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LINCOLN, Neb. – Earlier this week the Lincoln City Council approved a measure that will allow restaurant chain Taco Bell to open a new location inside a former Taco Bell building along U.S. Route 34 near Interstate 80. City leaders describe the effort as a “solution that makes sense” for the building abandoned by fast food conglomerate Taco Bell three years ago.

When Taco Bell abandoned Lincoln, many in the community raised questions about what would occupy the empty building and where they would go for an authentic Mexican food experience, but the opening of a Taco Bell restaurant in the former Taco Bell building figures to quell those concerns. The city council voted 18-3 to allow Taco Bell to move into the former Taco Bell location tax-free for two years in an effort to improve the city’s north-side commerce.

“Certainly, the city was upset when Taco Bell left in 2005 after they had agreed to remain in Lincoln until 2010, but we’re pleased that Taco Bell has stepped in to fill an otherwise useless eyesore,” said Lincoln mayor Chris Beutler, who championed the effort to bring in a tenant to fill the structure Taco Bell left behind. “And this makes for a nice solution because Lincoln does not currently have a Taco Bell.”

Many in Lincoln drove by the empty building each day on their way to other fast food restaurants or gas stations and hoped for a solution to the unsightly structure. “With the nice new Mobil station across the street and the renovated Blockbuster right next to it, that old Taco Bell really ruined the ambiance on that stretch of [Route] 34,” said Tom Elledge, concerned resident and automotive technician at the Midas near the former Mexican cuisine eatery. “It will be nice to see them put down a nice new blacktop in the parking lot, and I’ll have another quality option for lunch.”

Taco Bell is equally excited about the opportunity to serve the city of Lincoln and surrounding Lancaster County.

“We are so happy the people here are welcoming our new store, and the building is well-suited to coincide with the nature of our operations,” said Donnie Higgason, Taco Bell regional marketing manager. “I know the previous tenant could not make enough money to operate out of this location, but I’m confident Taco Bell will thrive here.”