KC-Based Development Group Receives Approval for Redevelopment of Mission Bowl

Five years after the structure fire that destroyed Mission Bowl, Kansas City-based Sunflower Development Group has approval from the Mission City Council for preliminary development at the old Mission Bowl site — 5399 Martway Street.

The City of Mission and the Sunflower Development Group held a virtual meeting in August with residents from the community to discuss the plans for the five-story, 160-unit apartment complex. Below are some of the amenities the complex will have:

• Pool and hot tub

• Club house with theaters

• Studio, one and two bedroom apartments

• Work stations to accommodate residents working from home

• Dog park with plans to be open to apartment and non-apartment residents

• Rent ranging from $975 to $1,800 monthly

During the virtual meeting, many residents gave feedback regarding their opinions on the redevelopment including Ben Chociej, who lives directly behind the development site. Chociej voiced his support for the redevelopment, saying it’ll help “revitalize” the area.

“[My wife and I] love the idea of seeing this multi-density come to Mission [and] help revitalize Johnson Drive, I think that’s great,” Chociej said.

As for other residents like Lynda Hurt, they’re hesitant with development on that side of town.

“I’m concerned all this work will go into this apartment complex and nobody is going to want to live here because this end of town has not been updated,” Hurt said. 

With many glad to see something being done with the site, some — including East parents Rob Herrick and Lonny Stump — are sad to finally see the definite end of Mission Bowl.

Herrick and Stump have been on the same bowling team together for about 12 years. This year will be the 30th year Stump has competed with this recreational team. Before the fire in 2015 that destroyed Mission Bowl, their team had been bowling there for six years. 

Both Herrick and Stump were unaware of the redevelopment of the site. 

“I would rather it be redeveloped as another bowling alley,” said Stump. “Although an apartment complex will help support the existing retailers.”

Herrick said that as much as he would like to see the alley return, due to the structural damage it would have to be completely rebuilt. He said it wouldn’t be the same.

“To rebuild Mission Bowl, it wouldn’t be Mission Bowl,” said Herrick.

From the mini-golf course, to the bowling alley food to bowling with childhood friends on Saturday mornings, Mission Bowl’s legacy has officially come to an end.