SEATTLE -- Residents in the city's Ballard neighborhood are ready to wheel and deal in an attempt to save a city icon.

Sunset Bowl at 1420 N.W. Market Street was sold earlier this month and is set to shut down after 51 years in business.

Sunset's days are limited. It's due to close in April. But one bowler has a plan to save the bowling alley before it shuts its doors for good.

The 24-hour, 26-lane bowling alley is hallowed ground for die-hard bowlers, but the building's new owner, Avalon Ballard LLC, sees the site as the future home of luxury apartments.

But one avid bowler insists there's enough room for both a bowling alley and luxury apartments, and he's trying to rack up some support as the clock ticks down. Jim Bristow is ready to make a final strike.

Bristow is assembling an investors' group of his own, a group whose focus is on saving the old instead of paving the new.

"I've talked to some other folks who are buying some places, some restaurants, trying to keep some of the character in Ballard," he said.

He's also circulating a petition to raise funds.

Bristow hopes to convince the owners to build a new bowling alley under any future apartment projects. His group can then lease those lanes back.

"Just throwing ideas out there," he said.

Bowlers say they understand the need for new housing.

"But on the same token, if we keep getting rid of these things, like bowling alleys, you're going to be getting rid of families," said Sarah Christopherson, a bowler.

Regulars say it's the family atmosphere that makes Sunset Bowl so special and worth saving.

"I don't want my daughter in front of the TV or computer. I'd rather get her out here with her friends and get a little competition and action and play and have fun," said Christopherson said.

Bristow has called the new owner, but Avalon Ballard has yet to respond.

But it may not be too late in the process. City planners say they have yet to receive any formal plans for redeveloping the site.