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Groves Park Commons residents urge Oak Ridge to fix unpaved streets; council plans legal review
Summary
Multiple Groves Park Commons residents told council they have paid property taxes for years without promised paved roads, said the developer bond expired and bank holds the roads, and asked the city to take action; council acknowledged complexity and scheduled legal follow-up including an executive-session review with attorneys.
Oak Ridge — Residents of Groves Park Commons packed council chambers to press the City Council for action after years without paved roads in their neighborhood.
Several residents addressed council during appearance of citizens. Michael Martin said residents have "collectively paid approximately $1,000,000 in real estate taxes" over two decades but still lack paved streets and safe ADA-compliant access; he said city-directed processes have produced no clear path forward. "We've followed every step asked of us by the city... However, there has been no resolution and no clear path forward," Martin said.
Kirill Matusovich said a bond intended to secure roads was allowed to expire in 2018 while funds were held at Commercial Bank. He said the neighborhood does not seek new money — "the cost to remedy this, about $150,000, has already been set aside" — and asked the city to press for accountability and a solution.
Resident Ruth Ritchie described mobility problems for her husband, a disabled veteran, saying lack of paved, ADA-compliant surfaces prevents basic access to the neighborhood and services. David Romba and other neighbors urged the council to act.
City staff said the situation is complicated: legal and ownership issues remain unresolved, the roads are owned by the bank, and staff have pursued communications with the bank and developers. The mayor proposed an executive session with the city attorney and staff to allow attorney–client privilege for a robust legal discussion; council agreed to pursue legal meetings and to provide regular updates to residents.
What’s next: Council asked staff and the legal department to work proactively, schedule an executive session to review options with attorneys, and keep Groves Park Commons residents updated on progress.
