Putting pressure on McDonald’s, DeWitt hopes to finish deal at former Howard Johnson’s

“The Town of DeWitt says it may pursue eminent domain against McDonald’s in order to complete new hotels at the former Howard Johnson site at Carrier Circle.

The old abandoned hotel has been a lightning rod for complaints in the town.

The fast-food chain has objected to a new hotel location at the site because it could present competition.

The town says it would rather successfully negotiate with McDonald’s, instead of acquiring the property through eminent domain.

“They’re going to sell more hamburgers. Right now, it’s a blighted area and there’s potentially two hotels that are going to move into the property. So maybe an extra 80, 100, 200 people a night staying next door. So proportion of that is going to increase their business,” said Town of DeWitt Supervisor Ed Michalenko.”

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Local SYR.com 22 September 2014.