SPRINGFIELD — McDonald’s is expected to spend up to $3.2 million as it completes renovations to its four local restaurants.

The company is modernizing its Springfield-area restaurants. Renovations began at its 2994 Derr Road location this week, and a complete remodel is being planned for the 1160 Upper Valley Pike location.

“It’s about creating this contemporary, fresh, welcoming atmosphere for our customers, whether they come through the drive-through or decide to hang out in our lobby,” said Phil Saken, the Ohio region communications manager for McDonald’s.

The four locations in Springfield have more than 220 employees.

Horton Hobbs, Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce vice president, said it’s positive to see McDonald’s reinvesting in the community.

He also said the new buildings update the look of the areas in which they’ve been renovated.

“(McDonald’s) is an anchor to those neighborhoods for a lot of folks,” Hobbs said. “It’ll help bolster the activity on Upper Valley Pike and the rest of the neighborhoods they’re located.”

The remodeling on Derr Road, which began Monday, is expected to cost $400,000, according to city permit records. The interior, exterior and drive-through lanes will be updated.

The store closed its drive-through on Monday and hopes to reopen in three weeks. When the drive-through re-opens, the lobby will close for more renovations.

“The goal is to minimize the inconvenience,” Saken said. “If there are closures needed, it’s to be able to advance the construction project quickly so we can get up and running in our new and contemporary look and feel.”

Mark Hertel, the Ohio region development director for McDonald’s, said the location at 1160 Upper Valley Pike will be torn down and rebuilt. The store will likely close for 100 to 110 days, Hertel said, but development plans are still being finalized.

“If everything goes well in terms of permitting, we may get to that this year,” Hertel said.

Saken estimated the cost to demolish and rebuild the McDonald’s will be between $1 and $2 million.

Saken said the outdoor play land at McDonald’s will be removed as the company moves towards bringing all of their play lands indoors.

“We want customers to be able to enjoy them 12 months a year,” Saken said.

They’re still deciding whether or not the Upper Valley Pike location will have a play land.

McDonald’s is updating more than 60 restaurants this year in the Ohio region, which includes more than 700 locations in five states.

McDonald’s recently renovated two other locations in the Springfield area. The location at 2328 E. Main St. was recently remodeled as part of a $600,000 project which updated the interior, exterior at the drive-through.

In 2011, McDonald’s made a $254,000 investment to update the 2210 S. Limestone St. location.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0366.