifer Gillom, former Illinois State coach Jill Hutchison and black basketball legend Ora Washington.

The Class of 2009 will be inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville on June 13.

ORNL wins again in national R&D contest; 2nd only to GE

By Frank Munger / Knoxville News Sentinel
Originally published 11:02 a.m., July 1, 2008
Updated 11:02 a.m., July 1, 2008

Oak Ridge National Laboratory was associated with six of the year's top 100 technological innovations, according to awards announced by R&D Magazine.

ORNL won six R&D 100 Awards, bringing the lab's total to 140 since the magazine began the awards program 45 years ago. That's more than any of the other national labs and second overall to General Electric.

(read the entire article here)

Oak Ridge Playhouse - My Fair Lady

Beat the RUSH!

Get your tickets online NOW!

MY FAIR LADY

July 4-20

Priggish and arrogant Professor Henry Higgins bets a colleague that he can fool aristocrats into believing that a Cockney flower girl, Eliza Doolittle , is one of their own class by teaching her proper manners and speech with months of grueling phonetic training. True to his word, Eliza becomes the fair lady that the title of the show suggests. But, the one thing Higgins overlooks is that his creation has a mind of her own and ultimately she demands credit, as well, for her transformation.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE: >>>CLICK HERE

NOTE: This production suitable for general audiences.

Get a jump on good seating! Order Your Tickets Online NOW!

CLICK HERE to buy tickets online NOW

OR bucking housing trend

Developers looking toward future for city with a storied past
By Bob Fowler (Contact)Saturday, June 28, 2008

OAK RIDGE - Nationally, the economy is struggling, with housing starts down, foreclosures up, the stock market sinking like a rock and joblessness on the rise.

But in Oak Ridge, there are more than 5,000 housing units in the pipeline, or nearly half of the Atomic City's current 12,000 homes and apartments.

What's going on?

Developers sense there's an opportunity to grab a bigger share of residents from new hires at federal facilities in Oak Ridge, said Parker Hardy, president of the city's Chamber of Commerce.

"That's the challenge we have," he said. "That's the generational opportunity we must address."

Hardy said there are an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 employees at Department of Energy facilities in Oak Ridge or who work for DOE contractors that are either eligible to retire or will be soon.

The challenge, Hardy said, will be to convince those new hires - "that bubble in the hiring curve" - to live in Oak Ridge rather than Farragut or elsewhere.

There are hurdles in that game plan, officials acknowledge.

Oak Ridge is a city with an unusually large number of older residents.

It's burdened with a lingering nuclear legacy and the perception by some that the landscape is tainted with radioactive debris.

Faced with a stagnant retail environment, empty store fronts and the resulting lack of sales tax growth, there is intense pressure on an already high city property tax rate.

Officials are forecasting tax hikes of 12 cents a year for the next few years.

Still, some parts of the troubled national economy may work in favor of Oak Ridge's now-frenzied pace of housing development.

"High gas prices mean higher commuting costs, making it more attractive to live where you work," Hardy said.

There are 14 housing development projects under way or in the planning stage in Oak Ridge.
They range from $100,000 homes for up to 40 low-income families in the Scarboro community to $600,000-plus villas in a gated community called Rockbridge Green.

The biggest development, Rarity Ridge in deep west Oak Ridge, could have as many as 3,000 homes.

Developer Mike Ross recently acknowledged that the project is moving at a slower-than-expected pace.

Chamber statistics show there are 32 homes in Rarity Ridge and 44 units under construction.
Developers of Centennial Bluff, condominiums for residents age 50 and older, report they've already had brisk sales even before construction begins.

That "lifestyle community" with about 400 units will be at Edgemoor Road and Melton Lake Drive.

The latest developers to showcase plans amid much fanfare Thursday were the parties behind Groves Park Commons.

That 325-unit project bills itself as a "traditional neighborhood development" and is taking shape off Tuskegee Drive on the former South Hills Golf Course.

Prices will range from $250,000 to $490,000, and the development will feature a commons area, walking trails and lakes.

"So far, all the doors have opened," said developer Walter Wise of the efforts to date. "I'm very excited about this."

Timing may play a crucial role in the ultimate success of the new homes that are projected to be under construction soon in Oak Ridge, Hardy said.

Developers are doing what he called the "horizontal" work for their projects. They're putting in streets, sidewalks and utilities.

