STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Community Board 1’s full board approved a proposal Monday night to build a McDonald’s at a formerly proposed Starbucks location in Castleton Corners—with the stipulation that it won’t operate 24 hours.
The exact address of the planned McDonald’s is 5 Wheeler Ave., at the corner of Victory Boulevard and Jewett Avenue.
For years green board has surrounded a property formerly Waterfalls Restaurant. Soon it will be a McDonald’s.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
According to George Turner, chair of the land use committee, the developer plans to widen Victory Boulevard and add a dedicated turn lane to help alleviate traffic congestion in the area. The Board of Standards and Appeals is requiring a traffic study as part of the application process.
“The developer is going to renovate the street—it’s going to create an extra turn lane there,” Turner said at the full board meeting. His land use committee met on Thursday, Nov. 6 where the restaurant’s plans also were met with approval.
There will be a traffic study of the area for the new restaurant which has the address of 5 Wheeler Ave.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
Rose Uscianowski, a representative from Transportation Alternatives, raised concerns about pedestrian safety. She noted that the intersection is already hazardous for pedestrians, bus riders and cyclists.
“I’m just worried that adding another drive-through to an area that already has a lot of points where pedestrians and cars intersect… can make it more dangerous for pedestrians,” Uscianowski said.
Turner responded that any proposed road changes would go through the Department of Transportation and that the transportation committee could review the traffic study once it’s completed.
The corner plot has been a restaurant for years prior to Waterfalls’ demolition. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)Why McDonald’s fits the site better than Starbucks
Peter Rampulla of Rampulla Associates Architects LLP, the New Dorp-based architect for the project, explained why the site — previously slated for a Starbucks — is better suited for a fast-food restaurant. He clarified that the existing Starbucks at 2070 Victory Blvd. remains in operation.
“Originally, Starbucks was set to operate at this site,” Rampulla said. “But a conflict arose over line-busting techniques — that’s where employees take orders outside the building to speed up service. The Board of Standards and Appeals was looking to mandate that approach, but Starbucks typically doesn’t use it. That’s where things fell apart between the operator and the owner. McDonald’s, on the other hand, does use line-busting, so we’re able to move forward with this application.”
He added, “Restaurants that are contained to fast-food establishments with a drive-thru — that’s ultimately where an employee comes out of the building, comes up to the car and takes your order. It’s easier for restaurants that are offering a value meal.” Rampulla noted that the complexity of Starbucks orders created a stalemate between the owner and the board, ultimately leading Starbucks to withdraw from the project.
Around 1960, this is what Tina’s Diner looked like at 2012 Victory Blvd., Castleton Corners. Community Board 1Traffic fixes, sidewalk widening and a nod to history
Road improvements will include pulling back a string of stores by five feet to widen the sidewalk from the site toward Bradley Avenue. Rampulla also clarified that a natural stream running underneath the property falls under the Department of Environmental Protection’s jurisdiction and will remain untouched due to existing drainage easements and widening line restrictions.
Waterfalls Restaurant featured a patio that was expanded during the pandemic. The eatery closed about four years ago, but its owners now serve similar Italian fare at Mr. Pizza and Pasta in New Springville. Community Board 1
Long-time Staten Islanders may remember the site as Tina’s, and later Waterfalls Italian restaurant. The latter’s name was inspired by the stream that runs through the property and flows toward the Kill Van Kull.
The committee voted to support the McDonald’s development, with the requirement that the 24-hour restriction be formally documented in the approval. Community Board votes are not binding, but are recommendations to the City Council.
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