By Mark Scheer
Niagara Gazette
NIAGARA FALLS —
Niagara Falls is one step closer to getting an Olive Garden restaurant.
Members of the city’s planning board on Wednesday approved a site plan for a proposal to build a new Olive Garden near the main entrance to the Walmart plaza off Military Road in LaSalle.
Darden Restaurants, the company that owns the Olive Garden chain, submitted a site plan calling for the construction of a 7,441-square-foot restaurant at the so-called LaSalle Center plaza, the home to the city’s super Walmart next to the Fashion Outlets mall and across the street from Wegman’s grocery store. Darden’s proposal calls for the new Olive Garden to be built on a portion of the plaza property on Military Road, just south of the existing Chili’s Restaurant.
Neil Terwilliger, an associate from Darden, said Wednesday’s site plan approval will allow the company to begin applying for building permits needed to start construction. Once the necessary permits are secured, Terwilliger said the company plans to begin construction immediately and is hoping to be open for business sometime in spring 2011.
The planning board approved the site plan in a unanimous vote and City Planner Tom DeSantis complimented Olive Garden officials for developing a thorough proposal and an attractive restaurant design.
“This will be a great addition not only for the plaza, but for the city as well,” DeSantis said.
