Belvidere City Council gives OK to plans to raze Dodge Lanes for new drive-thru restaurants

January 6, 2025|By Kevin Haas|In Business/development, Top Stories, Belvidere, Featured, Rock River Current, 815 News, Local, Business
Dodge Lanes, 1940 N. State St., was built in 1965 and could be torn down under a proposal to add two restaurants to the space. City Council approved the proposal on Monday. The bowling alley’s sign is pictured Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, in Belvidere. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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BELVIDERE  — City Council members have approved a plan to raze Dodge Lanes bowling alley to make way for a new Starbucks and Chipotle near the western gateway to the city.

Aldermen voted 10-0 Monday night to approve a special-use permit and a final plat for the proposed development at 1940 N. State St.

Indianapolis-based developer MH Bradley requested the permit with plans to raze the 24-lane bowling alley and fill the space with two restaurants with drive-thru service and a shared parking lot. A third business, which has yet to be named, would be built along Appleton Road behind Panama Enterprises.

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“The Dodge Lanes property is a little bit – for anybody who’s been in the city for any length of time – it’s certainly a little bit melancholy. It’s nice to reminisce about Dodge Lanes,” Mayor Clint Morris said before the conclusion of the City Council meeting. “I know some of us have spent time over at Dodge Lanes, but it’s nice to be able to have two businesses that are going to offer some more chances at food choices here in the community.

“I know I always hear, ‘Why don’t we get this, why don’t we get that?’ In this case we’re going to get a Starbucks and we’ll get a Chipotle. And then perhaps on that third lot we’ll see what happens.”

The developer previously told city staff the goal was to close on the purchase of the property and begin construction in spring.

The special-use permit was needed because of increased lighting, reduced pavement setbacks and the drive-thru lane put forth in the plan.

The bowling alley, which was built in 1965, has been listed for sale for several years.

Growth Dimensions, the economic development agency for Belvidere and Boone County, said it had received interest from developers on a few occasions in the past but this was the first time a proposal was brought before City Council that could lead to a sale.

Belvidere has one other Starbucks on the opposite end of town at 1922 Gateway Center Drive. This will be its first Chipotle.

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas