Jim D. Morris plans Branson convention center

Springfield businessman Jim D. Morris, whose company is slated to close the Howard Johnson Inn and Conference Center on South Glenstone Avenue next month, is in the early planning stages to build a convention center attached to a hotel he owns in Branson.

Morris Group Properties Inc. controller Lance Watson said Morris has indicated an interest in adding 15,000 to 20,000 square feet to his Ramada hotel in Branson, located on the 76 Strip adjacent to Dixie Stampede. With the addition, the property would be roughly the same size as the Howard Johnson hotel in Springfield scheduled to close Sept. 8.

Watson said the plans - which haven't yet been out for bid - call for building in a vacant lot Morris owns next door. Previously, a veterinary clinic was on the lot, but the Morris Group demolished it after sustaining damage during the Leap Day tornado of 2012.

"I think there's a need for it down there. The Hilton's really the only thing with any convention space to speak of," Watson said, referring to the 220,000-square-foot Hilton Convention Center near Branson Landing.

He said the hotel, which does business as Ramada Resort and Conference Center, has three smaller meeting rooms already that can seat about 150 people apiece.

"With the Howard Johnson closing, we've had some interest in people moving some conventions down there, and we just don't have the space for them. I think we could help Branson, and of course ourselves, by having the space available. Hopefully, it's something we can make happen," Watson said.

The Howard Johnson in Springfield is under contract to be sold to Brad Thessing of Thessing Commercial Properties LLC and Kevin Guffey of central Missouri-based American Realty & Development, who plan to demolish the property and turn it into a 60,000-square-foot retail development.[[In-content Ad]]