All quiet at Bowl 58 construction site
Developer says funds dried, but assures work will resume soon
11 comments below
Work on the new bowling alley planned for the old Chevrolet dealership site in Riverhead has recently come to a halt.
So what happened?
Developer Joe Albanese said he had a dispute with his construction manager and is in the process of picking a new one. He also said he had run out of money for the project, as his costs exceeded the amount for which he had obtained financing, but that he's in the process of obtaining additional bank financing to continue the project.
"We should be back under construction in the next couple of weeks," he said, adding that he is hoping to open by September.
"We're about 90 percent done," he said. "We have all the equipment in there, we just have to finish the installation, painting, carpeting and blacktop. We were going like gang busters for a while."
The work stopped about three weeks ago, he said.
He suggested the town might be able to help.
"If he needs assistance, he should call Chris Kempner, our Community Development Agency director, and she might be able to point him in the right direction," Mr. Cardinale said. "In times like this, when few people are starting new projects, I don't think anyone is going to stand in the way of letting a project get to completion."
Named "Bowl 58" even though it technically is at 96 Main Road, or Route 25, the project received approval from the town's Planning Board in May 2008 and appeared to be nearing completion, at least from the exterior.
The facility is being built on the site of the old Chevrolet dealership just west of Route 105 and comes when bowling alleys have closed in places like Mattituck, Westhampton and Rocky Point in recent years.
tgannon@timesreview.com
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11 comments found
Great : 7/15/2009
I met Mr Albanese on Monday- he was nice enough to take time to show me the inside .The new guys where in there taking measurements . The paint colors are very cool .He also showed me all the bowling lanes ( what slab). Hey read the letter from the editor about the sherrif-it is totally unfounded.(read post on 6-12-09 )lets go bowling!!!!!!!!!!!!
tools 2 : 7/6/2009
Mr Albanese stated that 90% is done inside, well i've been inside and its a big concrete slab, The sherriffs had to help the electricians get equipment out of the building. call the company that built the building they'll give you the details.
tools : 7/6/2009
The comments about a lock out are so false and only damaging. The owners used a company to manage the the building- where are they now (remember the sign).People should support the efforts of Mr Albanese in these hard times and not make comments that are unfounded. I just want to bowl and have my kids parties @ BOWL 58
Huh : 6/15/2009
Was that last post titled "Bowling Alley" written in English? Maybe you should join the folks at the library for free English lessons.
Bowling Alley : 6/15/2009
Where is the "Bowling Czar" friends of Obama can't help Riverhead? Maybe the tax cheat Treasury Secretary and print more money to resume the "shovel ready" project. EPCAL would get off the ground and Railroad Avenue will continue to be a hiring hall but at least there will be soup! If Letterman needs jokes come to Howell Avenue!
Competition : 6/13/2009
Whatever the reasons for the stoppage, hopefully everything will work out. Maybe Riverhead Town can lend a hand and help this much-needed project get done. Competition is good and I think the competitors are hoping that it never opens.
: 6/12/2009
Well you were given misinformation, .The neighbors that live in the area can tell you that they witnessed the lockup of the property. Maybe you should speak to the companies that were working on the property that had tools locked up in the building.
Sheriff's Office : 6/12/2009
Officials at the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office's civil bureau said there were no actions taken at the Bowl 58 property, and none are pending. I just wanted to address that last post. - Michael White, editor
Developer Joe Albanese : 6/11/2009
Clearly a poor business plan, If this is such a sure fire project, why are the banks not support this person. Maybe he has some more of his own money to put into the project?
: 6/11/2009
I think there is a little more to the story, Like why did the banks have the suffolk county sherriffs lock the place up ? How come some of the contractors can't get in the place to get back there tools. Why didn't the builders get paid ? something smells fishy here.
Hurry, Hurry!!! : 6/11/2009
Looking great Joe! We need you in this town for something to do. Everyone near and far are anxious for the opening. Good luck.
