The former Sunset Bowl building, which has stood vacant and fenced off since April 2008, will be torn down Jan. 20 to make way for the mixed-use Avalon Ballard development.

Demolition was set to begin Jan. 19 as soon as crews finished removing asbestos from the interior and cut the power lines to the building. But, the demolition was pushed back because of remaining freon in the building.

Jim Bristow, who led the Save the Sunset Bowl campaign, said the empty building makes him sad whenever he drives by it.

"It's a shame," he said. "But, at the same time, it's better than having a vacant lot."

Nancy Sullivan, front-end manager at Ballard Market across the street, said the building was a kind of landmark for the neighborhood, and she is sad to see it go.

Jon, the manager at the Burger King next to Sunset Bowl, used to work at the 51-year-old bowling alley. He said he was sad when it closed, but demolition is the necessary next step.

"It has to be done," he said. "That's progress."

The closure of Sunset Bowl, located on Market Street and 14th Avenue Northwest, caused a wave of support from inside and outside Ballard.

More than 2,500 people signed a petition to save the Sunset Bowl. In May 2008, supporters turned out to purchase a part of the bowling alley at an auction for many of its interior fixtures.

"I'm as sad about it today as I was two years ago when it closed," Bristow said.

He said he hopes the new mayor and city leaders will start taking into account the importance of local businesses before allowing them to be destroyed.

More and more entertainment venues are being shuttered around Seattle, leaving people, especially teenagers, with few options for healthy activities, Bristow said.

Avalon Ballard passed final design review stages in April 2009 and was given the go-ahead to begin construction two months ago.

AvalanBay Communities, the developers behind the apartment and retail development, did not return calls about a construction timeline for Avalon Ballard.