Plans for new McDonald’s restaurant in downtown Watsonville approved

The city of Watsonville has been working to improve its downtown, and bring in more business.

A decision made Tuesday to bring in a new McDonald’s to Watsonville has gotten some residents fired up. It was a unanimous vote by the City Council to bring in the fast food chain, but those on the council said this wasn’t their first choice of dining.

“I’d like to have a T.J. Maxx or an In and Out Burger or maybe an opportunity to have families some entertainment. But that wasn’t what was offered,” said Councilman Lowell Hurst.

What is being offered is the construction of another fast food restaurant. City leaders said this new project will bring in 70 jobs to the downtown. However, some residents would like to see healthier food choices available.

“I think it would be good to bring in a vegetarian restaurant where people could eat healthier foods, healthier snacks,” said Watsonville resident Artemisa Jasso.

City Councilman Lowell Hurst agrees, but he said it’s hard to attract those kinds of businesses to Watsonville. The new McDonald’s will be located at the corner of Riverside Drive and Main Street, where an old vacant building currently sits.

Those who oppose the new addition have created a petition circulating on social media. The “No to McDonald’s in Downtown Watsonville” Facebook page is aimed at getting opponents to the October 14th Council meeting, where a second vote is set to take place.

“Some of the controversy is a little blown out of shape… The Council decided this would be a good project. Maybe not their first choice, but sort of their only choice.”

Previously the city had the option to bring in a Walgreens, but that proposal fell through last year.