At the Village Planning Board meeting Tuesday night Kody Sprague laid out plans for the redevelopment of the old Louisville Slugger Bat Factory on Elizabeth Street. The planning board peppered him with questions regarding parking spaces, exterior lights, and construction traffic during the renovation. Mr. Sprague answered each question in turn, indicating that parking spaces would be figured out as tenants moved in. He said the exterior lighting would be appropriate for the neighborhood, and would not include any large flood lights. Most of the parking lot lighting would be directed down to the lot, and not towards nearby houses. The board expressed concern about the construction trucks going to and from the site. Sprague indicated that since the building is intact they would not be needing large cranes or very heavy equipment on site. He said mostly the traffic would be trucks delivering materials once a day. The board expressed some dismay that he does not plan on using the Elizabeth Street entrance. They were concerned that the alternative street, Filmore is in need of repair. One board member said he felt the gate on Elizabeth Street not be locked to allow emergency vehicles access to the site.
But the boards interest was peaked when Sprague unveiled plans to build a bowling ally and restaurant in the old factory. He said about a quarter of the building is just big enough to house an eight lane bowling ally. He introduced his Father in Law who owns Blasdell Pizza and Cascade Lanes in Springville. Together they would covert part of the building to house the bowling ally and an attached restaurant. The board asked for more detailed plans for their next meeting. The gentleman with Mr. Sprague indicated they hope to have the bowling ally/ restaurant open before the snow flies next winter. The board then moved to set a public hearing on the factory renovation and a special use permit for the bowling ally and restaurant for May 8th at 5:30.
