Vernon Business Projects Taking Shape On Route 83

VERNON, CT — Two economic development projects in a busy section of Vernon are taking shape — one sandwiched between two food establishements that will house at least a Verizon Wireless outlet and another a car wash taking up a long-vacant tract of land.

The car wash represents one longtime business — Economy Oil Change on Route 30 — reinvesting in Vernon with a car wash at the former site of a filling station across from Tri-City Plaza at 56 Talcottville Road, the local address for that section of Route 83. It's a patch of land measuring .98 acres. It was cleared years ago and blends in with a state commuter lot on its side of Route 83.

Vernon Interim Director of Planning and Development Shaun Gately said some logistical and regulatory delays slowed down the progress of what will be called Economy Car Wash Express since it was announced in January, but the foundation should be poured next week.

The project calls for a 4,988-square-foot, fully enclosed car wash facility, with exterior vacuums, as well as "the associated infrastructure," Gately said.

The Verizon franchise currently located at 425 Talcottville Road in the same plaza at Planet Fitness will move down to the new building between Wendy's and Starbucks, Gately said.

In late August, the steel framing went up for the free-standing business building at the site along the 100 block of Talcottville Road, the local address for that portion of state Route 83. On Tuesday of this week, most of the building was up except for the facade.

There are no estimated opening dates as yet for either development, Gately said.