Brownfield option brings Sonic to Lansing

By Mark Bashore, WKAR

LANSING, MI –

A dilapidated former hotel in South Lansing will become the site of the area's first Sonic Drive-In.

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The Michigan Economic Development Corporation has approved a Brownfield redevelopment request that will capture $374,000 in tax revenue to start work on the 50's style drive-in. Ken Szymusiak manages development in South Lansing for the Lansing Economic Development Corporation. He says Brownfield projects play a critical role in the area's economic development:

"Without Brownfield tools, the redevelopment of these sights is just about impossible just due to the backward nature of increased expenses .demolition and asbestos abatement .and some of the things that are tough on older properties," he says.

The drive-in will occupy about one-third of the site of the former Governor's Inn on Ramada Drive. A Sonic executive says it plans to employ about 70 people, over half full-time.