Washington McDonald’s to tear down, rebuild

WASHINGTON — The McDonald’s restaurant in Washington plans to demolish its building and reconstruct it, slightly repositioned, on the same lot.

Records submitted to the Washington City Council and its Planning & Zoning Commission say the change will adjust drive-thru lanes and move the building to the south, slightly reducing its footprint and the number of parking spaces while updating sidewalks for ADA compliance.

People familiar with the project, including Bishop Engineering’s Casey Thompson and Planning and Zoning Official Jeff Duwa, said the planned changes would likely remove the building’s PlayPlace as well.

Store Manager Kate Straughter said the move would greatly expand the eating establishment’s productivity, in response to heavy local demand.

“We’re too small that we can’t keep up,” Straughter said. “The stores in Iowa City, some of those, we’re way busier than they are. And we don’t have a third of the kitchen space.”

Straughter declined a request for further comments, saying fine details of the project were still being worked out.

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McDonald’s USA Regional Construction Manager Steve Rizzo said at a P & Z meeting that the company hoped to break ground in July, but may be delayed by contractors’ other work in the area.

“If July proves untenable, we would look toward the spring of 2025,” he said.

Duwa said the process would prevent any business at the location for six to eight months, once demolition begins.

That could prove inconvenient for community members, who have grown accustomed to the establishment’s quick service and status as one of the very few drive-through restaurants in town.

Washington City Council members said they didn’t look forward to the temporary closure, but ultimately approved the site plan with a unanimous vote at their meeting Tuesday night.

“Six to (eight) months of not having a store open, I mean it’s a huge investment, to not have any business,” Council Member Patrick Morgan said. “We’re taking away an eating establishment in town … we don’t have another type of place like that, fast food or something of that nature.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com