New Taco John’s, second Burger King made official
By Joe Bachman
Editor
STEVENS POINT — Council members have made official a move that would see the construction of a new Taco John’s and a second Burger King in Stevens Point.
The Taco John’s will be constructed at at 1616 Academy Ave., and a Burger King at 1617 Schofield Ave. These would be constructed close together, not far from Trig’s grocery store.
Initial plans were met with resistance by some officials, with critiques including a narrow drive-thru, and enter/exit lanes that could lead to potential accidents on Academy Avenue for the Taco John’s site. In efforts to alleviate concerns, they increased setbacks, which allows for more space to be allotted for the properties, giving Taco John’s a space of 2,316 sq. feet, and Burger King with 3,257 sq. feet.
“It continues the large setbacks that council specifically voted against when we changed the zoning,” said District 9 Alder Mary McComb. “It doesn’t appeal to the vision that any of us have for Division. Pragmatically, in the short term, the restaurants will provide an increased tax base — and I’m not a fast food person, but they’re the type of businesses that fit the neighborhood demographics.”
District 8 Alder Cathy Dugan disagreed with the notion that any business should be built at that location, and urged others to wait until a true plan is set forth for the Division Street area.
“I think we need to wait (not years and years) for about as long as it takes for us to get a plan developed for Division Street,” said District 8 Alder Cathy Dugan. “..It doesn’t matter what the business is, but about the setbacks — it’s about trying to make a place far more accessible to people rather than just a drive-thru.”
As of note, future neighbors Trig’s was in favor of the proposal, stating as such in an email to the city.
District 4 Alder Heidi Oberstadt grew up next to a Taco John’s, and gave her thoughts on where she would eventually place her vote.
“My love for Potato Olés does not influence my decision here,” joked Oberstdadt. “In all seriousness, if you look across Division Street with this area that we have with McDonald’s…and Culver’s, that has a stop right off the highway — it will fit right in for what people are looking for when they stop right off the highway. “I’ve heard from many people that they are really in favor of these restaurants.”
The final vote ended up at 8-2 with Jennings and Dugan voting against for both Taco John’s and Burger King proposals.