SOUTH SHORE — Residents are upping the ante in efforts to keep a McDonald’s from replacing Urban Partnership Bank.
“Our congregation will not ‘make a deal’ with Urban Partnership Bank or any developer to support building a fast food restaurant in the parking lot at 7001 S. Jeffery Blvd,” said Karl Wilson of Bryn Mawr Community Church.
Urban Partnership Bank is closing its branch at 7054 S. Jeffery Blvd. on March 22, and Monroe Investment Partners is proposing a fast food restaurant for the bank's parking lot.
Neighbors, including Bryn Mawr Church at 7000 S. Jeffery Blvd., initially supported ideas for a Chipotle or Potbelly, but soured on the idea of fast food after McDonald’s was presented as an option.
McDonald’s is not officially on the table as a choice for South Shore, but residents already are circulating petitions to halt the zoning change that would be necessary to build a fast food restaurant.
“The proposed restaurant fails to provide any benefits to community residents,” said John Lewis, chairman of the church’s board of trustees. “Retaining the parking lot will also allow its continued use by local social, educational and other groups who hold their meetings at the church.”
The church uses the bank’s parking lot when the bank is closed. The parking lot is also used for the South Shore farmers market.
Monroe Investment Partners did not return several calls seeking comment.
