By Jason Rowe
Journal Inquirer
January 3, 2006

VERNON — It may be a vacant corner now, but a lot on Talcottville Road could become the town's next commercial hot spot.

The Sullivan Hayes Companies of Farmington is floating a conceptual plan to develop 3.65 acres at the corner of Talcottville Road and Hockanum Boulevard.

The parcel has sat quiet in recent years as land around it has been developed into shopping centers and large-scale apartment complexes.

The Mansions at Hockanum Crossing apartment complex is located to the rear of the site, which is in close proximity to several large retail chains, including Stop & Shop, Price Chopper, and Kmart.

A conceptual plan submitted to town officials includes three buildings, ranging from 3,000 square feet in size to 7,000 square feet.

A restaurant and bank are among the potential uses for the site, which has been designed to hold 158 parking spaces.

Although no formal development application has been submitted, Economic Development Director Neil S. Pade said Sullivan Hayes' interest in the site is a positive thing for the town.

And while the company has sketched out a conceptual plan for the site, Pade said those plans could change depending on the type of businesses that are interested in the site.

"Right now, I think they are looking to do a number of uses," Pade said. "They are not looking for a fast-food franchise."

In their documents promoting the site, Sullivan Hayes touts close proximity to Interstate 84 and high traffic counts on Talcottville Road.

Company officials estimate that roughly 26,000 cars pass the site each day as they travel on the road, which is Route 83.

The site is already zoned for commercial use.

The company is also touting the economic demographics of the site, noting that more than 145,000 people live within 7 miles of the site.

The average household income, for that area is just over $69,000, according to the company.

If Sullivan Hayes is successful in luring businesses to the site, Pade said, that corner could become one of the town's most important commercials areas.

"This could end up being a very promising corner in Vernon," Pade said. "It's going to be a very complex deal on the part of the realtor."