AutoZone plans to demolish building, replace restaurant

A retail auto parts store hopes to build a new building on East College Avenue where a restaurant now stands.

AutoZone recently proposed demolishing the building at 2605 E. College Ave. where A&W/Long John Silver’s is located.

“Our store development team works very hard to identify locations that are convenient to our customers and allow us to serve them better,” AutoZone spokeswoman Tracy Houston said.

AutoZone hopes to open by December, though Houston said that the scheduled date could change weekly depending on unspecified factors.

It is unknown if A&W/Long John Silver’s would relocate. An A&W/Long John Silver’s manager deferred comment on the future of the restaurant to corporate offices, which did not respond to requests for comment.

A project narrative submitted to College Township by McIlbried, DiDiano and Mox, the site planners, refers to the location as the site of the former A&W/Long John Silver’s restaurant. The narrative also said that the auto company has a ground lease with property owners Timothy and Debra Houser.

AutoZone wants to tear down the existing 2,722-square-foot building and rebuild one that is 7,382 square feet.

The retailer would also foot the bill for 29 parking spaces, landscaping, lot lighting and a new concrete sidewalk along the southeastern side of the development.

College Township senior planner Mark Holdren said staff has completed two internal reviews of the proposed plans, which the Planning Commission will review Feb. 16. The commission could then possibly make recommendations for Township Council.

“This seems fairly routine,” Holdren said. “That area is zoned for commercial use, and there is nothing that appears to be outstanding as an issue.”

Houston said AutoZone would employ about 10 people.

The AutoZone would be located next to A&A Auto Stores, a regional company with 18 shops in Pennsylvania. A&A Auto Stores did not respond to requests for comment.

This story was originally published February 9, 2016 at 3:09 PM with the headline "AutoZone plans to demolish building, replace restaurant."