Hey, what about if we don’t do the Target at Pine Ridge?
March 14th, 2007 by Atomictumor
Edit: 3:01 PM - According to big Jim O’Connor, city manager for this great city of Oak Ridge, the place in the proceeding post is unsuitable, citing “due to access and wetlands there was not enough developable land left.” Nice try, Bob Monday, but stick to washing cars.
OK, after my rant regarding the nature of people throwing down referendums for reasons that appear self serving, I have been made aware of a reason why we shouldn’t all jump to conclusions on things.
According to Ellen Smith, one of them wild referendum rabble-rousers and fellow troublemaker-at-large, there are other opportunities for Target or another big box developer to locate. In fact, a letter to the Oak Ridger she pointed out written by Bob Monday indicates that theres 40 odd acres of much easier-to-develop land just waiting for the taking down behind Dean Stallings Ford, on S. Illinois, that on a cursory glance may be more suitable.
The caveat here is that it looks to be much smaller than the gigantic Pine Ridge undertaking, and wouldn’t be able to support as many businesses, so a Supertarget or whatever wouldn’t have as many friends.
However, the upside to the thing is that projected (and, granted, the sources here are somewhat unverified, but who believes what you read on the internet anyway, right?) costs would be a tenth of what the Crestpointe deal would be. No bond would be required, alleviating the referendum issue, and making everybody but the jackass who leveled Pine Ridge happy.
Whats interesting is that in the mighty big push, which, admittedly, I got caught up in, to develop this puppy at Pine Ridge, other avenues of development were ignored. Sure, everybody pointed out the empty buildings in town, which by and large would be unusable (the food city buildings on Illinois and here in the East end would be way too small, face it), but nobody paid much attention to this other spot of land, in the same neck of the woods.
Interesting.
So, what have we learned here, AT?
Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I like ranting at people and making problems.
And I like saying Referendums.
Whatchu gonna do about it, internet?
March 14th, 2007 at 11:02 am
Referenda.
March 14th, 2007 at 11:14 am
Referen-duh?
March 14th, 2007 at 11:28 am
Duh!
March 14th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Hippy.
March 14th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
Hippie.
March 14th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
Referendum smokin’ hippy.
March 14th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
Heh.
March 14th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
…but stick to washing cars. nice!
March 14th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
Ranting — it is what us Gen X’er are around for — to keep the boomers in line. Besides the Y Generation are already saying that we screwed up their lives — it seems that shit travels backwards.
tg
March 14th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
Boomers, dadgum boomers…
March 15th, 2007 at 1:35 am
It that a referenda or referenDUMB? Some folks just don’t get it. Could the Oak Ridgers be holding out for a Walmart..or do you have one already? They tend to be a bit cheaper than Target. The “historical preservers” in our town…Dahlonega, GA, are always concern with how high the signs are in front of any new business. Seems like they would be more concerned about the trash that line both sides of the highways coming in and out of our fair little town. Where are our “inmates” when we need them? But, with that said, we do have a Walmart!! and Home Depot, too!! AT..some of you folks need to get into city/county politics!!Jake hope your little guys enjoy their spring break. We love you..Love Your Auntie BECK
March 15th, 2007 at 9:00 am
“Boomers, dadgum boomers’
Maybe a parent near you. Us boomers are the best educated, most open minded folks in the Common Era. Well except for the few that don’t want to do this deal.
March 15th, 2007 at 9:29 am
Wetland? Seriously? How does that work since Pine Ridge is a uh Ridge? Tis unfortunate indeed.
March 15th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
I thought a wetlands implied something that collects water and has green stuff like trees and lily pads. The only thing I see in the pictures are bald hills. Turkey creek was a wet lands area and look what a fine place it is turning out to be — oh, little know fact, some of the buildings in TC are sinking because, well it was on a wetlands and they are wet and they are land that is wet.
Yeah, those boomers — lost their virginity at woodstock and sold their souls for a 401K. It was good being an X’er for a while until that other newer generation started calling us closed minded and said we were hindering their success and spiritual growth. Dang kids think they know everything. I can’t wait till they have kids.
March 18th, 2007 at 9:16 pm
Regarding your addendum on Jim O’Connor’s claim that Bob Monday’s property cannot be developed due to problems with wetlands and access:
* When I first received Bob Monday’s map, I ran it past a friend who had mapped the wetlands in that area. My friend didn’t think there were wetlands in the particular area where Monday proposes to develop big box stores.
* As for access, Monday told me that when he discussed the site with the city about a year ago, there were questions about access, but he has come up with a new access plan (which he has circulated around town) that resolves those issues.