Ballpark project proposed for Red Roof Mall site in Branson

Last edited 3:49 p.m., May 7, 2014

A Chicago developer is proposing a large-scale ballpark project at the site of Branson's defunct Red Roof Mall.

Yesterday evening, Ballparks of America presented the project before the Branson Planning & Zoning Commission. City of Branson Director of Economic Development Garrett Anderson said the P&Z Commission unanimously approved a requested special use permit to operate the development.

The development plan calls for up to 16 replica baseball fields, including dimensional designs of Fenway Park and Wrigley Field, batting cages, practice diamonds, concession and catering facilities, arcades and playgrounds, according to the agenda document. The majority of the existing mall buildings would remain for use as lodging, food and retail facilities, according to the agenda of yesterday's meeting.

The development group - made up individually by CEO Hamilton Chang, Bradley Snider and Michael and Dennis Chookaszian - will meet with the city of Branson's budget and finance committee next week to discuss leasing the city-owned land. The contract would require final approval by the Branson Board of Aldermen. Branson has similar lease agreements on adjacent city-owned land stretching from White Water to the Track, Anderson said.

Factory Merchants Mall, commonly called the Red Roof Mall, closed in Branson in late 2011. Simon Property Group bought out its lease in December 2011, giving control back to the city, which owns the 40-acre site. The ballpark plan comprises some 68 acres, which includes the mall and surrounding vacant land at 1000 Pat Nash Drive.

The development plans come after the Branson Board of Alderman approved a $39,050 sports-market feasibility study in February 2013, designed to see how the city could take advantage of the property from a tourism perspective, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.

"We feel like the conclusion of that study was, 'Yeah the demand is definitely out there,'" Anderson said. "We agreed there's a tremendous demand for youth sports."