Key Hyundai Expansion Project Set to Begin

A car dealership staying put? 

And expanding? 

That's the case with Key Hyundai at 21 Hartford Turnpike on the Vernon-Manchester line. Owners Jill and Jeff Merriam said on Monday that construction is about to begin on a $2.5 million renovation project that will replace the existing dealership in stages and create a new, 17,000-square-foot facility when everything is finished early next year. The Merriams also own a dealership in Milford.

The Vernon project has cleared all the necessary local regulatory hurdles. Earlier this month, there was a question about whether the project needed a special permit because the expansion, which involves extended services, could be classified as a change in use. Vernon zoning officials determined that was not the case, Mayor Jason McCoy said on Monday. 

So the timetable to have the project finished in January stands. 

Key Hyundai will remain fully operational for both sales and service during construction, the Merriams said. Temporary buildings have already arrived on site. They will house the division of the dealership that is being renovated. 

The dealership will offer deals and contests through its Facebook page throughout the process. 

"We want to make the contraction a fun process for all and involve customers and employees in this exciting endeavor,'' Jill Merriam said. 

The first stage of construction will involve the service department. Business will be relocated to a previously renovated back building until the new digs are completed.  

The new amenities will include drive-in access, a car wash and a contemporary waiting area, Jill Merriam said 

Key services about 6,000 vehicles per year. The Merriams tout Key as the largest Hyundai dealership in the state.

Each department will eventually be demolished and rebuilt. Key has hired Newtown-based Claris Construction for the project. The company specializes in environmentally friendly techniques.