Community Corner

Kaplan: Hockanum Mill Project Would Supplement Manchester Business

Kaplan Computers owner said he needs a tech center.

Ken Kaplan says he needs to make two things perfectly clear.

• He is not relocating his current computer business, Kaplan Computers, on Route 83 in Manchester near the Vernon line.

• Tonight is just the first stop in what could be a very involved process to convert the Hockanum Mill property and an adjacent lot into a tech center to supplement the business along with other commercial space.

But he knew once his name appeared on the Vernon Town Council Agenda, someone would notice. After all, he has had a successful business for 15 years and his face is on the side of his trucks.

And their design arguably out-does even the furniture trucks of his neighbor down the road - Bob Kaufman.

"The store is staying here," Kaplan said on Monday. "But we need to expand and are looking at the Hockanum Mill and other options in Vernon."

As he said that, Kaplan pointed to an order of 300 systems that is, well, taking up a good portion of the roughly 7,500 square feet he has now.

The council is scheduled to discuss an option through which Kaplan can acquire the tax liens on the mill - 200 West Main Street - and the parcel across the driveway a 161 West Main St.

As of June 1, $133,103 is owed on the 6.75-acre 200 West Main St. property, owned by West Main Development LLC, town records indicate. The property at 161 West Main St. measures 1.59 acres and as of June 1, $11,284 is owed, town records indicate.

Kaplan wants to develop a 35,000-square-foot technical center to house computers and provide staff members a venue to create systems.

The properties are run down but are still considered historically significant because of the town's rich industrial past centered around the mills.

Economic Development Coordinator Shaun Gately said getting a site plan approved would involve reviews by several environmental, building, historical and governmental entities.

"And that could be a long process," he said.

Kaplan said the mill property is in the middle of his home in Tolland and the Manchester store.

"The town of Vernon has graciously offered this opportunity," he said. "I'm looking forward to working with everyone on this opportunity."


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