Do you know the old Jon Anthony Florist building on Michigan Avenue? This old building could be torn down to make way for a fast-food chain restaurant.
A Lansing Landmark With Decades of History
Jon Anthony was in business at 809 E Michigan Avenue for 80 years, and the building itself is nearly 100 years old. That history could be demolished to make way for a McDonald’s.
At this time, the sale has not yet been finalized. While McDonald’s is under contract to purchase the property, its initial request was denied by Lansing’s Zoning Board of Appeals in a 6 to 1 vote in December 2025.
City staff “fully expect” McDonald’s to submit a new request, but this hasn’t happened yet. It’s likely they are working to address the six discrepancies the initial request had with zoning ordinances.
Why McDonald’s Initial Plan Was Denied
Issues include:
- The planned building was one-story tall, as opposed to the required two stories
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The building would not occupy the first 20 feet of the site along East Michigan Avenue
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It would not have a front entrance facing East Michigan Avenue
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The proposed drive-through would lead onto North Hosmer Street, a local street
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The site plan would exceed the maximum allowable number of permitted parking spaces by one space
For these reasons and more, the proposed building plan was denied…