Branson aldermen consider convention center contract

According to a city of Branson news release, second reading and final passage of the bill to approve the contract will be Sept. 12.

The contract puts all risk on the contractors, with a guaranteed maximum price for the convention center and parking garage set at $42.3 million. If the price exceeds that amount, the contractors would face financial penalties of up to $100,000.

Also, once a completion date is agreed upon, the contractors would be penalized $5,000 per day if the project is delayed beyond that date.

The city and the contractors are waiting for final designs from architectural firm ATV in Atlanta before choosing a completion date. Designs are expected to be finished next week.

On the other hand, contractors could split an incentive of $50,000 if project costs come in under $41.4 million.

“Our board has studied and reviewed this contract,” said Alderman Ron Huff in the release. “It is well-written and protects the city’s interest.”

The 220,000-square-foot convention center includes 50,000 square feet of exhibition space, a 23,000-square-foot ballroom and 15,000 square feet of meeting space. Land for the center is now being cleared along the east side of Sycamore Street between Main and Long streets.

The five-story convention center parking garage is to be located across from the convention center on Sycamore, just south of the existing downtown parking garage.

The Turner and Killian companies also are the contractors for the Branson Landing development, scheduled for completion in summer 2006.

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