As a matter of fact, there is. It appears Popeye’s is moving ahead with plans to construct a restaurant at 1300 S.E. Washington Blvd. — the site of the former Sooner Motel — pending preliminary plat approval by the City Planning Commission during a meeting set for 5:30 p.m. tomorrow (Dec. 15) as well as final approval by the City Council.
City Beat readers may recall information announcing the restaurant was planning to locate in Bartlesville in 2018 when the City Council approved funds to be spent (through the Bartlesville Development Authority) to demolish the former Sooner Motel building to make way for the Popeye’s construction.
The property has remained vacant since the demolition due to delays with the project — with the company saying in 2019 it would not locate in Bartlesville after all — but it appears the popular restaurant chain is again gearing up for construction.
Community Development Department officials say the department has not yet received construction plans, but staff reports for the CPC meeting on Tuesday indicate SmitCo Eateries Inc. has filed for preliminary plat approval of 1.26 acres at the former Sooner Motel location for the development of a two-lot commercial subdivision to be known as Red Letters Subdivision.
“SmitCo is ready to move forward with construction of a Popeye’s restaurant on one of the two parcels that make up the proposed plat,” the staff report states.
The restaurant will occupy the lot at the corner of Washington Boulevard and Woodland Loop. No particular occupant has been identified for the separate, more southern commercial lot.
City Planning Commission and City Council meetings are open to the public and may be livestreamed on the City’s webcast. Visit www.cityofbartlesville.org for more information.