Owners begin push to transform Brooklyn bowling alley into housing

A plan to turn one of the city’s last remaining cheap bowling alleys into Karl Fischer-designed housing is moving forward and will begin the public review process tonight. The owners of Maple Lanes in Borough Park, Brooklyn, will hold a hearing tonight for their zoning variance application to demolish the bowling alley and replace it with a synagogue and 182 apartments, the New York Post reported.

While many of the city’s bowling lanes, such as Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg and Bowlmor in Greenwich Village and Times Square, have turned to expensive amenities, celebrity chefs and pricey drinks to stay relevant, Maple Lanes, at 1560 60th Street, hasn’t strayed from charging $4.50 per game and serving cheap food with bare-bones decor. It also serves as the space where many public school bowling teams compete.

But John LaSpina, a co-owner of the bowling alley, says Borough Park is starved for housing and community space to serve its growing Jewish population. He will appear, with his Karl Fischer designs in tow, before Comunity Board 12 tonight. [Post] — Adam Fusfeld