By the time their new homes come on line, the national economy may be on the rebound.
"When the market strengthens, we can be ready," he said.

Bob Fowler, News Sentinel Anderson County editor, may be reached at 865-481-3625.

Two plans, one future

Two plans, one future
Officials celebrate new housing projects

By John Huotari john.huotari@oakridger.com
The Oak Ridger
Posted Jun 26, 2008 @ 09:00 PM

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. —
The heart of Oak Ridge seems to be booming — at least when it comes to home construction.Last month, developers Ray Evans and Len Hart had a ground-breaking ceremony for a new 50-home development on about 26 acres off Tempura Drive.

Then, on Thursday, local officials, nonprofit volunteers, business leaders and developers had a ground-breaking ceremony for a residential project in Scarboro and a community celebration for another one on the west side of the neighborhood.More than 100 people turned out for the second event, designed to offer a preview of the development at Groves Park Commons on Tuskegee Drive.

(more)

Famed Manhattan Project photog honored with DOE award, key to the city

By John Huotari john.huotari@oakridger.com
The Oak Ridger
Posted Jun 19, 2008 @ 09:00 AM
OAK RIDGE, Tenn. —

It was probably fitting that at least five photographers were snapping photographs at a Tuesday reception honoring renowned Oak Ridge resident James Edward "Ed" Westcott.Westcott was the federal government's official photographer in Oak Ridge during the top-secret Manhattan Project, a program to develop atomic weapons during World War II.

(read the entire article here)

Heads Above the Crowd

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. —
Sophomore Summer Niles of Rockwood has received the Roane State Community College Academic Vice President's ETSU Scholarship Award.The award provides $3,000 annually ($1,500 per semester) toward the cost of attending East Tennessee State University.
[READ THE REST IN THE OAK RIDGER HERE]

Knoxville-Oak Ridge Innovation Valley Lands $26 Million Biofuels Grant

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., May 8 --The Knoxville-Oak Ridge Innovation Valley has taken another leap forward in the race to build a sustainable biofuels industry with the announcement that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded a $26 million grant for a one-tenth scale cellulosic ethanol facility here.

[READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE ON THE SUN HERLAD WEBSITE]

You have to love the Oak Ridge School System!

JMS students sweep math competition

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. —
The future Einsteins and Newtons of the world could one day look back on their grade school education and fondly credit an East Tennessee-based math competition with encouraging their success. The idea that a little friendly competition among classmates might inspire more students to pursue careers in science, mathematics, engineering and technology (STEM) fields is exactly what organizers of the Tennessee Middle School Math Bowl are aiming to achieve.

East Tennessee students participated in both team and individual competitions. The top three overall team winners at each grade level were:

Sixth grade: Jefferson Middle School (Oak Ridge);
Seventh grade: Greenway School (Knoxville);
Eighth grade: Jefferson Middle School (Oak Ridge)

[Read the entire article on the Oak Ridger website here]

We should go for a walk - THIRTEEN POINTS OF TRADITIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT

THE THIRTEEN POINTS OF TRADITIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT

Developed By: Andres Duany & Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk Architects, Inc. (DPZ)

The social and environmental benefits of a Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) result from certain physical and organizational characteristics. An authentic Neighborhood includes most of the following:

1. The Neighborhood has a discernible center. This is often a square or green, and sometimes a busy or memorable street intersection. A transit stop would be located at this center.

2. Most of the dwellings are within a five-minute walk of the center. This distance averages one-quarter of a mile.

3. There is a variety of dwelling types within the Neighborhood. These usually take the form of houses, rowhouses, and apartments, such that younger and older people, singles and families, the poor and the wealthy, may find places to live.

4. There are shops and offices at the edge of the Neighborhood. The shops should be sufficiently varied to supply the weekly needs of a household. A convenience store is the most important among them.

5. A small ancillary building is permitted within the backyard of each house. It may be used as one rental unit, or as a place to work.

6. There is an elementary school close enough so that most children can walk from their dwelling. This distance should not be more than one mile.

7. There are small playgrounds quite near every dwelling. This distance should not be more than one-eighth of a mile.

8. The streets within the Neighborhood are a connected network. This provides a variety of itineraries and disperses traffic congestion.

9. The streets are relatively narrow and shaded by rows of trees. This slows down the traffic, creating an environment for the pedestrian and the bicycle.

