Renovations underway at Ypsilanti McDonald's
The McDonald’s on Ecorse Road in Ypsilanti is undergoing renovations that will include adding a second ordering board and constructing a stone facade. The renovations come a few months after receiving approval from the city's planning commission to move forward.
Monique Vann-Brown, the McDonald's owner and operator, said it will remain open during the renovations, which will be completed by mid-May.
The McDonald's at 16 Ecorse Road in Ypsilanti is adding a second ordering board and a new stone facade.
Paula Gardner | AnnArbor.com
On Sept. 9 2012, McDonald’s, represented by Greg Lautzenheiser of L+A Architects, submitted a site plan approval request to construct an additional ordering board and reduce its number of parking spaces.
The 5,000-square-foot restaurant, at 16 Ecorse Road, sits on about one acre of land on the southwest corner of Ecorse and Michigan Avenue, east of Center Street.
The restaurant has one stand-alone ordering station with 37 parking spaces. McDonald's applied to reduce the number of parking spaces to 32 and construct an additional stand-alone ordering board.
The existing drive thru is directly to the south of the building, but the additional order station will require both to be located slightly to the southwest side.
The property initially went through a full site plan review as part of a full site “scrape and rebuild” in 2004 and 2005, but only minor modifications will take place at this time. It's unclear if more renovations will occur over time.
In addition to the ordering board and reduction in parking spaces, a stone facade also is being constructed.
City staff said the addition of the order station requires the parking space removal and the stone facade construction will require work to the foundation.
Lautzenheiser told the city that McDonald's will also add new landscaping details to the location, such as new trees and the Center Street pedestrian ramp will be revamped.
The assessed value of the building is $316,100, making its market value $632,200. The property was purchased in 1979 for $200,000 by Franchise Realty Interstate Corp., according to city records.
"At McDonald's, we are committed to meeting the changing needs of our customers, and providing them freshly prepared, quality food served in an environment that is modern, enjoyable and comfortable," Vann-Brown said in a statement. "We hope that people in the community enjoy the contemporary updates designed to enhance the customer experience."
Katrease Stafford covers Ypsilanti for AnnArbor.com.Reach her at katreasestafford@annarbor.com or 734-623-2548 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
hawkhulk
Thu, May 2, 2013 : 5:37 a.m.
All that is well and good, but the biggest renovation would be company wide, to their menu; it is awful.
dading dont delete me bro
Thu, May 2, 2013 : 2:06 a.m.
does it include employees **not** putting bills in their mouths while making change? #ewethatsdisgusting.com
Nicholas Urfe
Thu, May 2, 2013 : 12:40 a.m.
I was hoping they'd announce a super-size play center. Guess I'll stick with Arby's. Pass the horse sauce.
obviouscomment
Wed, May 1, 2013 : 10:47 p.m.
I've noticed the double order boards going in at a number of the McDonalds in our area. They seem to work well most of the time. But it seems that it takes the staff a while to get the hang of it. When they first put it in at the McDonalds on James L Hart Pkwy I kept getting the wrong food and still if the drive thru is a little busy they ask me at the window what my order was because they get them confused. Although it would also help if customers didn't race each other trying to get in front of the car from the other side.
dading dont delete me bro
Thu, May 2, 2013 : 2:08 a.m.
i was kind of upset last week when i got a two cheeseburger meal instead of my mcchicken, but it all comes out the same window. #nobigdeal
spg
Wed, May 1, 2013 : 8:39 p.m.
Sorry Faygo, but this is local new and this is a local news website so it is quote appropriate right where it is. Thanks for the predictable post, though. As to Monique Vann-Brown, she is first class all the way and I give her a big thank you for investing in the east side of Ypsilanti instead of running away...
Gretchen Ridenour
Wed, May 1, 2013 : 8:37 p.m.
I frequent this store regularly for my morning Diet Coke. The second ordering board will not help decrease line at the drive-thu unless the food is ready when you get to the second window. The drive-thru would also be a more pleasant experience if there wasn't a very loud (almost shouting) greeting to announce the specials. Specials mean nothing to most of us unless there is a special price attached. Thanks!
Faygo
Wed, May 1, 2013 : 8:33 p.m.
Another benefit of online news. 15 years ago you might have had to "stop the presses" to get this story on the front page!