Burger Kings Gets OK to Build on West Jericho Turnpike

A vacant Wendy's in Smithtown that became a haven for graffiti artists is getting cleaned up and rebuilt into a Burger King. 

Developer DiCanio Management Corp of Smithtown received a special exception permit from Smithtown's Board of Zoning Appeals to construct a Burger King at 942 West Jericho Turnpike, along with several sign variance to direct traffic and display its menu, Newsday reports. 

The proposed plans for Burger King call for an approximately 3,500-square-foot counter service restaurant with indoor seating for 49 customers. This is smaller than the previously plans for a 3,610-square-foot Wendy's, which the Board of Zoning Appeals approved back in 2011. 

But Wendy's never fired up its grill, leaving the vacant building to become a haven for graffiti artists overgrown by weeds. 

Vincent DiCanio told Patch in January 2013 the reason Wendy's never opened was due to problems with the sanitation system. DiCanio Management has since taken steps with the town to remedy the sanitation system problem by submitting a new site plan with a new sanitation system. 

DiCanio said he is looking forward to construction with an opening date this spring. 

Read more on Newsday [subscription required] about Burger King getting approval to build in Smithtown.