10. Buildings at the Neighborhood center are placed close to the street. This creates a strong sense of place.

11. Parking lots and garage doors rarely enfront the streets. Parking is relegated to the rear of the buildings, usually accessed by alleys.

12. Certain prominent sites are reserved for civic buildings. Buildings for meeting, education, religion, or culture are located at the termination of the street vistas or at the Neighborhood center.

13. The Neighborhood is organized to be self-governing. A formal association debates and decides on matters of maintenance, security and physical change.

Groves Park Commons

Traditional Neighborhood Development

located at795 Tuskegee Dr. Oak Ridge, TN 37830

For more information contact:
Sharon Power, REALTOR®REALTY EXECUTIVES ASSOCIATESGPC

Sales office: (865) 482-8949REALTOR® office: (865) 482-3232

web: http://www.grovesparkcommons.com/

blog: http: http://gpctnd.blogspot.com/

new 'n' improved WBIR.com

Friends, family, countrymen...


Tonight at midnight, we launch the new 'n' improved WBIR.com. We're all working feverishly to get it up and running, and you can check it out here: beta.wbir.com

I have a special request for those of you who are willing. I'd love to get some discussions underway in our new WBIR.com forums, which I am still building out.

So if you get a minute, pop on over to the WBIR Online Community right
here: http://beta.wbir.com/life/community/forums.aspx

Register (which you do at the top of the page where it says "become a
member") and do some talking. I know you all are good at that.

It's my task to get the forums up and running, and any help you want to give me with getting the conversation going will be most appreciated.

Thanks!

Katie

Home plans unveiled for Groves Park Commons Traditional Neighborhood Development

Builder Mike Stevens and partner Jon Stevens announce home plan designs for the Groves Park Commons Traditional Neighborhood Development.

Oak Ridge, TN. April 28, 2008: Developers of the Groves Park Commons are pleased to announce builder Mike Stevens and his partner and project manager, Jon Stevens, have completed the commission of six innovative Carriage home designs. These unique homes and their variations were designed and are the copyrighted work of Jerry Eschman Custom Home Designs. Mike Stevens Homes, Inc. is considered one of the premier/experienced builders of Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) homes in East Tennessee. The home designs and floor plans can be viewed on the Groves Park Commons website, http://www.grovesparkcommons.com/.

In February 2008, Stevens and the developers of The Groves Park Commons joined forces in creating this Traditional Neighborhood Development located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, after all parties discovered a mutual concern for and regard of the importance of research in new urbanism community developments. Walter Wise, the primary visionary behind the project, says of Stevens, “Anyone can build a home on a small footprint, but not anyone can build on a small footprint and maintain the home features today’s families demand. Mike and his team have somehow managed to get all that right- aesthetics, space, functionality, and privacy. The design encourages community and family. When I saw his homes, I knew he was the builder for us. His extremely well thought out details are what make his homes genius.”

Mike Stevens and Jerry Eschman together have been researching Traditional Neighborhood Developments over the last 15 years. They have made it a point to visit as many TND’s as possible. When it comes to the exterior design of Groves Park Commons, Stevens likes to borrow a line from English philosopher George Moore, “A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it.“ All of the home designs have been inspired by the local architecture of East Tennessee. Stevens says, “The beauty of using the local architecture is the homes immediately blend into the community and instantly give a person that comfortable feeling of being at home.” Stevens also explains one of their techniques in building on a small footprint and still providing privacy. Each of the homes has its own courtyard. He refers to the wall from the home that opens up to the courtyard as a “light wall”. The light wall is a quite literal name. This wall of the house gets its primary outdoor light from a “wall” of doors, large windows, etc. that open to a courtyard. He calls the neighboring structure’s wall that is adjacent to the aforementioned courtyard the “dark wall”. This wall has transient windows set high (above eye level) to allow light into the adjacent home, while lending the courtyard privacy. Stevens also explains one of the more popular known facts of a Traditional Neighborhood Development is it must be designed to be a walking community. With this goal in mind, Stevens has required the design of all of the homes to situate the less attractive aspects of home, such as the garages, trash receptacles and utilities, in the back alleyways - thus keeping the front of the homes neat, clean, and beautiful.

