OKEMOS – Panda Express is proposing a new location on Marsh Road, currently home to a long-time family-owned jewelry store.
The international fast-casual restaurant chain wants to build a new location at 4990 Marsh Road. The 2.2-acre property near the Meridian Mall is home to Wheat Jewelers, which has been in business for more than 40 years, according to its website.
According to township records, the Meridian Township Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposal on Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the town hall room of the Meridian Municipal Building, located at 5151 Marsh Road.
Panda Restaurant Group, Inc., the California company that owns the Chinese restaurant chain, did not respond to an email from the State Journal this week.
Panda Express is seeking a special use permit and “proposes to build a drive-through for a new restaurant on the property,” according to a city notice. The land is already zoned for commercial use.
The property has been on the market for about 18 months, said Todd Kosta, senior vice president at Woodworth Commercial. The real estate company represents the property owner, he said. He declined to comment on the restaurant chain’s proposal, citing a confidentiality agreement with the company.
It’s for sale for just under $1.7 million and is being marketed as “a redevelopment opportunity,” according to a real estate listing.
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The timeline for approval of the special use permit is unclear. Amber Clark, the city’s director of neighborhoods and economic development, did not immediately respond to questions about the proposal or the process.
Panda Express operates a handful of locations in the Lansing area, including restaurants in Delta Township, East Lansing, Lansing and Lansing Township. The most recent location opened in the spring on Preyede Boulevard near the Eastwood Towne Center.
The company opened its first restaurant in 1983 in California. It now operates more than 2,000 locations, according to its website.
Contact reporter Rachel Greco at rgreco@lsj.com. Follow her on X @GrecoatLSJ .
This article originally appeared in Lansing State Journal: Panda Express debuts new restaurant in Okemos
