$1.1 Million Entertainment Complex Proposed For Shoppers World

The owners of Shoppers World have submitted plans to both the Framingham and Natick Planning Boards to turn an empty parcel of land into a $1 million entertainment complex.

BRE DDR Shoppers World LLC is proposing an upscale bowling alley with a 160-seat restaurant along with a second restaurant on land that is located in Framinghm and an indoor adventure facility, which would allow indoor sky diving in Natick for the property they own at 19 Flutie Pass.

Most of you will know the location as the parking lot that housed the giant snow pile across from AMC Theatres on Flutie Pass in Framingham.

The proposed project would be located at 19 Flutie Pass in Framingham, as well as 1391 and 1559 Worcester Street in Natick.

Plans were formally submitted to the Framingham Planning Board late last month, with a legal ad published yesterday.

A public hearing will be held with the Framingham Planning Board on Sept 10.

The application calls for the redevelopment of about 11.77 acres of a 12.81 acre site, of which 8.39 acres are in Framingham at a estimated cost of $1,137,500.

“The redevelopment is proposed to include an approximately 21,000 square foot bowling alley with restaurant (“Bowling Facility”) in Framingham, a 9,500 square foot restaurant with outdoor seating in Framingham, and a 7,530 square foot entertainment facility in Natick,”

Framingham Planning Board Administrator Amanda Loomis said the bowling alley proposed is a Kings, which has locations in Dedham, Boston, and Burlington in Massachusetts. The plans submitted call for the Kings to have a restaurant with 160 seats inside plus outdoor seating.

Loomis said the proposed second restaurant on the parcel in Framingham has yet to be named.

She said the application to Framingham does not include the indoor skydiving facility. That application was submitted to the Natick Planning Board.

Artist renderings of the proposed entertainment complex submitted to the Framingham Planning Board are attached to this report.

Loomis said the plan does not qualify for expedited permitting, but the Planning Department hopes to review and render a decision on the proposal within 180 days.

The application states the project would create 65 to 80 construction jobs.

And when completed the project would create 25 permanent jobs plus an additional 230 part-time jobs.

BRE DDR Shopper’s World, LLC is requesting special permits from the Framingham Planning Board for restaurant use, indoor amusement use, land disturbance, plus a “modification to a previously approved-decision-for a special permit with site plan review approval dated January 10, 1994, a modification to a previously approved Decision For a Special Permit with Site Plan Review Approval and Special Permit for Off Street Parking Plan Approval dated August 2, 1994,
and a modification to a Sign Approval in conjunction with a Special Permit Site Plan Application dated
August 10, 1994.”

The property is zoned light manufacturing (M-1) and business (B) and is located with the Regional Center overlay district.

Kings Bowl first opened its doors in 2002 in Boston’s Back Bay. The goal of Kings is to rekindle rekindling the fun and escape of bowling by creating a memorable entertainment experience, emphasizing good food, cold beer, creative cocktails and great music, according to the company website.

Each Kings location features upscale, retro-inspired décor with an executive-chef designed menu.

“With varied entertainment options, themed nights, and state-of-the-art audio visual equipment, Kings sets itself apart as an unparalleled social scene for all occasions; be it a family outing, a date night hotspot, a corporate event or the best place in town to connect with friends,” states the company’s website.

Most Kings’ are a 21-plus facility each evening as early as 5 p.m. Before 9 p.m. all guests must be at least 18 years of age or with a parent of legal guardian. After 9PM, all guests must be 21 or older with proper ID in order to enter Kings. During mornings and afternoons, families with supervised children are welcome.

The indoor sky diving facility proposed is an iFly, which has locations across the country including Chicago, Dallas, Orlando, Hollywood to name a few.The company has locations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Asia. The company’s closest location to the proposed one in Natick is SkyVenture in New Hampshire.