Jay Chun presents Basin Lanes business plan to city

ALAMOGORDO — Downtown Venture Corp. CEO Jay Chun visited Alamogordo Tuesday to present his business plan for Basin Lanes to city officials. 

"This project was brought to me close to a year and a half or two years ago initially and we showed an interest in creating something new that could benefit the community," Chun said. "Later on when the opportunity was given again, I had to think about it for a little bit because I was already on other projects and was this really something I wanted to get myself back into? But first of all, I want to thank Mayor (Richard Boss) for not giving up at the end of the day because I gave up, seriously. I rejected it in the beginning and G.B. (Oliver) kept calling me back and calling me back and I spoke to the Mayor as well. What turned me was the passion the Mayor had for the city and how he'd like to see it revitalized." 

He said he decided to visit Alamogordo to host this special meeting because he wanted to put some of the rumors in the community to rest, while showing the city what he has to offer. During the special meeting, city officials and community members were able to taste test the kind of food that will be offered inside the restaurant at Basin Lanes. 

As part of Chun's presentation, he showed photos he took of the Starmax facility in Deming in comparison to his X Lanes Family Entertainment Center in Los Angeles. Chun's presentation highlighted the problems he identified in the Starmax facility, such as broken arcade machines, cleanliness, a lack of prizes for game winners and ambiance. 

"I think the key for me is providing our guests with the best memorable experience, that's our goal," Chun said. "If you take a look at it, there's not a lot of centers like this in the surrounding area as well. So once this gets open, it's going to be a discussion not only here but across the state. There are going to be people coming here and the question will be, was it done right and will we be proud to say that's our center. That's my vision and my goal to make sure you do." 

Chun's presentation broke down where the $1.5 million the City Commission has dedicated to fix the project's shortfalls will go. An estimated $120,000 will go to an arcade card system, $650,000 will go to arcade machines, $100,000 will go to an audio and visual system, $80,000 to a point of sale system, $95,000 to kitchen equipment, $50,000 to a security system, $25,000 to a beer tap system with $350,000 dedicated to purchasing additional air conditioning system, lighting, signage, furniture, game prizes and change orders. 

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The presentation also broke down the $500,000 the city is lending Downtown Venture Corp. as an initial operating capital loan. About $100,000 of that amount will go to purchasing initial alcohol and beverages, $250,000 will go to employee training and payment, $50,000 for kitchen food and beverages, and $15,000 for grand opening marketing with $85,000 going towards set up costs and equipment, travel and products.  

Chun estimates Basin Lanes will be open from 11:30 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to midnight on Sunday but said the times may change based on the traffic they observe after opening. 

Chun's plan estimates a minimum of 15 to 20 employees will be needed during the weekdays and about 34 to 38 employees will be needed on the weekend, not including administrative staff and managers.

Construction on Basin Lanes is expected to be complete by January 2018 but time will be needed to set up the facility and train employees, so the estimated opening of the facility is slated for summer 2018.

While the City Commission has issued a letter of intent to move forward with Downtown Venture Corp. for managing the facility, they have not signed official contracts. These contracts are expected to go before Commissioners during their next meeting on Nov. 21. 

"I think rather than trying to dissect all the little issues and problems, let's take a look at the core things that started this project," Chun said. "You've gone a long way and there's still some things that need to get finished but I think with the proper collaboration, things will get done. The citizens of Alamogordo deserve this."