Change Coming to Familiar Lakes Area Landmark

Demolition is underway at the former Voyager Lanes bowling alley to make room for new development. (Karen Downing, KDLM News)

Detroit Lakes, MN – If you drive along West Lake Drive in Detroit Lakes, you’ll notice demolition is underway, clearing the site of the former Voyager Lanes bowling alley to make room for new development.

Residents may remember the building, constructed in the 1970s, as the community’s primary bowling center and a popular gathering place to eat, socialize, and compete in leagues. The redevelopment follows months of public concern over losing the community’s only bowling alley.

Now, city officials say the property at 1377 West Lake Drive will become a new townhouse project called “The Port on Little Detroit”. Economic Development Director Hope Williams says the project is moving forward after receiving approval for Tax Increment Financing.

Tax Increment Financing — often called TIF — helps cover development costs either by encouraging private construction or by paying for public improvements like streets, sidewalks, sewer, and water infrastructure.

Workers are actively clearing the site, a completion date is pending.

Folks may miss the sound of bowling pins, but many are looking forward to seeing new life come to this familiar spot along the lake.

By Karen Downing

Previous Coverage: https://lakesarearadio.net/2024/07/26/planning-commission-meeting-the-port-on-little-detroit-lake-and-community-concerns-over-bowling-alley/

Minnesota House of Representatives, House research Development https://www.house.mn.gov/hrd/issinfo/tif/mech.aspx