You Said It: Proposed McDonald's at Mack/Canyon

Residents and business owners are anxiously for the weed-choked former Lochmoor Chrysler car dealership. 

The decision is still weeks away as officials continue gathering information about the proposed fast food restaurant, its orientation on the lot and the recommendation by the Detroit Planning Department.

This week Patch took a walk along Mack Avenue across the street from the proposed site and talked with business owners, employees and residents on Moran and McKinley roads.

Among the dozens who answered--some briefly and others at more length--only one was in favor of having the restaurant locate at the intersection of Mack Avenue and Canyon Street but she declined to share her opinion on camera or by name. 

Among the chief concerns by Farms officials, residents and business owners are:

• Traffic--putting a business heavily based in drive-thru sales in essentially a residential area not equipped to handle the traffic
• Noise--especially during the nighttime cycle of the 24-hour operation
• Litter--not only on the property itself but also the nearby community
• Crime--targeting the restaurant and spilling into Grosse Pointe
• Loitering
• Property Values

Attorneys Gary Wilson and Randall Cain, whose  is at the corner of Mack and Moran facing the former car dealership, said they believe bringing such a restaurant will enhance an already dangerous intersection. Wilson said he often hears horns and squealing tires in the intersection during his workday and adding more traffic is only likely to worsen the conditions.

They also question McDonald's strategy to open a 24-hour restaurant in an essentially residential/neighborhood business area. While there are businesses at that intersection, none are open late and are small locally owned businesses.

"For me that's bad bad corporate policy for McDonald's," Cain said. "They are not taking into consideration the community. They are only looking at corporate greed."

They also believe the restaurant will be a target for crime--a point residents and city officials also brought up during the special land use hearing. One resident even questioned the orientation of the building on the property for the safety aspect of employees because patrolling officers will not be able to easily see inside with the front facing Canyon rather than Mack.

Some of the businesses in the area that could be targeted by robbers already have heavy measures in place. Jet's Pizza, which is a short way down the road, has thick bullet-proof glass separating the employees from the customers. Flagstar Bank, at Mack Avenue and Canyon Street, has a limited entryway that requires the first door to close before the actual doorway into the bank will open. 

Listen to more opinions through the week from Grosse Pointers and share your own below.