Shelly Holbrook: news@greenepublishing.com
There has been a lot of buzz regarding the new restaurants coming to the City of Madison: Popeye's Chicken and Taco Bell. City Manager Jerome Wyche shares that these additions first became public in June of 2021, and the initial plans included a finish date by the end of 2021. The demolition of the existing restaurants took place in late October, which only furthered the community's excitement and questions about when these projects would be complete.
Greene Publishing, Inc. contacted City Manager Jerome Wyche to see if there were any updates on these restaurants as we approach the end of 2021 and still haven't seen construction begin at these locations. Wyche was able to reach out to Urban Catalyst Consultants, Inc. and speak with the project officer responsible for both of these franchises. Popeye's site plan has been approved by the Department of Transportation, having completed their review for roadway usage. Duke Energy, who will be the power supplier for these franchises, has upgraded the needed utilities. The project manager shares that the foundational work is slated to begin in two to three weeks, and that pending weather or unforeseen delays, Popeye's Chicken should be open to the public in mid-to-late March.
There have been more delays with the Taco Bell franchise due to ongoing negotiations, but the project manager shares that they hope to see Taco Bell open shortly after Popeye's in the Spring of 2022. The project manager wanted to assure the citizens of Madison County that both of these restaurants are still coming to Madison, and that citizens will be updated as progress is made.