Plans call for retail space at former Ypsi-Arbor Bowl
Ypsi-Arbor Bowl could soon be home to two national retailers.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
The former Ypsi-Arbor Bowl could soon become home to at least two national retailers.
According to Ypsilanti Township Building Director Ron Fulton, a sales agreement has been signed between an unnamed developer and the former alley’s owners. But that agreement is contingent on site plan approval.
The plans are expected to be provided to the Ypsilanti Township Planning Commission at its July 24 meeting.
Fulton said the purchasers are tight-lipped about what national retailers would locate there. The building will likely be divided into three retail spaces, he added.
Fulton also said the township’s engineer is continuing to receive inquiries about specifications for the site and the buyer appears serious.
“We know they’re moving forward and we’re anxious to find out what the heck they’re planning on doing there,” he said.
The Washtenaw Avenue alley closed in May of 2011 after 40 years in business. Its manager, Ray Bonkowski, told customers in a letter that the alley had “become a byproduct of tough economic times.”
The property is owned by Frankel Associates, based in Troy, and it’s registered to Samuel Frankel.
The iconic Ypsi-Arbor Bowl sign was bought by a South Dakota sign museum through an auction at auctionbowling.com.
Township officials are eager to see the vacant building redeveloped. An abandoned Dairy Mart on an adjoining parcel on the southeast corner of Washtenaw and Golfisde Road was demolished and a new Happy's Pizza will soon open there.
Comments
Samantha deGeus
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 2:21 p.m.
There is no skating rink in the AnnArbor/Ypsi area. Skating is something fun and affordable for entire families to enjoy. Figure skating, speed skating, in-line skating, roller hockey, and roller derby are things that many Ann Arborites enjoy, but have to travel to Plymouth, Brighton or other surrounding areas to participate in. Skating rinks are great for parties, fundraisers and other events. We need something like this in our county!
sad2leave
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 11:11 a.m.
Not only that, it is a perfect building for a roller rink. It already has a snack bar, a place to put rental skates, bathrooms and plenty of parking. All that would need to be done is, to build a rink..and the building is a perfect size for that. PLEASE reconsider before moving forward with unwanted retail stores!
sad2leave
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 11:06 a.m.
Sam, couldn't agree with you more! If I won the lottery, my first purchase would be the YBA! : )
zanzerbar
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 5:26 p.m.
Should have turned it into Roller Rink,so that all the Roller Derby gals can have a place to practice and compete, and the public to skate.
Frankyhollywood68
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 5:58 p.m.
are you too young to remember 'WOW' (world of wheels) on Platt...it's a church now.
sad2leave
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 11:01 a.m.
Zan, I agree! I heard awhile back that was going to happen..and was really excited. I retired from roller derby, but still skate occasionally. Would love to have a rink close by (I am live in Ypsi) So sad this isn't happening. Lord knows, we don't need any more retail junk that will most likely go under.
djacks24
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 8:06 p.m.
Now why would "the seventies called and wants your idea back" be deleted???
Ben Petiprin
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 5:08 p.m.
I'd like to see them continue with the effort to create a mini Chinatown on that section. You've got the Hua Xing market and that giant Chinese buffet just a few stores down, turn the alley into something related. Otherwise we turn something that was once quintessentially Ypsi into another faceless strip mall. I suggest a Chinese firework warehouse to coincide with the 4th of July.
Ben Petiprin
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 7:26 p.m.
Just a reflex I guess. Adds spice to the argument.
tdw
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 7:20 p.m.
Ben could you please explain what is racist about Joe said ? I have no clue what your'e talking about.I know that area very well I've lived in the neighborhood behind the bowling alley for the best part of 49 years.
Joe
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 6:19 p.m.
ugh. The Washtenaw corridor is FULL of vacant buildings, and you want to pick and choose which businesses and taxpayers get to fill those vacancies? We're lucky ANYONE wants to invest there, heck, we should be paying them. This pie in the sky urban hot spot dream you people have is ridiculous.
treetowncartel
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 4:14 p.m.
National Retailer. Hmm, K-mart is across the street, perhaps a competitor of theirs, or maybe a Rie Aid to compete with the Walgreens and CVS down the road.
Terri Eagen-Torkko
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 2:46 p.m.
I would LOVE to see a full service grocer store there. It's right on the busline and something that's very much needed in Ypsi.
Frankyhollywood68
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 5:56 p.m.
Farmer Jack went chaper 11. they all went under, that store was doing well. I was just thinking that there is a HUGE gap in ypsi for grocer's. you have krogers on the far east side you have the food co-op in ypsi with limited selection and no other store until you hit meijers or krogers on carpenter....pretty bad.
djacks24
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 7:32 p.m.
That would be great as Ypsi and Ypsi towship have pretty slim pickins for groceries. But its more likely to be another restaurant of gas station.
tdw
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 3:44 p.m.
That would be nice but there's a empty Farmer Jacks directly across the street
jbhuron
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 2:13 p.m.
My bet is Dollar General and ALDI...
obviouscomment
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 1:01 a.m.
An Aldi's would be great!
Ron Granger
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 1:12 p.m.
Because Washtenaw needs more strip malls.
Robo
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 6:23 p.m.
"But good try"
tdw
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 6:14 p.m.
jjc...That's Ypsi Twp.East of Golfside is Ypsi Twp west is Pittsfield .The boundary is the middle of Golfside
jjc155
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 5:14 p.m.
@Kalamity, I assume by "City" you mean the City of Ypsilanti? Which actually starts aprox 1 mile EAST of the old Ypsi-Arbor bowl, so not sure what it has to do with the City of Ypsilanti as Ypsi-Arbor is either Pittsfield or Ypsilanti Township, NOT the city. But good try.
tdw
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 3:41 p.m.
Suspect.....we're showing our age
Unusual Suspect
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 2:44 p.m.
"Stop-n Steal" Stop-n-Rob. Steal-n-Wheel. Stab-n-Grab. Shoot-n-loot.
tdw
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 2:28 p.m.
Kalamityjane....Actually as far as the township on that side of town it's been heading west.First there was the Total gas at Hewitt and Washenaw ( you can blame Clinton and Gore for that one.They passed a law that required the use of special underground tanks regardless of condition ) then moving west, the ice cream place,Taco Bell,Kenny's Place,A&W,Farmer Jack's , the old Stop-n Steal ( the Happy's pizza will be opening soon there ) and the bowling alley. They'll have to put money into it for 3 stores cause I think they only have one back door and a side door
rs
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 2:13 p.m.
It beats having a boarded up, abandoned bowling alley sitting on the lot.
Bonsai
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 2:04 p.m.
yeah ronnie you got a better idea?
kalamityjane
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 1:51 p.m.
I agree with Joe, Ypsilanti needs development PERIOD! The city has looked more and more desolate over the years, starting on that corner and working its way further East. I say build up, the vacant buildings and empty land plots down Washtenaw and Michigan Ave are an eyesore at best!
Robo
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 12:02 p.m.
Bongz N Thongz outlet store?