Taco Bell Getting Massive Overhaul on Detroit Avenue

It took a couple of months to get there, but the designs for the proposed Taco Bell overhaul on Detroit Avenue look less like a hacienda and more like a pedestrian-friendly and architecturally sensitive building to Lakewood.

Think shaded bricks, enclosed trashcans and toned-down signs and colors.

Those are a few of the typical revisions offered by the city’s architectural board of review, which placed its stamp of approval on the plans on Thursday.

“You were sensitive to a key corner in Lakewood,” said board member Carl Orban, also pointing out the architects are the same folks who had worked on the new McDonalds just west on Detroit Avenue.

“Nothing is ever perfect but this is a lot better than the black and white prototype that we (initially received),” added board chairman Michael Molinski.

Jim Larsen, the architect representing Taco Bell, presented revised plans to the city’s architectural board of review on Thursday.

Larsen said he wanted to design a building with respect to the surrounding historic architecture in Lakewood — and he also gave a nod to Kauffman Park.

“This says ‘welcome here,’” Larsen said. “That’s what makes us different, this historically influenced architecture.”

A few neighbors also attended the hearing to support the new Taco Bell design.

Tim Laskey, a long-time Lakewood accountant who owns the building next door, told the board that the property will “be a great improvement to the area.”

“This enhanced structure will increase my property value,” he said. “Taco Bell has been a good neighbor… I totally support this project.”