The property at 1660 N. First St., Hermiston, is empty Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, but soon could house a Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen restaurant.

While driving down Highway 395, Hermiston residents may have noticed construction activity taking place.

The city has received plans to bring no life to the the former Alvarez Auto Sales at 1660 N. First St. as a Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen. Staff reports available online from a June 8 chamber meeting show Craig Gilbert, on behalf of Ambrosia QSR, has filed documents to the city of Hermiston Planning Commission to build the new restaurant.

Ambrosia QSR is a Vancouver, Washington-based company that partners with Popeyes and Burger King brands. This would be their first location in Eastern Oregon.

The 80,000-square foot parcel, the site of the proposal for the 2,536-square-foot restaurant, has not yet been sold as specifics are worked out, according to the documents. Part of the trouble is the proposed drive-thru window, which is normally required to be 20 feet away from the road. The variance request points out that the nearby Dairy Queen restaurant, however, sits closer.

“The Oregon Department of Transportation has been working with the applicant and the city to best develop the access plan for the site,” the documents state. “Several iterations of site development have been reviewed and evaluated.”

The variance was recommended to be approved, paving the way for the Popeyes location to be put in. Craig Gilbert declined to comment on the construction.