Mike Stevens will be building three basic categories of homes for the Groves Park Commons Development. The three types are Estate Homes, Carriage Homes and Cottage Homes. Estate Homes are essentially custom homes over 3,200 square feet. The Carriage homes will be 2,200 to 3,200 square feet and the Cottage Homes will be 1,600 to 2,200 square feet. The floor plans for the Carriage Homes are now complete and available on the Groves Park Commons website. Jerry Eschman Custom Home Designs is scheduled to finish the floor plans for the Cottage homes in May of 2008. Builders Christopoulos & Kennedy will be completing plans for Townhomes designed by Architectural firm Brewer, Ingram, Fuller in late Spring 2008.

Wise is careful to see this neighborhood adheres to all principle design and layout elements of a TND, such as a mandatory requirement for a certain square footage area of communal green space. In fact, Wise increased the already generous required allotment to further embrace the vision. Of this meticulous attention to detail, Wise reflects, “We want to create Oak Ridge’s own little utopia.”

The 325 housing unit development named, “Groves Park Commons” is being constructed on the Old South Hills Golf Course site located at 795 Tuskegee Dr., Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Phase One of the three phase project is underway now, with the expectation that the approximately one hundred units of single family homes and townhomes are to be completed over the next two years.

Groves Park Commons is now actively selling homes. For sales inquires please call Sharon Power, REALTOR® of Realty Executives at (865) 482-3232.

Home rendering by Thomas Payne

A quote I like

A house is made of walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams

Yikes - Did you see the oil prices this morning?

Nymex Crude Futures Rocket Past $115
International Oil Daily (Thursday, April 17, 2008)Crude prices took another step into uncharted territory Wednesday, hitting yet another all-time high. A weaker dollar and a surprise drawdown in US crude inventories sent Nymex crude futures to a new intraday record of $115.07 per barrel just before the close of floor trading.

[More on Oil Prices here]

[Groves Park Commons Information here]

The Groves Park Commons website has been updated with TND Home Builder Mike Stevens floor plans and pricing. These homes are AMAZING!

Oak Ridge's Keith McDaniel goes hollywood...again!

The Oak Ridge community is full of talent and opportunity. Keith McDaniels is a stellar example consistenly producing and directing award winning films as well as being an amazing performing artist. Recently Keith McDaniels teamed up with director film maker Brooks Benjamin to create, "Boys of Summerville". East Tennessee's very own David Keith even got involved in this one.

Knoxville News Sentinel reports:

Homegrown indie film ready for red carpet
By Betsy Pickle (Contact)Sunday, April 13, 2008

When Brooks Benjamin was shooting "Boys of Summerville" last June in his hometown of Kingston and nearby Harriman, Rockwood, Oak Ridge, Alcoa and Maryville, he was thinking of green outfields, not red carpets.

But Thursday night, Benjamin and his cast and crew will get the Regal treatment when "Boys of Summerville" has its premiere at 7 p.m. at Regal Cinemas' Downtown West theater.

Benjamin, a filmmaker who earns a living as a schoolteacher, had met Regal's Ted Hatfield, director of film marketing, and Jon Douglas, alternative film marketing manager, when he was trying to promote his first independent film, the thriller "Point of Fear." He sent them the trailer for "Boys of Summerville" in hopes of receiving feedback.

[READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE]

Oak Ridge, The New Sring Break

Crew trains in Tennessee
Team spends spring break in Oak Ridge, Tenn.
Kate Neri
Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: Sports

Every year Skidmore's crew team travels down south for spring break. They don't go as far south as Florida, as many Spring Breakers do; instead they make Tennessee their home for the week. The men and women's teams travel to Oak Ridge, Tennessee for a week of training.

This year the teams stayed at a hotel with close quarters to allow for an optimal team bonding experience. Each day the team had three practices. The first began early in the morning, and although the training aspect of the trip is grueling, the overall consensus from the coach and the captains is that the trip was a success.

[READ MORE HERE]

Koxville News Sentinel Reports on the Southern Appalachian Science and Engineering Fair

Yearly science fair features sister act

Family's beekeeping leads to prizes for two siblings
By J.J. Stambaugh (Contact)Friday, April 4, 2008

An Oak Ridge family's beekeeping led to two sisters taking home prizes Thursday in the 56th Annual Southern Appalachian Science and Engineering Fair.

