SOLAQUA: Sundog Solar
by Ross Rice
...Kling Magnetics moved into the long-coveted space in 1996, but there was also this whole ex-recycled paper mill and a bunch of land. OK, what the hell can be done with all that?
What to do, indeed. Well, how about something big? Solaqua Power and Art: a sun and water powered art and technology center and self-sustaining community, with multi-use venues onsite. A larger vision emerged from the necessity of making use of this space, but we are talking about what once was a functioning paper mill, albeit a small recycling one. Part of the property consists of filled-in holding tanks used by the mill. Trace amounts of PCB’s were found in early sediment tests, but the property’s sellers were held to rigorous qualifications before the deal went through, passing Phase Three remediation. Jody also got some word that the environmental lawyer for the mill was interested in purchasing the property, making a tangible offer. Oh, was he now? That, plus the knowledge that most pollutants had already been washed downstream over the years, gave Jody confidence in the deal and that the land was environmentally viable.
With space no longer a problem, it was time to get some money into the project. First of all, Kling Magnetics was the main business engine, with the ability to magnetize just about anything, including paint (hence the magnets on the office walls) and flexible thin steel plates. On the day I visit, Jody takes me on the floor where several people are operating cutters, laminators, and packaging devices, all magnetic objects, including the playing cards. The entire 20,000 square feet warehouse is heated by vegetable oil he’s collected for the last year and a half, and used to fire a 500,000 BTU boiler that sends hot water through the original steam system. Kling hums along nicely. . . let’s face it, people never get tired of magnetic stuff.
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