Kenai administration will consider the sale or new lease of the only bowling in town, which resides on airport lands owned by the city.
The lease on the building has expired and a notice of lease termination was sent to all parties according to City Attorney Scott Bloom. City Manager Rick Koch says he is creating a request for proposal.
Koch: “So the three options that I’m looking at encompassing into the request for proposal; the first option would be for an interested party to lease the building and lease the land the building is on; the second option would be to lease the land and to buy the building; the third option would be to buy both the land and the building. And we’ll have criteria established so that we can compare those varying options to see what’s in the best interests of both the airport and the city.”
Mayor Pat Porter asked if the city would be restricting what kind of business would be allowed at that central location and Koch stated he would rather not limit the proposals the city might receive. Bloom stated the city has the option to decline any and all offers if they are not in the best interest of the city.
Bowler Charlotte Yamada testified at the Wednesday council meeting.
Yamada: “I need to see the bowling alley stay a recreational facility, I want to see that kids have somewhere to go, somewhere to be, somewhere to stay out of trouble, and keep bowling alive in Kenai, Alaska.”
When traveling for bowling, she says leagues around the state always express desires to come to Kenai.
Koch says the request for proposals will open in the coming month or so and will be open from 90-120 days.
