Proposal for Site of Rose Bowl Lanes in Marshfield

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2022 -- 1:00 PM

A new development may soon be coming to the parcel of land where Rose Bowl Lanes sits in Marshfield.

At their July 19th meeting, Marshfield’s Planning Commission voted to approve a conditional use permit for a proposal of the site. However, no official agreement has been made to purchase the property and the bowling alley is still open.

According to minutes from the meeting, the developers approached the city with their proposal. This proposal would see two separate structures on the parcel of land. It would include a car wash with vacuum stalls. It also includes a two-tenant commercial building that would potentially include a business and quick-serve restaurant.

At the Marshfield Common Council’s July 26th meeting, during the was a public session for city residents to voice their concerns. One resident did comment. He stated, “If anyone has read the comments on the multiple media outlets you can tell there has been an uproar about this project and it’s not the best fit for our community."

"He proposes that the City purchase the building and renovate it to something similar to WOW in Wausau, a family fun center with year-round activities. He proposes the Council and local small business owners band together."

"He owns several small businesses in Marshfield and would donate free labor towards the renovation. He thinks if it is something that it can be done it would be cool to showcase local businesses.”

Marshfield's city planner, Steven Wiley, did state "We want to see family-friendly, kids entertainment, things that families can do. That we'd be losing one of those fixtures is one of the main concerns I've heard so far."

After this information came to light, the owners of Rose Bowl Lanes did post to Facebook addressing the proposal. The statement read, “This has ZERO to do with the city asking us to leave for a new development. We received a call from a developer who asked us if we would be willing to sell our lot. That’s it."

"Believe me this was never an easy answer because as you know this has always been about FAMILY. But after 36 years it was just time to look at a different path. Not better, Not worse, just different.”

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