New owners plan upgrades to Bel-Mark bowling alley on Jackson Road
"You won't recognize the place when we're done," new owner Bob Smoltz said.
Smoltz said his sons Marc and Craig will operate the alley. The family has owned and operated Ford Lanes in Dearborn Heights for five decades and over three generations.
"We're here for the long term," Marc Smoltz added.
The 35,000-square-foot building on  4.6 acres was listed for sale by previous owners Ron Cockfield, Jim Moceri and several of their family members late last year. The asking price was $3.5 million at the time, and the property - located just west of Wagner Road in Scio Township - was marketed as a redevelopment opportunity for large retailers.
According to township records, an LLC associated with the Smoltzes paid $1 million for the property in a sale that closed Aug. 25.
Jim Porth, one of the brokers for Thomas A. Duke Co. who represented the sellers, said the recession simply chased potential redevelopers out of the market.
"There just isn't any money out there" for large redevelopment projects, he said.
The Smoltzes were represented in the transaction by Sandy Hansell & Associates, a Southfield firm that specializes in bowling alleys.
Bob Smoltz declined to speculate on whether he would have paid more for the bowling alley in a stronger real estate market.Â
But Marc Smoltz said the economy hasn't dramatically curtailed the number of people that bowl. According to the United States Bowling Congress, Michigan has the highest numbers of adult bowling league members at 192,320 as of last summer.
"Bowling is still affordable entertainment," Marc Smoltz said.
Bob Smoltz said Bel-Mark's proximity to the Goodrich Quality 16 movie theater, I-94 and the University of Michigan were all factors that attracted the family to purchasing the bowling alley. He said he's enlisted the help of Dynamic Designs & Associates of Birmingham, a design company that focuses on restaurants, bars and family entertainment centers.
Marc said the extensive upgrades at Ford Lanes -- which include pizzeria-style pizza ovens and room for corporate and fund-raising events -- will be duplicated at Belmark.
"We see the same opportunities here that we accomplished at Ford Lanes," he said.
Photo by Dan Meisler | Marc Smoltz, left, and his father Bob Smoltz are planning extensive upgrades to the Bel-Mark bowling alley on Jackson Road west of Ann Arbor.
Freelance reporter Dan Meisler can be reached at danmeisler@gmail.com.
Comments
bill
Wed, Sep 16, 2009 : 10:19 p.m.
I HAVE BEEN BOWLING AT FORD LANES SENT 1974 IF THEY CAN (i know they will) make bel mark look the same way ford lanes looks its going to be a great place to go, and have a great time.
jlkddd
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 10:21 a.m.
The last time I was there...labor day weekend...there were no ashtrays on the tables so I'm thinking that your wishes have come true and it is a smoke free place now. You're probably still allowed to smoke in the bar though. I hope they would keep $1 games on Monday-Thursday after 9pm though...maybe a couple other deals too???
AMGoBlue
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 9:27 a.m.
Colonial Lanes has smoke-free family bowling so we have avoided Bel-Mark. It would be nice if the new owners did the same. A little friendly competition on that level would be great!
wacky_walrus
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 8:50 a.m.
yes yes yes please go smoke free. I loved bowling as a kid, but the smoke factor is the main reason I very rarely bowl anymore.
Indicat
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 6:01 a.m.
Another vote for smoke-free. I could see high school teams bowling there, as well as families. Every time my teen-aged son bowls there, we talk about how awesome it would be to have a smoke-free bowling alley.
nunya
Sun, Sep 13, 2009 : 10:38 p.m.
Another vote for smoke free. Bowling is always promoted as a great family activity but most places are really just smoke filled dirty bars that have bowling. Family = NO SMOKING!
roadsidedinerlover
Sun, Sep 13, 2009 : 9:30 p.m.
I say Smoke Free as well! Also if the new owners will make the lanes barrier free, PLEASE make the front doors barrier free as well. As someone who has a handicapped family member, it is SO freaking hard to get into SO many store's front doors. One of them is the neighbor, Goodrich Quality 16!I could name so many others in Washtenaw County! How about some cool glow bowl nights?
Anonymous Commentor
Sun, Sep 13, 2009 : 9:24 p.m.
I second Tom's comment: I'd go there more often if it were smoke free (and if they accepted credit cards). I'm looking forward to seeing what the new owners do with the place.
Catgil13
Sun, Sep 13, 2009 : 3:49 p.m.
As a league bowler at Belmark for 20+ years I was unable to bowl this year due to the lack of upkeep. I have met the new owners and they really have some positive plans to make the alley a fun, friendly and family orientated place it was a few years ago. I hope to be able to come back as the Jackson 12 Ladies League Thursday nights starting at 6:35. Yes I was one of the officers on the league and I would love to see us return.
Tom Whitaker
Sun, Sep 13, 2009 : 9:56 a.m.
We've taken our kids to Belmark several times and usually had a good time, but haven't been motivated to go back. Problem is, the entire family leaves the building smelling like dirty ashtrays. I hope the renovations will be accompanied by a new smoke-free policy. It'd be a shame for all the new carpet and ceiling tile to be immediately stained by nicotine and contaminated by cigarette smoke odor. Families would flock here if it was clean and smoke-free.