DANVILLE, IL (Chambana Today) — Representatives for the Chick- Fil-A franchise have made formal plans to build a new restaurant, at the former Red Lobster location at 3217 N. Vermilion Street, by officially signing a lease with the City of Danville for that property.

According to Mayor Rickey Williams Jr., a period of due diligence it set forth allowing developers to possibly still reconsider. As for now, plans are going forward, while the city looks over architectural plans. Red Lobster has been vacant since it closed in May of 2024 without notice.

Williams said that at this point, formal plans for construction and opening have not been made. However, within the next month or two, the city will be demolishing the old Red Lobster building in preparation at a cost of about $80,000. The developer has had to provide proof that the new facility has been leased out for at least 10 years. The City of Danville will reimburse the developer $300,000 for costs associated for the development. Williams is hoping that this project will help kick-start more new development in the area.

“With land being purchased and the lease being signed, Williams said that plans for the new restaurant will be for a sizable restaurant. “Right now we are going over preliminary building plans and after demo is finished, we will be looking at construction.” He also noted that Chick-Fil-A is one of the more difficult franchises to get in the country.