Andrew Crystal of O’Connell Development is managing construction of the new Kollmorgen Electro Optical facility at Hospital Hill (also known as Village Hill) in Northampton, Massachusetts. Kollmorgen Electro Optical manufactures optical equipment for military use and is the largest industrial employer in Northampton. Its new headquarters measures 140,000 square feet and will be the anchor property of Village Hill, which will comprise both residential and commercial space.
The Village Hill development is predicted to lead to a swell of new opportunities for local businesses. Upon completion of its new facilities, Kollmorgen will be able to hire up to 30 new employees. The company’s goal is to be settled into its new headquarters by the end of 2011.
Following Kollmorgen’s relocation from its current headquarters on King Street to Village Hill, Northampton town officials are hopeful the former facility will attract new businesses to the area. In anticipation of these changes, city planners have been working with local residents and members of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce to update zoning laws in the area surrounding Kollmorgen’s old plant to make King Street more business-friendly.
