Planning Commission approves plans for University Avenue Sonic

Published 6:36 pm Friday, November 16, 2018

Sonic Drive-Ins keep their promises.

The City of Oxford’s Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve plans to rebuild the Sonic on University Avenue, fulfilling the promise the drive-in made last June when its sign read it “would be back.”

The commission unanimously approved the plans, which the Courthouse Square Historic Preservation Commission meticulously recommended the road signed be shortened to at least 18 feet tall.

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Last June, Sonic presented plans to rebuild the fast foot restaurant on University. The proposed plans to rebuild the University Avenue Sonic redesigned it to be more modern while trying to keep the nostalgic aesthetic, which made it beloved to Oxford.

The plans specifically detailed a “retro-iconic architectural design that is rooted in the 1920’s Art Deco style” for the drive-in. However, it will also include a major change, as the structure will now feature a driveway between the patio and the public sidewalk.

This makes it safer for cars to drive around the restaurant, as previously customers had to turn back onto University Avenue if they wanted to get to the other side of the drive-in

The University Avenue location was originally closed because the City Planning department said it was “past its anticipated life expectancy” in a report.