Construction is nearing completion for a new Burger King on the corner of Westchester and Colonial avenues.
The fast food restaurant will be the primary occupant of 3261 Westchester Avenue, along with several other businesses.
The property, which wraps around Westchester Avenue onto Colonial Avenue, has a sign soliciting businesses that might be interested in renting a commercial space.
Martin Prince, the chairperson for Community Board 10, said he has not heard from the ownership of the development.
However, he said he is hoping the landlord – which is currently listed at MHA, LLC – reaches out to and joins the Pelham Bay Merchants Association.
Irene Guanill, chairperson for the Pelham Bay Merchants Association, said she has not heard from the owner but recently visited the construction site.
Guanill noted that the Burger King on Middletown Road “does very well” and cited that she “doesn’t see any issues” with adding a new one at the Westchester Avenue location.
When asked about the other businesses that will move into the buildings she said, “Anytime a store is not vacant, it’s a positive.”
This stretch of Westchester Avenue, under the el, is experiencing several welcome improvements.
One block over from the future fast food spot, there are five stores under renovation.
These stores experienced significant damage after the Texas Chicken & Burgers at 3275 Westchester Avenue caught fire due to a gas leak last year.
Also, not far from the Burger King site the heavily used Amendola Plaza, under the Pelham Bay IRT #6 station is undergoing a major revamping.
Construction on the plaza – which was supposed to include the installation of trees, iron fencing and plant beds – was supposed to be completed by fall of this year.
Guanill is hoping when work at the site is finally completed it will be “a lot cleaner, a lot brighter and a lot prettier.”
