Tim Hortons will build drive-thru on State Street in Ann Arbor

"It's a great improvement to what is right now a vacant piece of property," remarked Council Member Tony Derezinski, D-2nd Ward.

The site plan, submitted in September, calls for demolishing the existing 9,558-square-foot building and constructing a 1,953-square-foot restaurant with drive-thru facilities.

Plans include a parking lot with 21 parking spaces and four bicycle hoops. The plans will leave the property owner, First Martin Corporation, with room to build a second retail building on the site.

Tim Hortons also has announced plans to open a store in Maple Village on the site of the former Golden Chef Restaurant, which was destroyed by fire in 2006. Site plans for that location have not been submitted to the city yet.

Eric Ramsey, real estate manager for Tim Hortons, said in a previous report the company is choosing from franchise applicants to operate the stores.

The Ontario-based chain has more than 3,800 stores, including stores on Michigan Avenue in Ypsilanti Township and Michigan Avenue in Saline.

Sources told AnnArbor.com last month Tim Hortons' deal to move into the downtown space currently occupied by the lab coffee shop had unraveled.