By By Adam Prestridge
Workers with A.C. Child's Construction Company out of Frisco City began demolition of Atmore's Golden Arches Tuesday afternoon.
The demolition is making way for a new, state-of-the-art McDonald's restaurant that will not only change the scenery in Atmore, but also offer Big Mac lovers a more pleasing, interactive restaurant to dine at.
"We're excited about it," Hafez Corporation supervisor Perry James said Tuesday afternoon. "We're looking forward to the new building. I think the community will be very pleased with it."
According to Hafez Corporation owner Ebrahim Maghsoud once construction begins, it usually takes about 90 days to complete the new McDonald's building. He said the main obstacle would be weather.
"The new facility will be real nice," Maghsoud said. "It will be comparable or better than Bay Minette."
James said Maghsoud's 90-day projection is still anticipated. Workers on site said construction could even take less than 90 days if the weather cooperates and they don't "run into any other snags."
"We're projecting opening in late December," James said. "It all depends on weather conditions. If the weather stays in compliance with us, they (construction workers) can stay on track."
Stovall Construction out of Arlington, Texas is the general contractor in charge of construction of the new Atmore facility. Stovall is completing its work on Hafez's Malbis McDonald's location, which is slated to open Nov. 9, according to Perry. Construction in Malbis began in mid-August.
A.C. Child's Construction is a sub-contractor in charge of demolition of the old building, hauling off debris and prepping the site for construction, which is projected to begin next week. According to workers, it will take a couple of days to clean debris from the site. Several dump truck loads of materials have to be hauled off separately due to landfill guidelines.
James said once the new McDonald's is open for business, it will be something the Atmore community can and will be proud off.
"It will definitely bring a new and fresh look to the community," he said. "It will generate revenue and tax dollars for the community. We're giving back to the community what they've already tried to invest. They deserve this. They waited too long for it."
Maghsoud said additions to the new location would include flat-screen televisions in the dining area, console video games, and upscale bathrooms and d/cor. The design of the building will be the newest McDonald's has to offer, which features a brick and glass front and beautiful landscaping.
Customers will also have the options of paying with a credit card or debit card at the new facility, which Maghsoud had already implemented prior to closing. Customers will also be able to purchase gift cards or surf the Internet with McDonald's wireless capabilities once reopened.