The normal “way of the world” is for a business person to approach a city’s leaders about opening a bowling center. There typically are forms to fill out, fees to be paid, requirements to be met and, in general, hoops to be jumped through.
But such is not the case in Evanston, an Illinois community north of Chicago that’s best known as the home of Northwestern University. There, civic leaders are seeking a qualified individual/operator to transform the city’s former recycling center into a “destination-oriented use.”
They envision dining and entertainment options, and Alderwoman Ann Rainey has stated publicly that she hopes the entertainment option turns out to be bowling.
The size of the facility — 13,500 square feet — would limit the number of lanes, so any proposed project would be more likely to resemble a “bowling lounge” than a bowling-based family entertainment center.
“The one thing this town does not have is a bowling alley,” Rainey told the Pioneer Press.
Plans call for the Evanston City Council to review development proposals in September, with an eye toward selecting the development team this fall.
You can read the full Pioneer Press report here: http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/news/ct-evr-bowlsite-tl-0410-20150409-story.html
