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McDonald's promises appropriate ambience
By LOGAN D. MABE
© St. Petersburg Times, WESTCHASE -- When shopping center developer Ed Giunta unveiled plans for a retail and office complex on the edge of Westchase in April, residents sat up and took notice. While Westchase is a 3,000-home domestic oasis in rural northwest Hillsborough, homeowners there have few options when it comes to spending their disposable income. So Giunta's proposal was greeted with much anticipation, until he mentioned the "M" word. McDonald's. The general consensus among those attending that April residents' forum was that they wanted upscale establishments like a nice restaurant, a meat and fish market, an art gallery or a boutique clothing store. Giunta didn't rule out any of those possibilities, and promised he would be back with more specifics. Thursday night, Giunta came to the monthly residents' forum with an executive from the McDonald's Corp. in tow. Charlie Alloway, assistant real estate manager for McDonald's, said the company was committed to building something that would blend into the community. "I recognize the type of exterior and ambience you'd like to see," Alloway said. "The intent obviously is to fit into the character of the neighborhood, something that's tasteful." Giunta said he does not yet have a contract with McDonald's, but brought along photographs of one of the company's outlets in Jacksonville that was built to blend in with its surroundings. "We try to match our developments to the tone of the businesses and residences that surround us," Alloway said. Giunta stressed that there's no "done deal" to put a McDonald's there and that he will continue to solicit residents' input. "This is still a fact-finding mission," Giunta said. "We want to hear from you. We're trying to get as much information as we can." The complex, to be built on 7.2 acres west of Westchase Square shopping center at Linebaugh Avenue and Countryway Boulevard, will include: Two outparcels of about 7,000 square feet each that could accommodate retail stores or restaurants. An 18,000-square-foot retail strip center. An office park that could house up to 23,000 square feet of professional services. Resident Nathan Lafer, a member of the Resident Advisory Committee, warned Alloway that if McDonald's did not meet residents' expectations, they would not patronize the store. Lafer said many residents refuse to go to the 7-Eleven in the neighborhood because the company installed bright lights that offended nearby homeowners. "I'll run out of gas and call AAA before I buy gas there," Lafer said. - Logan D. Mabe can be reached at 813-226-3464.
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From the Times |
