Проект семейного бильярдного центра «Happy Harbor» переносится из Нью-Берн в Морехед-Сити

The Happy Harbor Bowling Center project that did not move forward in New Bern due to a claimed lack of legitimate planning and funding is now being pursued in Morehead City in Carteret County. The Happy Harbor Bowling Center was a proposed construction project by Craven County resident Bill Prevatt that aimed to create family-entertainment opportunities within the county, including a 50,000-square-foot facility featuring tournament-grade bowling lanes, an arcade, a full-service restaurant, a lounge, child care spaces and a patriotic theme. The proposed location for the center was the former Kmart building, located at 3100 Dr. M.L.K. Jr. Blvd., situated directly behind the Twin Rivers Mall in New Bern. The center proposal did not move forward in New Bern, according to Mayor Jeffrey Odham and New Bern City Manager Foster Hughes, due to the lack of a viable business plan, secured real estate and independent financing. Odham explained the situation in a prepared statement on Aug. 29 addressing rumors concerning the city’s involvement in the failure of the project and asserted that the project was thoroughly heard out in its entirety and that Prevatt was given support from the city for as long as they could feasibly supply it. “As per his request, he was given letters of support from myself and other city staff,” Odham said. After his first meeting with Prevatt, Odham said he became aware that he did not have site control of the proposed construction, yet was also stating on his social media that the bowling center would be open by the end of the year. During the second meeting, Odham said that he asked Prevatt for a feasibility study, which is a formal evaluation that determines if a proposed project or business venture is practical, viable and worth pursuing before time and money is spent. Odham said that Prevatt claimed he had conducted a study, but the document he provided to Odham was a data page associated with the listing of a commercial property. Prevatt also shared and updated a package requesting $5.3 million in funding from the city, which was only a third of the projected cost of the project. “Happy Harbor Bowling Center was an idea that was shared which garnered strong community support, but no real resources behind it,” Odham said. The city of New Bern independently spent $17,000 on a feasibility study earlier this year for the benefit of any community member who was seriously considering developing an entertainment facility in New Bern due to what Odham said was a desire to support private investment. According to Odham, Prevatt never requested a copy of the city’s study and instead continues to state publicly that he has already conducted his own study despite not providing proof of that study being conducted to the city during their meetings. “Mr. Prevatt has apparently decided to pursue a similar concept in Morehead City,” Odham said. “That is his decision, and I sincerely hope any project pursued there is successful. However, it is inaccurate and unfair for him to blame anyone associated with the city of New Bern for his proposal not advancing here.” Morehead City Mayor Lee Anthony Stiles said in an Aug. 25 social media post, prior to Odham’s statement, that he was currently seeking private investors, developers and community partners who were willing to get on board with the project to push it forward while still protecting taxpayer money from potential failure. “We have a great local gentleman, Bill Prevatt, who has developed a model for a bowling alley called Happy Harbor,” Stiles said. “Bill has been working to move this idea forward and has spoken with one of the owners of the old K-Mart building, who, according to Bill, has expressed interest in potentially leasing space for the project.” Stiles previously pushed for the renovation and expansion of the Parks and Recreation facility in Morehead City and expressed a desire in his post to bring a multisports complex to the area capable of hosting tournaments and sporting events that would bring more tourists and visitors to the county. “Our young people deserve more places where they can play, compete, socialize and simply have something positive to do,” Stiles said. “Our families deserve more year-round entertainment options right here at home.” On Wednesday, Prevatt responded on his social media in a post claiming Odham’s account of the situation was false, that he in fact did have access to private investors and had the proof of payment. Prevatt also said that Cap Sherpa, an American venture capital firm, evaluated the project and gave it a 96.8 out of 100 score in terms of the project’s capacity to attract capital. “I can say with absolute certainty one hundred million times over that I have never once said taxpayers should fund Happy Harbor,” Prevatt said, “Not once. Not ever.” Prevatt finished his statement saying that all documentation and receipts he had of his claims would be posted publicly online, eventually.