Excavation work for a new McDonald’s location near Three Springs subdivision is underway southwest of the Maverik Gas Station.
The 4,506-square-foot fast food restaurant is one of several developments occurring in the area. Lincoln Ludwig is the store’s listed owner, according to Durango’s Community Development Department.
Attempts to reach a McDonald’s representative about the project and its timeline were unsuccessful Thursday.
The new McDonald’s is one of several projects being prepped for construction along Wilson Gulch Drive.
Last September, Wesley Properties announced it would be building 62 homes along Wilson Gulch Drive. Wesley is also the land developer for the new McDonald’s.
Other businesses that may be located in the area include Starbucks, a U-Haul storage facility, a Hilton hotel and a Toyota dealership.
Scott Shine, community development director for the city of Durango, said the Community Development Department receives a plethora of inquiries about the land along Wilson Gulch Drive and near Three Springs.
“It’s only poised to grow,” he said.
A realignment of U.S. Highway 550 to connect with the Grandview interchange is expected to make Wilson Gulch Drive highly visible and easily accessible.
The nearly $100 million realignment was expected to open in late May. But troubles with receiving highway signage and lighting has postponed the opening until the end of June, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
“Now that all of that highway traffic is going to be funneled right to that interchange, a lot of commercial developers or franchises are looking at traffic counts and ease of access,” Shine said.
tbrown@durangoherald.com
