Construction of a new convenience store and McDonalds complex along Highway 55 in Annandale is moving forward and a groundbreaking ceremony is expected later this month or early next month.
Tom Schmidt, owner and developer of several "Schmidty’s" convenience stores, purchased the property located on the former Marketplace site at Excelsior and Highway 55. He has been trying to get the project off the ground since October 2009 but ran into several delays along the way. After negotiating with McDonalds, Schmidt and his architect Graeme Mahler of Mahler Architecture had to completely redesign the structure to accommodate the fast food giant’s specifications.
That revised plan was approved by the Annandale City Council in February and the building permit was pulled earlier this month pending a building inspection, according to Bob Derus, interim city administrator. The site plan has not changed significantly since it was approved, Mahler said.
"McDonalds, during their many reviews, frequently tweaks the location of something by inches, not feet," Mahler said. "We’ve had a few of those types of changes, but nothing major. Completion is scheduled for late August or early September, barring unforeseen site conditions and-or weather delays."
Bids were sought separately for McDonalds and the Schmidty’s Convenience store structure, which also includes commercial space separating the two anchor businesses. Those bids were due to Mahler on Friday, May 18, and it is expected to take a week to review them, Mahler said. The next step is to secure the financing, award the bids and begin construction in early June. Mahler added that it is expected to take about 16 weeks to build the multi-business complex.