A new bowling alley for Monroe?

Published 11:08 pm Sunday, February 7, 2010

MONROE — A local Navy veteran may keep development along N. Kelsey Street rolling by opening a bowling alley on a patch of vacant city land.

Ed Fasso wants to buy 4.5 acres from the city to build a 55,000-square-foot family fun center.

The center could include a 33-lane bowling alley, laser tag, black-light miniature golf and an arcade, according to Michael Fear, Fasso’s commercial real estate agent.

“He’s not a sophisticated developer,” Fear said, speaking for his client. “He’s a local guy trying to make a dream come true.”

His dream wouldn’t be the only one that gets realized.

The City Council has struggled to develop land along N. Kelsey Street. A couple of businesses sit along the block, but much of the land remains empty about five years after the city bought it from Snohomish County.

Activity has picked up considerably in the past few months, however.

Seattle Goodwill announced its plans to open a 22,000-square-foot store in the spring at the corner of Chain Lake Road and N. Kelsey Street.

Sabey Corp., a Seattle developer, wants to buy 24 acres on the north side of the street to bring in a big-box store.

And the city may hire Grubb &Ellis of Seattle as its real estate broker to market an 18-acre chunk of land on the south side of the street.

The broker will aim to realize the city’s long-held vision for the property: a walkable retail area with a public square.

City officials originally planned to create that retail space with a single developer. No one was biting, however.

Now, many on the council support selling the property piecemeal. They want to bring in businesses that fit the city’s overarching vision.

The family fun center would fit that goal, Mayor Robert Zimmerman said.

“It would be a wonderful opportunity,” he said.

Zimmerman and others on the council emphasized that the deal with Fasso is far from complete.

Hiller West, the city’s community development director, said the sale was the topic of recent City Council executive sessions. Fasso and the council could agree to a sale price of a few million dollars.

Fasso wants to begin construction this year, with an eye on opening by early 2011, Fear said.

While negotiations are still under way, many on the council are optimistic Fasso may meet that goal.

“It’s obviously aggressive,” Councilwoman Patsy Cudaback said. “But I think it’s within reach.”