Brooklynites bowled over by news Maples Lanes to close

Residents of southwest Brooklyn are already mourning the loss of Maple Lanes, at 60^th Street and 16^th Avenue, which will be replaced by housing, with construction projected to begin in 2014.

Owners of the 52-year-old recreational facility have sold the property to Fairmont Lanes, a corporation which plans to build 112 units of market rate housing and a synagogue on the site. Because the development is not as of right, it has just begun a lengthy public review process.

“It’d be the second bowling alley to close down,” mourned Melissa B., a Bay Ridge resident, recalling the 2006 closing of Leemark Lanes to make way for a new parking garage for Century 21. “It’s taking away the recreational fun,” she added.

It’s not just about the sports. The lanes provided “a good opportunity to socialize and meet with friends,” noted Ridgeite Cathy McDonald.

Consumers served by the Guild for Exceptional Children will be upset, said Donna Caltabiano, director of day habilitation programs for the Guild. The organization had previously used Leemark Lanes, and now its clients must watch another bowling alley shut its doors.

“It’s very unfortunate because our individuals really use it and enjoy bowling there,” noted Caltabiano. “There’s a little time to look into a new place; but, there will be many disappointments.

“When Leemark closed, it was devastating,” Caltabiano added. “Maple Lanes has been very receptive, welcoming our population for a while now. Mostly it’s the happiness that they get out of it. Even hitting one pin can make their day.”

A few residents turned out for the public hearing at Community Board 12, 13^th Avenue and 60^th Street, to voice their concerns. Borough Park resident Joe Santino stressed that closing Maple Lanes will take away a key facility from local schools whose teams utilize the bowling alley. “Where are they going to go?” he demanded, noting, “I bowl there and run three leagues. I would like my children to bowl there.”

But, with the property already sold – as acknowledged by a representative of the new owner who attended the meeting – there is little that can be done, said Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, a member of CB 12 and the executive director of the Boro Park Jewish Community Council.

Recalling that he had enjoyed bowling there, Silber told the crowd gathered in the board office, “Nobody compelled Maple Lanes to sell. Obviously, Maple Lanes made a choice. Once they decided to sell, I believe there’s no better choice than to use that land to build housing.”

The housing is needed, most people at the hearing agreed, though a couple of board members expressed a desire that the project be tweaked to include an affordable housing component.

Nonetheless, said attorney Howard Weiss, representing the developer, the Department of City Planning – which has worked with the developer on the proposal – did not indicate that it should be included, even though the project requires several zoning changes, including a redesignation of the site as residential (it is now zoned for light manufacturing) as well as increased density.

The project – which incorporates a variety of two, three and four-bedroom apartments in 25 buildings — began back in 2004, according to a September 10 letter from John and Peter LaSpina, the proprietors of Maple Lanes, to the community. Calling it a “very difficult business decision,” the LaSpinas contended, “It was gut wrenching for us to realize that it is time to say goodbye.”

Reporting contributed by Heather J. Chin.