New restaurant to face Fulton Street

By Angie Landsverk

The McDonald’s in Waupaca will be torn down, and a new one will be constructed on the same site.

“The hope is to start yet this year with construction, depending on permitting. Typically, these projects are taking about 110 days,” said David Bentz, of Bishop Engineering in Urbandale, Iowa.

Bishop Engineering brought the proposed site plan before the city’s Plan Commission on Aug. 9 for review.

The commission approved it.

The new restaurant will be rotated 90 degrees and shifted north on the site in order to provide better visibility to Fulton Street.

“I think it puts a nice facade on the corner of Fulton and Western (Avenue),” said Commissioner John Kneer.

Brennan Kane, the city’s director of community and economic development, said the current McDonald’s is between 30 and 40 years old.

The new restaurant will align with McDonald’s newer branding and will be similar in architectural style to the one in New London, he said.

Those currently visiting Waupaca’s restaurant may enter from the east or west, Bentz said.

The new restaurant’s orientation will have people entering and exiting at the northeast, he said.

Those using the drive-thru will no longer circle the restaurant to exit, Bentz said.

The city required a Traffic Impact Analysis regarding the northern driveway access point and its proximity to Fulton Street.

Bentz said there will be the same amount of traffic at the north access point.

The city will monitor the traffic.

“What has been going on the last 35 years will continue going on,” said Public Works Director Justin Berrens.

He compared the city’s plan to watch traffic in that area as to what it did after Pick ‘n Save built its new store.

Bentz also asked that the restaurant’s current sign be grandfathered in after the site is redeveloped.

“We aren’t disturbing it,” he said.

The commission said the current signage will be acceptable.

“It’ll be a great addition. Good luck to you,” Commissioner Pat Phair said of the redevelopment of the site.