The McDonald’s drive-thru at 1000 Commerce St. in downtown Dallas, a vital fast-food spot for area workers, could stay open for an additional two years.
The City Plan Commission voted on November 7 to approve a temporary renewal of the restaurant’s special-use permit, which was necessary after the drive-thru’s previous permit expired in December 2023, the Dallas Business Journal reported.
However, the renewal has a clear caveat: this is the last extension allowed.
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.
This decision highlights the broader debate between urban development goals and the practical needs of businesses in a changing downtown environment.
Critics of the drive-thru argue that it contradicts the City’s efforts to promote walkability and reduce traffic-related deaths through initiatives like Vision Zero and the 360 Plan.
City Plan Commissioner Melissa Kingston, who represents District 14, expressed concern that the fast food chain’s drive-thru was not compatible with downtown Dallas’s evolving character. This is especially true as other projects, like the relocation of the Greyhound bus station and redevelopment of Bank of America Plaza, push for more pedestrian-friendly spaces.
While McDonald’s representatives did not comment, the restaurant’s location remains a key option for affordable, fast dining in a downtown area with few such alternatives. McDonald’s is one of the only affordable, 24-hour dining choices near office buildings, parking lots, and office complexes.
Despite these practical considerations, some City officials are eager for the franchisee to adapt. They point to other successful McDonald’s locations in walkable downtown areas, like those in San Antonio, which operate without drive-thrus.
The Dallas City Council is expected to have the final say on this issue later this year or in early 2025.
This article was written with the assistance of artificial intelligence.