One of Whitehall Township’s long-vacant tracts, at MacArthur and Mechanicsville roads, will soon have golden arches on the site.

Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. has confirmed that McDonald’s has given notice that it plans to bring its hamburger restaurant to that location, where decades ago Impy’s Mickley Hotel once stood.

Hozza confirmed that McDonald’s will have to go before the township planning commission and then the board of commissioners before any groundbreaking can occur.

McDonald’s will close the restaurant it currently has operating just south of the MacArthur and Mechanicsville roads intersection. The McDonald’s location near the Whitehall Mall will remain and is not affected by the changes.

There had been speculation that Pizza Hut might build an eatery at MacArthur and Mechanicsville roads, but plans never materialized.

However, Pizza Hut is indeed coming back to the area. According to Hozza, Pizza Hut is expected to move into the building earlier occupied by Staples at Schadt Avenue and MacArthur Road. The site will be mainly a carry-out business.