Elizabeth Sloop, 12, who took home first-place honors in the Junior Division, and her 17-year-old sister, Katharine Sloop, who won second place in the senior division, were inspired by their family's beehives to come up with scientific projects that help illuminate the natural world.

The annual fair was held at Thompson-Boling Arena on the University of Tennessee campus this week and drew hundreds of contestants, judges and onlookers to check out science projects created by students throughout East Tennessee.

[READ THE ENTIRE STORY HERE]

Knoxville News Sentinel reports on: Groves Park Commons

Groves Park Commons being built on former Oak Ridge golf course

Friday, March 28, 2008

Knoxville — A new Traditional Neighborhood Development is being constructed on the Old South Hills Golf Course site in Oak Ridge.
Groves Park Commons will offer 325 housing units at 795 Tuskegee Drive. The first of three phases is under way. It will offer about 100 single-family homes and townhomes over the next two years.

[READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN THE KNOXVILLE NEWS SENTINEL HERE]

One hour, America. Earth Hour. Turn out for Earth Hour!

On March 29, 2008 at 8 p.m., join millions of people around the world in making a statement about climate change by turning off your lights for Earth Hour, an event created by the World Wildlife Fund.



Earth Hour was created by WWF in Sydney, Australia in 2007, and in one year has grown from an event in one city to a global movement. In 2008, millions of people, businesses, governments and civic organizations in nearly 200 cities around the globe will turn out for Earth Hour. More than 100 cities across North America will participate, including the US flagships–Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix and San Francisco and Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.

We invite everyone throughout North America and around the world to turn off the lights for an hour starting at 8 p.m. (your own local time)–whether at home or at work, with friends and family or solo, in a big city or a small town.

What will you do when the lights are off? We have lots of ideas.
Join people all around the world in showing that you care about our planet and want to play a part in helping to fight climate change. Don’t forget to sign up and let us know you want to join Earth Hour.

One hour, America. Earth Hour. Turn out for Earth Hour!

[CLICK HERE FOR EARTH HOUR WEBSITE]

Want to know more about Oak Ridge Tennessee?

If you are exploring great places to live and or visit you need to take a look at the Oak Ridge Convention and visitors Bureau website. As you can imagine the site covers everything from A to Z.

[CLICK HERE TO JET OFF TO THE WEBSITE]

ROW2K Commentary: Destination Spring Break: Oak Ridge

Commentary

Destination Spring Break: Oak Ridge

by Janit Stahl posted on March 27, 2008

The pilgrimage to Melton Hill Lake in Oak Ridge, Tennessee made sense for crews across the country this year. As the northern-most of the southern-ish training locales, many teams rolled into town a few hours earlier than expected, followed the plentiful signs to the venue, and still had time for the Waffle House after unloading the trailer.

[READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE]

Metro Pulse Commentary: Old Urbanism, "Encouraging community on the fairway or by the expressway

Commentary

Old Urbanism

Encouraging community on the fairway or by the expressway

Ordinarily, I don’t follow the news out of Oak Ridge, so if a friend hadn’t sent me a link to the article in the Oak Ridger, I might have missed out on a rather interesting development. A group of developers, according to the article, is about to build a residential community on The Atomic City’s old South Hills golf course. But the real surprising part is that, rather than build a few high-dollar houses overlooking the bunkers, greens, and tees, they’re getting rid of the golf course altogether. In its place, they’re laying out a traditional neighborhood development along New Urbanist principles, mixing a dense grid of single-family homes and townhouses around a small commercial core. And, while the old-fashioned, dense development model does leave a large amount of the site as open green and recreational space, there’s not, best I read the plans, so much as a par four in sight.

[READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE]

The City of Oak Ridge is a great place to Live : A Message From Mayor Tom Beehan

A Message From Mayor Tom Beehan

Welcome to Oak Ridge, the 17th largest city in Tennessee and home of 27,387 wonderful folks! Oak Ridge's rich history began in September 1942 when a 60,000-acre section of Anderson and Roane counties was selected to become a vast, complex and secret part of the Manhattan Project. New York-based Skidmore, Owings and Merrill was hired to literally design and supervise construction of our entire original town (streets, schools, utilities, houses, etc.) from scratch! The required workforce - construction workers, engineers, scientists, skilled craftspeople, teachers, and many others - brought their families to Oak Ridge from throughout the United States. This blending of people, ideas and cultures made Oak Ridge a wonderful city in which to live, a trend that continues to the present day!

