KALAMAZOO, MI — The McDonald’s that has been a fixture of downtown Kalamazoo for decades has closed its doors to make way for a new development.

A demolition company put up barriers to surround the McDonald’s at 224 W. Kalamazoo Ave., seen on Thursday, Oct. 2.

Kalamazoo County recently announced it was purchasing the plot of land where the restaurant sits, for $9 million.

With the purchase, the county plans to upsize its administration building, from the current 60,000 square feet of useable space at the current building, up to a new and larger facility.

The county will use the McDonald’s site and other adjacent land it owns to build the new building on, officials said.

A study determined the county needs at least 120,000 square feet to adequately serve the growing community and work

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