To be honest. that McDonald's is pretty much THE main public gathering place in Pape village.
No big parks near by, the Coffee Time closed down - there are only a couple of very small upper class coffee shops.
The old Greek men will have no where to meet.
I will have to drive further out to get my daughter a happy meal or a Big Mac for myself a few times per year.
Where will the teenagers grab their lunches?
Do we need more condos? or fancy cafes?
I think the McDonald's there is good for the neighborhood and am curious about what they'll do to renovate. Outdoor patios?
Tastes will vary; I'm clearly not a McDs fan; and I think there are countless places to get a better lunch; and there would be more if McDs which consumes a material portion of the marketshare were gone.
Though, truthfully, if they did put the site up for development, I would expect they would lease a nearby storefront to replace it.
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I would certainly agree the area has too little park space; and I hope one or more of the existing parks will be expanded as new development arrives.
I just don't see McDs presence as a substitute for addressing that.
When I look at that site, I see a car orientation; parking and a drive-thru.
For me, I think the area should be about walking places, and biking and transiting not driving. ( i say this as a driver and car owner).
It should be about vibrant streets and local businesses and high quality eating options.
To me, this McD's is the opposite of the above.
None of this is a knock-on you.........as I started off with, tastes/views will vary.
Those are mine.