OAK RIDGE, TN – The City of Oak Ridge will be reopening its newly renovated courtroom following several months of improvements. The courtroom, which closed in late December 2024 for renovation, will once again host City Council meetings beginning in November.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m., before the November City Council meeting.

The project focused on modernizing the space to better serve Oak Ridgers, with updates that include:

• ADA accessibility improvements to make the courtroom more inclusive for all visitors.
• A new ramp at the front of the Municipal Building, providing easier access.
• Lighting upgrades for improved video streaming, recording, courtroom visibility, and energy efficiency.
• Updated technology and equipment to support more effective public meetings and court proceedings.

“These renovations represent an important investment in the future of our community,” said City Manager Randy Hemann. “We are excited to welcome Oak Ridgers back to a space that is now more accessible, more functional, and better equipped to support the work of City government.”

During the renovation period, City Court, and several other City boards and commissions were temporarily relocated to alternate sites. With construction complete, City Court will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2025. The City Court Clerk’s Office, which is temporarily at the Central Services Complex on Woodbury Lane, will close on Dec. 22 for the Christmas holiday and reopen at its new office at the Municipal Building from Dec. 29 to 31. The office will close for the New Year's holiday and reopen on January 5.

City boards and commissions will return to holding meetings in the courtroom in the new year. A meeting schedule will be published on the City website in December. For more information about upcoming meetings, agendas, and minutes, please visit oakridgetn.gov/agendas.

For questions about the renovation or specific meeting location changes, contact the City Clerk’s Office at (865) 425-3411.

For questions about City Court, visit oakridgetn.gov/citycourt or call (865) 425-3536.