DERRY — Crystal Avenue will be getting a new look this summer.
Two new banks will be constructed, replacing an abandoned Chinese restaurant and a house, and McDonald's is already in the process of rebuilding a new restaurant.
Plans for Enterprise Bank, to be located at 47 Crystal Ave., and River Bank, to be located at of 51 Crystal Ave., were recently granted approval by the Planning Board.
"It will be a whole new look to that area," said Planning Director George Sioras, who indicated the banks are looking to start construction as soon as possible.
Instead of a large, barren parking area, the 2,432 square-foot River Bank will have a front yard and plenty of landscaping features that will brighten up the area, Sioras said.
The 3,305 square-foot Enterprise Bank will be made of brick in a Neo-Classical style, with columns, he said.
McDonald's is already in the process of constructing their new building and should be finished shortly. The project was expected to take less than three months and has already been in construction for more than a month.
The new building will be slightly smaller but will have a more traditional look. It will also feature two drive-thru lanes for more take-out business, Sioras said.
Business Development Director Beth Thompson said these new buildings are a nice addition to one of Derry's most popular streets, which will only become busier once the town reconfigures Route 28 north to the Londonderry line.
"They've done a nice job of updating that area of town," she said.
The town was scheduled to widen Route 28 from two lanes to five next month, but in March, Wal-Mart pulled out of its plans to build a Supercenter on the northern section of the road. Now the town is unsure when they will pursue the project even though town officials say the area is still attractive to developers and other retail stores.
