Branson Landing

A public-private partnership between developer HCW Development Co. and the city of Branson, Branson Landing will feature 500,000 square feet of retail space in more than 100 stores, plus more than 140 condominiums, several marinas, two Hilton hotels, a convention center and a mix of dining options.

A boardwalk will run north-south along the shoreline, linked to a new town square which will accommodate up to 5,000 people for festivals and other outdoor events.

As of early July, the Landing is 75 percent leased, with 55 shops and restaurants committed to the development. Tenants will range from Bass Pro Shops and Belk Inc. department store to Famous Dave’s BBQ, Haagen-Dazs and the Disney Store.

Businesses on the Branson Landing team include contractors Turner Construction, Walton Construction and Killian Construction, and architectural firms Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates Inc. and Crawford Architects.

The city hired Dallas-based C&C Engineering Inc. to conduct plan reviews and inspections at the new lakefront development.

An Oct. 28, 2003, study by Los Angeles-based Economics Research Associates forecasts that Branson Landing will increase Branson’s sales revenue by more than $155 million by the end of 2006, with $140 million derived from retail and entertainment and more than $15 million from hotel revenues.

Preparation for development has been a monumental task. In addition to clearing the land of previous structures and installing infrastructure, a 2,000-foot sea wall was constructed along the lakefront and a new, four-lane bridge is being built over Roark Creek.

The Corps of Engineers, Southwest Power Administration and Empire District Electric cooperated in keeping lake levels down during construction of the sea wall and the piers to support the bridge.

To keep electricity flowing to Southwest Power Administration during an eight-week construction period, the Corps of Engineers switched Table Rock Dam’s generators on overnight giving the lake time to rise and recede before construction resumed each morning.

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