Retro bowling alley coming to downtown LR

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - There's a buzz around town saying there are new plans to expand the growing revitalization efforts around MacArthur Park downtown.

Plans for a retro bowling alley and a German beer hall are in the works. It's set to be placed right across the street from Rock Region Metro's Travel Center. The plans have already gone before the Historic Commission, and they say a bowling alley and beer hall are just a small part of big plans for this area.

"This, kind of in a lot of ways, fulfills that vision of completing that whole district and bringing it all the way to the south, to that border," said Lance Turner, online editor for Arkansas Business.

Turner said that in the past year Capitol Avenue has seen an huge amount of growth. The southern end of the River Market District now has new condos, apartments under construction and plans for a retro-inspired bowling alley and beer garden.

"You think about what young people like to do. They like to go out, they like to have a good time, they like to bowl and they like to drink. They like to visit with each other, so it creates a more social environment in a part of the River Market District that hasn't seen that just yet," said Turner.

The proposed establishments, the Dust Bowl Lanes & Lounge and Fassler Hall, replicate similar venues in Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

"It's a little different twist on something to do, so it adds to the portfolio of options that you have in this area," said Turner.

Developers for the property Moses Tucker Real Estate hope this will help create an upscale urban vibe for East Capitol.

"It's a sign that I think that folks are coming here, folks are living here, folks are working here and they want more stuff to do when they're down here."

The Little Rock Historic District Commission approved plans for the Dust Bowl Lanes & Lounge and will make a final decision on Fassler Hall in January.