Dunkin' Donuts, Papa John's coming to Norwalk?

There has been much talk lately about businesses showing interest in Norwalk.About 99 percent of the time, if a business chooses the Maple City, it will submit building plans at city hall.Josh Snyder, Norwalk public works director, was asked Wednesday about existing plans and potential business plans.The first was Dunkin' Donuts, which has long-been rumored to be setting up shop on the new Republic Street extension on the city's north side."We have not seen anything on Dunkin' Donuts," Snyder said. "We'd love to have those plans, but we don't."We look forward to all development," he added. "We love plans reviews. It's an exciting time for us. General services and the fire department also get involved."Snyder was asked about the possible re-build of Marco's Pizza, which was destroyed by fire earlier this year."The last we heard there was a level of interest in having a drive-thru there," he said, adding the business owner asked Snyder about any traffic concerns a drive-thru could create. A Marco's re-build wouldn't have to go through city hall, according to Snyder."We might see the plans more for courtesy and then forward it on to Richland County for commercial inspection," he said. "That complex is private property."Snyder said the owner of the property behind Bob Evans is also "open to development ideas."Mayor Rob Duncan announced in November that Pat Catan's will be moving into the former Giant Eagle on Whittlesey Avenue."We've not seen any plans, yet, on Pat Catan's," Snyder said.Snyder said the business rumors are never-ending."One of the big rumors is Rural King moving into the old Kmart," he said.Jeff Hipp, president of Maple City Builders, owns the former Kmart."That's news to me," he said. Hipp said the former Kmart is in "pretty decent shape" and he is working on a plan for development."Again, there are all kinds of rumors," Snyder said. "There has been interest in the old Kroger property near where Lefty Grove plays."There has also been talk about a Papa John's moving to town," he said. "I'd say about one in 100 rumors pans out."He did see preliminary plans for the coffee shop planned for 147 Milan Ave., but nothing lately after the re-zoning was approved.When he sees design plans, Snyder knows a business is serious."When they spend the time and money on the thought, design and survey, that's when I get excited," he said. "Before that, I don't get too excited."Josh Snyder