Panera Bread would like to open a location in Athens, but it could depend on the City Council’s willingness to provide incentives for the project.

At the council’s Aug. 13 meeting, the council will consider a resolution to approve an incentive agreement with RPI One-Athens LLC, which plans to develop the restaurant at 1323 U.S. 72 East, on the lot between the Super 8 Express motel and Mister Car Wash.

Popeye’s had previously considered building its new restaurant there before ultimately deciding on a lot at the intersection of U.S. 72 and South Houston Street.

Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks on Tuesday said he hopes the council approves the project. He added the city had been working on the project “for a number of months.”

“We’ve been working hard to keep our quality of restaurants up,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of feedback and some have mentioned wanting a Panera.”

Marks said it’s possible the fate of the project hinges on the council’s vote.

“I received an email (from the developer) and he’s ready to roll, but they have to have some buy in,” the mayor said. “It was indicated to me (the incentive) is an important part of them going forward.”

Incentive proposal

According to the resolution to be considered by the council, it is believed the 7,000-square-foot restaurant will promote economic development, create 40 new jobs and “offer a unique and attractive dining experience to the City’s citizens and visitors … .”

According to a legal announcement scheduled to published in Friday’s edition of The News Courier, the project agreement stipulates the city would pay RPI One-Athens LLC $250,000 in sales tax proceeds. Those payment obligations would be “conditioned upon the operation of the restaurant as described in the project agreement. … The obligation of the City in this regard would be evidenced by the issuance of a warrant,” the announcement said.

It’s not the first time the council has been approached about providing incentives. The developers of Popeye’s sought $80,000 in incentives when the lot between the motel and car wash was in consideration.

In October 2015, the council voted 4-1 to provide $220,000 in retail incentives to Eastside Junction LLC, which was developing a Buffalo Wild Wings-anchored shopping center. Councilman Joseph Cannon was the lone dissenting vote.