Post #79041 by Traderpup on Wed, Mar 3, 2004 7:21 PM

Here's the article from the Long Beach Press Telegram, February 5, 2004:

Homes for Java site OK'd
Council must approve zoning change to replace lanes with town houses.

By Jason Gewirtz
Staff writer

LONG BEACH -- The Planning Commission cleared the way Thursday for Java Lanes, the city's oldest remaining bowling alley, to be redeveloped into 79 town homes.

Costa Mesa-based Brookfield Homes is proposing the development, which won unanimous commission approval and support from several of Java Lanes' neighbors.

As part of the deal, the developer will be required to take "presentation-quality' photos of the Java Lanes building for a local or regional architectural conservation group before demolishing the building. The "B-O-W-L' sign outside the building will also be preserved and relocated to a city storage site until a future display site is determined.

The bowling alley at 3800 E. Pacific Coast Highway was built in 1958.

Brookfield Homes is proposing eight three-story buildings with roughly 10 units each. The buildings will straddle Grand Avenue between PCH and Esther Street.

The one- to four-bedroom units will range from 1,191 square feet to 1,929 square feet each. Each unit is expected to cost between $300,000 and $500,000.

The project, which requires a zoning change, still requires City Council approval.

In recent years, the owners of Java Lanes have received several offers for the property. The Long Beach Unified School District considered purchasing the site for an elementary school in 2002, but backed out after discovering an earthquake fault directly under the site.

As part of the plans approved Thursday, the developer will have to conduct a geologic investigation and submit a report by a state-registered geologist before construction.

Neighbors of the property have complained in recent years about noise and trash coming from the bowling alley's clientele. Several neighbors said Thursday they were pleased with the development plans.

"I'm sorry to say we're not sorry to say that Java Lanes goes,' said Guy Taylor, who lives adjacent to the site.

Other neighbors echoed his sentiments.

"We couldn't be more pleased with what the final use of this property is going to be,' said nearby resident Don McMullen. The developer also won praise for its involvement with the bowling alley's neighbors.

"You don't know what a pleasure it is to have a neighborhood understand a project, let alone come in here and support it,' Commission Chair Charles Greenberg said.

Well, at least there will be some archival photography done of the place before it goes.... and who knows what'll happen to the cool B-O-W-L sign? Sounds like a project for a local preservation group to find a home for it...!