[READ MORE ON THE CITY OF OAK RIDGE WEBSITE HERE]

Groves Park Commons Master Plan

The Groves Park Commons Master plan.

I think you will love the ample green spaces and gathering places. The development has a wonderful flow and is designed to slow traffic down - ensuring safety for your kids and a relaxing walk anytime of the day.

You can dowload this image [HERE]

Traditional Neighborhood Development located in Oak Ridge Tennessee.

Now selling Single Family Homes, Custom Units, and Townhouses.

For more information call

Sharon Power, REALTOR®

GPC Sales office: (865) 482-8949

REALTOR® office: (865) 482-3232

http://www.grovesparkcommons.com/

The Oak Ridger Reports on The Groves Park Commons

Story last updated at 11:50 am on 3/19/2008

Construction of
Groves Park Commons
announced

The Oak Ridger

Walter B. Wise and partners, Terry Wheeler, Bill Kennedy, Christos Christopoulos and builder Mike Stevens, announced the launch of the Groves Park Commons, a traditional neighborhood development, or TND, at a recent developers’ forum meeting at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce.
[READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE]
For more information please Contact:
Sharon Power, Realty Executives, at (865) 482-3232.
or visit http://www.grovesparkcommons.com/

Groves Park Commons Large sign Design & Production

The Groves Park Commons sign is almost complete. I think the production process is fascinating.

Our sign is being produced of fabric to give it a real organic feel. We will build a frame for it and stretch the canvas... much like a painting.

Final Design 1

Sharon Power REALTOR sign in the paint 2 & 3

The Groves Park Commons Main sign in production

Happy Birthday - Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein (German: IPA: [ˈalbɐt ˈaɪ̯nʃtaɪ̯n] (Audio file) (help·info); English: IPA: /ˈælbɝt ˈaɪnstaɪn/) (March 14, 1879 – April 18, 1955) was a German-born theoretical physicist. He is best known for his theory of relativity and specifically mass-energy equivalence, E = mc2. Einstein received the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics "for his services to Theoretical Physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect."[1]

[MORE ON WIKIPEDIA]

Knoxville News Sentinel: "Will Oak Ridge adapt to first-game heat?"

Will Oak Ridge adapt to first-game heat? Oak Ridge High School boys' basketball coach Ricky Norris will set his eyes early on one thing in particular when his team tips off at 3 p.m. EST today inside Middle Tennessee State's Murphy Center against White Station - who adjusts first. http://knoxnews.com/news/2008/mar/13/will-oak-ridge-adapt-to-first-game-heat/
13 March 2008

Groves Park Commons Breaks Ground

Press Release

Construction of Groves Park Commons - a Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) - Announced at the Oak Ridge Developer’s Forum Meeting.

Walter B. Wise and partners, Terry Wheeler, Bill Kennedy, Christos Christopoulos and builder Mike Stevens, announce the launch of the Groves Park Commons Traditional Neighborhood Development at the Developers Forum Meeting at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce.

Oak Ridge, TN. March 6, 2008: Walter B. Wise and partners, Terry Wheeler, Bill Kennedy, Christos Christopoulos, along with builder Mike Stevens and his partner and project manager Jon Stevens, announced during the Developer’s Forum Meeting at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, the launch of their most recent joint project, Groves Park Commons – a Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND). The 325 housing unit development named, “Groves Park Commons” is being constructed on the Old South Hills Golf Course site located at 795 Tuskegee Dr. Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Phase One of the three phase project is underway now, with the expectation that approximately one hundred units consisting of Single Family Homes and Townhouses and are to be completed over the next two years. Groves Park Commons development will be among the first mixed usage (residential and commercial) neighborhood in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where the demand for new median priced housing remains strong.

At the request of Kathryn G. Baldwin, Director of Community Development for the City of Oak Ridge, The Grove Park Common’s Project Team was given the honor of presenting the principles of a Traditional Neighborhood Development. Parker Hardy, President of the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, hosted the Developer’s Forum specifically for this special question and answer session attended by city officials, architects, developers and realtors.

