Former South Milwaukee bowling alley bought by investors for possible redevelopment

A large, long-vacant South Milwaukee property may be getting a facelift.

The former South Park Lanes bowling alley has been sold to Franklin-based investment group Chicago Ave. LLC.

The company bought the property at 305 N. Chicago Ave. from AMF Bowling Centers Inc. for $603,750, according to state real estate records posted Friday.

Chicago Ave.'s registered agent, Guriqbal Sra, has not yet announced his intentions for the site. Sra couldn't be immediately reached for information.

South Park Lanes closed in 2014, along with two other AMF bowling alleys in the Milwaukee area.

Following the closure, contracting company Anderson Ashton proposed turning the property into a self-storage facility. That proposal was not well-met by the city’s plan commission, and a formal proposal was never submitted.

South Milwaukee Mayor Erik Brooks said he is keeping an open mind and is excited to hear what the new owner plans to do with the property. The city’s comprehensive plan would have the site serve as a residential property.

“It’s an intriguing site. He has a high-potential property,” Brooks said. “Seven-acre sites in South Milwaukee don’t come available often.”

Brooks will meet with Sra next week.

Sra operates a Kwik Pantry convenience store in West Allis, according to West Allis license records.

Sra's plans for the South Milwaukee property might need Common Council approval, depending upon what he proposes.