The city has indicated this is the last time it will extend a permit for a drive-thru at a McDonald’s restaurant as it transitions to supporting a denser, more walkable downtown environment.
The drive-thru window at a downtown Dallas McDonald’s fast food restaurant will stay open an additional two years after the City Plan Commission approved a temporary renewal of the company’s permit. “This decision highlights the broader debate between urban development goals and the practical needs of businesses in a changing downtown environment.”
According to The Dallas Express, critics say the drive-thru is not in line with the city’s goal to make downtown more walkable and dense. The article notes that the restaurant is a popular, affordable option for workers in the area, but city officials say it could continue operating successfully without the drive-thru. “The franchisee is encouraged to adapt and find ways to keep the business viable without the drive-thru, in line with downtown Dallas’ future vision of a more walkable, dense urban area.”
FULL STORY: McDonald’s Drive-Thru In Downtown Dallas May Stay Open For Two More Years Amid City Vision Debate
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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