Walter B. Wise, the visionary of the Groves Park Commons Traditional Neighborhood Development project, led the discussion, describing the current trend in development of housing communities and how his vision evolved into the Groves Park Common’s TND. Intrigued by the idea of building a neighborhood that is designed to encourage community, Mr. Wise went back to his roots growing up on Magnolia Avenue in Knoxville, Tennessee. Design of the Groves Park Commons is very much reflective of times when families gathered on the front porches of their home and visited with their neighbors who strolled the sidewalk lined streets. Groves Park Commons adheres to the fundamental rules of quality TND design, utilizing green spaces throughout the neighborhood to encourage residents to gather and congregate. Walter B. Wise commented, “A well designed Traditional Neighborhood Community will promote healthy lifestyles on many levels – physical, mental and environmental. How can you go wrong with that?”

Mike Stevens, considered the leading expert in Traditional Neighborhood Developments in East Tennessee, followed up the discussion with the evolution of housing communities in the United States from Post WWII to the current needs of today. Mr. Stevens closed the discussion with specific architectural details that will enhance the TND and indigenously meld it with its specific community surroundings. Mr. Stevens says, “A TND accomplishes so much of what we as a society desperately need. By the very nature of the design of the homes and the community, it naturally brings residents together and instills a sense of belonging. As architects we really needed to think through the smaller footprints as dictated by TND design. Dark and light wall concepts are critical, creating a sense of privacy between homes that utilize more urban spacing. Further, we keep the fronts charming and unobstructed by moving the necessities and not so pretty items in the back alley ways such as utility meters, garage doors, trash receptacles, and mailboxes.” Mr. Stevens builds modern homes that fit perfectly in East Tennessee and bring character and charm back to home design by incorporating the beautiful details of the homes from the original neighborhoods in this region. When you walk down a street that has been built by Mike Stevens, you get a feeling of “deja vu”. You find homes that were inspired by the original neighborhoods of Island Home, North Hills, and Magnolia Avenue. Mr. Stevens builds homes that fit today’s lifestyle with “feel good” aesthetics of yesterday.

Groves Park Commons is a residential development that is now actively selling homes and floor plans. For sales inquires please call Sharon Power, REALTOR® of Realty Executives at (865) 482-3232.

- # -
ABOUT:
Groves Park Commons (http://www.grovesparkcommons.com/) a Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) developed by partners Walter B. Wise, Terry Wheeler, Bill Kennedy, and Christos Christopoulos. Groves Park Commons – a Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) is a 325 housing unit community currently being constructed on the Old South Hills Golf Course site located at 795 Tuskegee Dr. Oak Ridge, TN 37830.

Walter B. Wise – Founder of MidPark construction located 1709 MidPark Drive
Suite A-2, Knoxville, TN 37921. There is not much that Mr. Wise has not built. (865) 588-5717

Christopoulos & Kennedy Construction (http://www.ckgcinc.com/) strive to produce a product that they are proud to present to you. Christopoulos & Kennedy was incorporated in 1995. Prior to this, Bill and Christos both worked as estimators and project managers for a regional general contractor. The majority of their projects were comprised of large retail franchises. (865) 330-3541.

Terry Wheeler (http://www.tkwheelerjeweler.com/) Terry Wheeler has been serving the Oak Ridge community with quality Jewelry for past 30 years. Mr. Wheeler also develops commercial and residential properties in East Tennessee. (865) 482-3131

Mike Stevens Homes (http://www.mikestevenshomes.com/) As the premier homebuilder in the greater Knoxville community, Mike Stevens Homes knows that each decision and choice you make is important to creating a home that is perfect for you and your family. Mike Stevens has brought together a talented staff with over 115 years of combined construction experience to produce beautiful homes with exceptional value.

Sharon Power (http://www.sharonpowerrealtor.com/): Sharon Power of Realty Executives Associates in Oak Ridge Tennessee has been a REALTOR® since 1980. She has consistently been a top producer year after year with and is a Certified Residential Specialist. (865) 482-3232.

Oak Ridge Developers Forum: Chairman, Eugene Lackey (865) 435-7663

Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce (http://www.orcc.org/)
The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce is an accredited chamber of commerce with approximately 700 members. Its mission is to enhance the economic vitality of the greater Oak Ridge area while providing value to its members.

