The Lansing Zoning Board of Appeals has approved a new site plan that allows McDonald’s to move forward with plans to develop the property located at the former Jon Anthony Florist building on Michigan Avenue.
This decision removes a major obstacle for the fast-food chain, which has been working to secure the site since interest in the property first surfaced in December 2025. The previous attempt to secure the necessary zoning changes was rejected by the board due to the project requiring “several variances to Lansing’s zoning ordinance.”
The newly approved site plan reduces the number of requested changes, requiring only one variance to proceed. The board granted a concession to permit a driveway on North Hosmer Street, a move that facilitates the development of the new location.
Once the sale of the property is finalized, the existing structure will be demolished to make way for the new restaurant. Current expectations suggest that McDonald’s will close on the property by the end of this year.
The site has remained vacant since June 2025, when Jon Anthony Florist, a local business that had operated in the community for 84 years, officially closed its doors. The transition from a long-standing local institution to a corporate franchise has met with resistance from some members of the Greater Lansing public, who have expressed a desire to see the building preserved as a local landmark.
| Event | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jon Anthony Florist Closure | June 2025 | Completed |
| Initial Zoning Request | December 2025 | Denied |
| New Site Plan Approval | Current | Approved |
| Expected Property Sale | By year-end | Pending |
The approval of the revised plan, which focuses on a single variance for the North Hosmer Street driveway, marks the final major regulatory step for the project. Following the completion of the sale and the subsequent demolition, construction of the McDonald’s location is expected to begin.
