Citizens Oak Ridge

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Media Coverage - The Oak Ridger

Petitioners hold open house

By: John Huotari | john.huotari@oakridger.com
Story last updated at 10:55 pm on 3/4/2007

Halfway through a petition drive, opponents of the Crestpointe shopping center on Friday said they have collected at least 715 signatures — or less than half of what they need.

But with some petitions still out, the actual number of collected signatures could be higher, organizers said.

The opponents, organized as Citizens Oak Ridge, have until March 13 to collect about 2,000 signatures in their drive to force a referendum election on whether to use public money to help finance the $65 million Crestpointe project.

On Friday, they had an open house at the Oak Ridge Civic Center, where group members could talk about the potential referendum and pick up petitions, among other things.

If their petition drive is successful, a referendum election could be held along with the June 5 municipal election.

Crestpointe opponents and skeptics have a variety of objections to the project, ranging from the public financing to the proposed location to the effect on existing Oak Ridge businesses.

Some of them also challenge the city’s financial analysis of the project.

Bill Schramm, Citizens Oak Ridge president, said more than 50 people are involved in the petition drive. They believe the public ought to vote on whether the city should borrow up to $6 million for the 60-acre project, which could be anchored by a SuperTarget on Pine Ridge.

“It’s a lot of money, it’s controversial, and this is not what governments typically spend money on,” Schramm said. “The citizens should have a right to vote.”

The developer, GBT Realty Corp., of Brentwood, has asked Oak Ridge officials to invest $10.5 million to help cover Crestpointe infrastructure and site-preparation costs. Oak Ridge officials say the money could come from borrowed funds, debt reserves, and the city’s economic diversification fund.

Officials say the city’s investment would be repaid through new revenues at the site, which overlooks South Illinois Avenue. Oak Ridge Deputy City Manager Steve Jenkins has said the project could generate more than $1 million a year in net new revenues for local governments and schools.

Still, petition supporters said residents should be able to “voice their opinions.”

“If my tax money is involved, I want the citizens to vote on it,” Oak Ridge resident Lee Roy Gilliam said.

Those who are interested in learning more about Citizens Oak Ridge can visit their Web site at www.citizensoakridge.com.

Schramm said people can also call the group at (865) 220-0829.

It isn’t yet clear what effect the Citizens Oak Ridge petition drive might have on the City Council’s March 19 meeting. At that meeting, Council members are scheduled to consider a resolution that would allow the city to transfer up to $10.5 million to the Oak Ridge Industrial Development Board for Crestpointe site work.

John Huotari can be contacted at (865) 220-5533.

http://www.oakridger.com/stories/030407/new_153953330.shtml