McDonald's gets final OK to rebuild restaurant

A project to demolish and then rebuild McDonald's on Paterson Street received final approval from the Ogdensburg Planning Board.

The project, submitted by McDonald's USA, calls for the 35-year-old, 1134 Paterson St. building to be demolished and a new 3,900-square-foot restaurant to be built.

The proposal went before the St. Lawrence County Planning Board for review. It was sent back to the city Planning Board for final approval.

"Along with the reconstruction of Paterson Street, the recent demolition of the Park Plaza and the eventual construction of Tractor Supply, we are very excited about all the new investment along Paterson Street and Route 37," said J. Justin Woods, Ogdensburg's director of planning & development.

The new building will be shifted, allowing for parking near the building to help accommodate handicapped visitors, as well as to cut down on pedestrian conflicts. The building will also be modern and more energy efficient, mimicking similar projects in Massena and Watertown.

Customers will have to go without the popular fast food while the demolition and rebuilding of the restaurant takes place. It's estimated to take three months, depending on the spring weather.

The Ogdensburg McDonald's employs 60 full- and part-time workers, most of which may be relocated to nearby McDonald's restaurants, according to McDonald's officials.