By Michael S. Hoey
The Delavan Taco Bell closed for business the first week of August to make way for a new store that is set to open on Nov. 6. The project is not a simple remodel as the current structure was razed Aug. 14 to make way for a completely new building.
Koester Construction has the contract for the project. Project Engineer Kurt Umthum said the former building was constructed in 1996 and was old, out-of-date, in rough condition and needed to be torn down.
The new building will be a bit larger than the old, but customers may not notice a difference because the lobby area will be about the same size, Umthum said. The overall added space will allow the new building’s cooler to be inside rather than detached and outside the building as it was with the old building. The new building will be 2,147 square feet while the former was approximately 1,900 square feet.
Umthum said the new building will be set back about 15 feet further from the curb than the former structure and will have the newest Taco Bell style and concept. He said the lobby, though not any larger, will have a more functional layout that will include kiosks for self-ordering and possibly USB ports at some seating locations.
The project was originally scheduled to begin in April but was delayed due to some changes in the plans that were made to satisfy state certification issues, according to Umthum. For example, he said, the roofline was changed to become one fluid line rather than one of varying heights. Umthum said each change had to go back to the state for approval. He also said it did make sense to wait because the busy summer months is not the best time for a project like this.
He said he believes employees at the local Taco Bell were either given some type of compensation or allowed to temporarily transfer to other area stores during the estimated three months the restaurant will be closed, but he could not be certain.
Officials from Taco Bell could not be reached for comment.