Oak Ridge Community Development (http://www.cortn.org/ComDev-html/commdev.asp)
The Community Development Department is comprised of the Planning Division and the Code Enforcement Division, and also provides support for the following boards and meetings: Site Review, Environmental Quality Advisory Board (EQAB), Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission (ORPC),
City Council action, Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA), Board of Building and Housing Code Appeals (BHC), Board of Plumbing Examiners (BPE), Board of Electrical Examiners (BEE),The Planning Division guides growth of the City through application of the: Comprehensive Plan and Housing Design Program, Zoning Ordinance, Sign Ordinance, Landscape and Design Standards Ordinance, Subdivision Regulations, Recommendations for Capital Improvements Program projects such as new or expanded City parks or ball fields, City schools, or major utility or road improvements.
Abacus Creative Management (http://www.abacuscreativemanagement.com/) Business, Marketing, Sales and promotional planning. For more information on this press release or the Groves Park Commons please call (865)386-7860.






Contact: Terry Wheeler
Groves Park Commons
Phone (865) 482-3131
795 Tuskegee Dr.
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Phone (865) 482-8949
www.grovesparkcommons.com

Knoxville News Sentinel reports on: Oak Ridge High School Students

Cutting-edge coursework lets OR students design their future
High-tech graphics lab helps sharpen talents, job skills
By Bob Fowler (Contact)Monday, March 10, 2008

OAK RIDGE - Using cutting-edge software and top-end computers, two high school teams are engaged in a fierce branding battle to upstage Starbucks.
The student squads are creating corporate identities for two fictional coffee shop chains.
One is named "MocaTopia," and the other is "GrindHouse."
They've come up with posters, logos, carryout boxes and other ways to lure customers to their brands.

[READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE]

A Sign

I think this is going to be our construction sign. Leave a comment and let us know what you think.

Groves Park Commons

Traditional Neighborhood Development located in Oak Ridge Tennessee.

Now selling lots for Single Family Homes, Custom Units, Condos and Townhouses.

For more information call
Sharon Power, REALTOR®
GPC Sales office: (865) 482-8949
REALTOR® office: (865) 482-3232

sharon@grovesparkcommons.com

795 Tuskegee Dr. Oak Ridge, TN 37830

N 35° 59.493’
W 084° 16.449’

Frank Munger's, "Atomic City Underground" reports: Oak Ridge wins Science Bowl

No surprise! Oak Ridge wins Science Bowl

Congratulations to the Oak Ridge High team that over the weekend won the Tennessee Science Bowl, defeating 53 other teams. The winning team members were Rowan Crakovmakos, Woody Austin, Ryan Liu, Katherine Xue and Alborz Bejnood. Eddie Anderson was the coach.
The ORHS team will represent the state in the National Science Bowl, which will be held in Washington in early May.

You can find more on the Tennessee Science Bowl [HERE]

The Atomic Underground blog can be found [HERE]

Secret City Festival

One more great reason to make Oak Ridge Tennessee your home

Secret City Festival:East Tennessee's Premiere Summer Event

Join us for the annual Secret City Festival, June 20 - 21, 2008 - winner of the Southeast Tourism Society's 2007 Festival of the Year Shining Example Award!

Now Selling Lots!

Contact Sharon Power

Phone: (865) 482-3232

Email: Sharon@grovesparkcommons.com

Knoxville News Sentinel Reports on: Spin Masters: Oak Ridge's vast knowledge of centrifuge technology helps enrich U.S. energy company

Oak Ridge is an amazing city with amazing people. Today the Knoxville News Sentinel reports on some incredible technology developed in Oak Ridge.

Spin Masters: Oak Ridge's vast knowledge of centrifuge technology helps enrich U.S. energy company

The lone American company in the uranium-enrichment business is betting its future on a 50-year-old technology developed in Oak Ridge.In support of its multibillion-dollar American Centrifuge Plant, under construction in Ohio, USEC Inc. is tapping some of the same Atomic City expertise that helped develop the centrifuge program, hiring Oak Ridge National Laboratory retirees and enlisting the lab in the largest cooperative research and development agreement in ORNL's history."ORNL sees this as the most important tech transfer program since Atoms for Peace," said Wayne Manges, manager of ORNL's Centrifuge Technology Program, referring to the 1950s-era effort to find peaceful uses for nuclear technology.


[CLICK TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE]

Groves Park Commons

Groves Park Commons is a TND currently being developed in Oak Ridge Tennnessee.

Although we are just getting started we would be happy to answer any questions we can.

For information call:

Sharon Power /Realty Executives Associates
(865) 482-3232
sharonpower@comcast.net