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Council clears site plan to convert old bowling alley into 20,000‑sq‑ft family entertainment center
Summary
Council granted conditional zoning/site plan approval for a redevelopment of the former Stow Kent Family Entertainment Center into an arcade, mini bowling, Vans Pizza restaurant and upgraded outdoor attractions; applicant expects construction to start after first of the year.
City council and the planning committee advanced a site plan and conditional use for redevelopment of the former Stow Kent Family Entertainment Center, approving the application to convert the roughly 20,000‑square‑foot building into an indoor/outdoor family entertainment venue with a Vans Pizza restaurant, large arcade area, mini bowling lanes, private party spaces and upgraded exterior facades and lighting.
Planning Director Zach Cowen summarized the application to the committee, describing interior and exterior renovations, new landscaping, revised parking and two land‑banked parking areas that bring on‑site capacity to the city's required 142 spaces once installed. The plan includes 108 installed parking spaces with 34 land‑banked; the city's code allows up to 70% of required parking to be installed immediately and requires land‑banked spaces to be installed later if council directs.
Architect David Pelligra, representing the applicant, said the project team plans to proceed to construction drawings and permitting with demolition and reconstruction expected to begin after New Year’s, estimating roughly an 8–9 month construction timetable under current assumptions.
The plan includes upgrades to lighting with shielded parking lot poles, new trees and shrubs approved by the city arborist and two conditions of approval requiring resolution of fire department and engineering comments prior to building permit issuance. Cowen told the committee the outstanding comments are routine technical items that do not affect the project’s overall layout.
Council and committee members praised the project. Councilmember Feldman said it is a welcome investment; several members asked about an opening timeline and were told the team hoped to be roughly 8–9 months from the start of construction. The committee voted to move the item to the full council agenda; the full council adopted resolution 2025‑191 granting site plan approval on Sept. 25.
Ending: With approvals in hand, the applicant said it will finish construction documents, secure permits and target demolition and structural work early next year.
