Bowling alleys and Artspaces
According to the Ballard News-Tribune, the developers who are building in the Sunset Bowl space are not entirely against the idea of putting a bowling alley in their new building [BNT] They’re not saying it’s definitely going to happen or anything, but they’re looking into it:
“We are definitely open to considering a bowling operation in our development,” said Fritz. “We’re not bowling operators, per say … but we are open to learning about what it will take.”
Avalon will also evaluate whether the bowling alley could remain open for business until they are ready to break ground, which is scheduled for summer 2009. But Fritz said the day-to-day operations would have to be managed by the community.
I know that lots and lots of Ballard residents and other area bowling enthusiasts have been real sad about the demise of the Sunset, so it’s nice that the developer is at least thinking about what the community wants, although people who object to having a bar on the bottom floor of their building would probably really hate a 24-hour bowling alley in the basement.
And down in the Central District, Artspace has opened the Hiawatha Lofts, 61 studios of live/work space. These are the same people that developed the excelled T.K. Lofts in Pioneer Square, which is always one of the best buildings to visit on a first Thursday. I even once took a ballet class in the community room there. (Just one, though. I’m not very graceful.)
To live in a studio, one person cannot earn more than $34,200 a year. A two-person household cannot earn more than $39,060 per year. The monthly rent for a 830-square-foot one-bedroom unit ranges from $527 to $819. A two-bedroom unit of 1,050 square feet costs from $621 to $971 per month [PI].
Most of the spaces have already been rented.
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Couldn’t they build the new condos with underground parking, a bowling alley & restaurant/bar on the first floor, maybe more retail space on the second floor as a noise buffer (all of which could be designated as "must be closed" after, say, 6 pm) — or better yet, gym, pool, concierge, lobby, laundry, resident/community "whatever" space — and then condos above? Then Ballard would get to keep its bowling alley and 24 hr restaurant, the residents get space that’s presumably no more noisy than any other residential space in an area with active nightlife, and who wouldn’t want to live over a 24 hr bowling alley and restaurant? Can’t sleep? Go downstairs in your PJs and bowl a couple of games!
However, keep in mind the conflict of having a bowling alley right below a living space. Bowling balls don’t roll down a lane or strike the pins quietly. Multiply that by however many lanes a new alley would have, plus the typical noise of a social environment, and I don’t even think a floor of quiet space would be enough of a buffer for the lowest levels of condos, especially if said condo owners ever have their windows open.
That’s a nice idea, and it’s not practical.