Bayside Bowl in Portland has abandoned its plan to add a second-story squash facility on adjacent land it purchased from the city in February, according to the bowling alley’s owner, state Sen. Justin Alfond.

Alfond said the cost to build a second story on the West Bayside property, which sits atop a former landfill, was higher than anticipated. However, he plans to present the city with a modified expansion plan that still would include adding eight 10-pin bowling lanes, expanding the dining and lounge area, and creating a rooftop lounge.

“The cost to build in Bayside is extremely difficult because of the landfill that we’re on,” Alfond said. Building heavier structures on a former landfill requires further ground-stabilization measures, which can be expensive.

The change in plans is a major setback for Portland Community Squash, which would have been the squash facility’s sole tenant. The nonprofit organization, which organizes affordable squash leagues for youths and adults, currently meets at the Portland YMCA. The Bayside Bowl facility would have consisted of eight singles courts, one doubles court, a small gym, classrooms, and adult and child locker rooms.

Portland Community Squash organizer Barrett Takesian said he remains optimistic that the group will find another location for the squash facility. He said it already is in discussions with other developers and has been checking commercial listings for existing properties that could be adapted to the project.

He praised Alfond for “committing substantial resources to trying to make our plan work in his project.”

“He has been a champion of our mission, and we are grateful for his continued support,” Takesian said.

The Portland City Council voted 8-1 in February to sell less than a quarter-acre in the Bayside neighborhood to Alfond’s company, BOPO LLC.

Alfond paid the city $340,018 for the 71 Hanover St. property, which was used to store the city’s road sand and salt supply for the downtown area.

City officials moved the municipal sand and salt shed to a temporary location nearby to make way for what was expected to be a $2.4 million expansion.

City Councilor Edward Suslovic voted against the sale, because staff did not provide a plan or cost estimate for relocating the shed.

Alfond, a Democrat from Portland, said Friday that the unanticipated construction costs prompted him to delay the project and drop the squash component. Originally, he had hoped to break ground on the project back in April.

Now, Alfond said he will go back to the city with a modified expansion plan in early 2016. If approved, he plans to begin construction in the spring.

The council’s Housing and Community Development Committee unanimously recommended that the council accept Alfond’s offer to buy the city-owned land. Part of his sales pitch was that the expansion would create a new home for Portland Community Squash and help establish Portland as a regional center for the sport.

Still, the bowling alley’s expansion to 20 lanes with added amenities would be in line with the city’s long-term vision to transform the industrial Bayside area into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood.

Another Bayside redevelopment project expected to break ground this year is the $75 million “midtown” project, which would add 440 apartments on 3.25 acres of city-owned land that used to be the site of industrial scrap yards. Also, a former auto repair shop on Marginal Way is currently being redeveloped into a shopping center.

J. Craig Anderson can be contacted at 791-6390 or at:

canderson@pressherald.com

Twitter: @jcraiganderson