CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Parents are worried about children's safety now that a McDonald's has opened across the street from a south Charlotte middle school.
block -- exactly what parents like Maria Smithson worried about.
"We knew that they would run across, as we're watching, and dart in and out of traffic to get to the McDonald's. It was our grave concern and now we're frightened. We're absolutely frightened because they're doing it in mass," she said.
During the design phase, the developer promised to build a fence on school property to try to keep students from darting into traffic.
"That is supposed to have happened and it was supposed to be in place all the way around so it would've been harder for the kids. They would've had to scale it," said Smithson.
But now, the developer said this about that fence, "We pursued several times getting approval through CMS and the school system ultimately decided to not accept the offer."
When Eyewitness News asked CMS about it, district leaders said they discussed adding the fencing along Park Road, but decided the existing fence is adequate.
But parents have said until there is something more: students will continue chancing it to cross the road.
"It's just a matter of time until a tragedy happens and we need this to be fixed," said Smithson.
A group of neighbors and parents now plan to ask city leaders if they can do anything.
The owner of the McDonald's had $75,000 in escrow to be used for a stoplight if the Department of Transportation allows it.
For now the school has reached out to students and parents – reminding them to use the crosswalk.
WSOC
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