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]