To view the recording of this program, CLICK HERE.

The League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge welcomes the community to Lunch With the League from 12:00 PM EST – 1:00 PM EST, Tuesday, March 15, 2022. In an effort to keep everyone safe during this time of pandemic, the meeting will again be virtual. Those who desire to gain access to the meeting may do so by following the instructions provided at the close of this article.

Update on “Downtown Main Street”

Wayne Blasius, Planning & Development Department Director, City of Oak Ridge, will be the featured speaker. In his current capacity, Mr. Blasius is responsible for coordinating the City’s planning and code enforcement functions, while simultaneously focusing on sustainability and quality of life issues. Mr. Blasius holds a bachelor’s degree in economics (with emphasis in environmental studies) from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and a master of science in urban planning from UT-Knoxville.

Mr. Blasius became the Director of Planning & Development for the City of Oak Ridge in September 2017. He grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and adopted East Tennessee as his home in 1977. Prior to coming to Oak Ridge, he led the nonprofit East Tennessee Community Design Center (2014-17) and served as president of the InSite Development Corporation (2001-2015) where he completed major downtown Knoxville historic rehabs such as the Phoenix and Mast General Store/Gallery Lofts. He also consulted on energy management, infrastructure, and sustainability matters for Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Previously in his career, he served as deputy director of the City of Knoxville’s Department of Community Development. Additionally, he has chaired and served as a member on numerous community boards and agencies. The father of four children who were raised in Knoxville, he also proudly adds that he “began welcoming a string of grandchildren in 2017!”.

Because of its unique development as a community to support the Manhattan Project, the City of Oak Ridge lacked a central downtown. In the fall of 2019, the City prepared a vision for a new city-center which which included zoning changes, property acquisition and soliciting development. With zoning changes and property acquisition in place, on August 6, 2021, the Oak Ridge Land Bank held its “Toast the Town” event to hear the formal announcement of the call for development. Two excellent proposals were received in response to the RFP, and will be considered for approval by the Land Bank Board at their business meeting, March 15, 5:30 pm (location TBA). Interested community members are encouraged to attend.

It will be exciting to learn the results of the call for development of Oak Ridge Downtown along Wilson Street and other development efforts in the City.

Lunch with the League welcomes League members and nonmembers alike to this informative presentation. For instruction on linking to the live presentation, contact maryannreeves1 [at] att.net. All League members will receive an email with the zoom link prior to the meeting. A couple of days following the presentation, you may view the recorded presentation on the League’s website (https://my.lwv.org/tennessee/oak-ridge).

The League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge is a nonpartisan political organization for men and women. It encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.