Shirato seeks developers for Branson West plans

Shirato announced plans Oct. 12 for his Indian Ridge Resort Inc. project that will take at least $1.3 billion – and the help of about a dozen developers.

Shirato plans to begin meeting with local and national developers the week of Oct. 17 for the 900-acre residential and recreation project. The resort will lie south of Highway 76, with the main entrance along the highway across from Metropolitan Bank.

“I invite anyone who has experience to get in touch with us,” he said. “When you spend this much money, you have to get the best developers that are available.”

Shirato anticipates enlisting the help of at least six developers for 2,400 single- and multi-family condominiums. He’ll also need specialized developers for a $140 million, 390-unit hotel and for each recreation element of the project, including a 109,000-square-foot indoor water park and a 36,000-square-foot outdoor water park, retail stores, a marina, an 18-hole golf course and a 2,000-square-foot museum.

Shirato already has teamed with Jerry and Bo Hagerman at Hagerman New Urbanism for the project’s design, and they will help Shirato select developers.

Construction is set to begin at the end of first-quarter 2006, and Shirato anticipates completion in five years. Shirato, who owns the Vandivort Center, 305 E. Walnut, Shirato Parking Systems, 310 E. Walnut, and other downtown Springfield properties, anticipates the project will create more than 400 jobs.

Bo Hagerman said Phase I will consist mostly of developing the single-family homes and selling lots for each project. Phase II will focus on the golf course, which includes two driving ranges, and Phase III will be the starting point for most of the major development, including the water park and hotel.

Hagerman said he has talked with several developers already, including some from Springfield, but he wouldn’t disclose names.

“At this point, our role is largely as a consultant, and we’ve already got some plans for all of it,” he said. “We hope to have some others come to the table as team members.”

The vision for the project is to establish “bookends” for Highway 76, with large developments on both sides that frame the city.

“With Branson Landing at one end and this development at the other, it creates the yin to the yang of Branson,” he said.

Ken Smith, city administrator for Branson West, said the city predicted years ago that a large-scale project would make its way to town, and plans for accommodating one were made.

“It’s something that Branson West geared up for, so it hasn’t caught us by any surprise,” he said. “Jobs will be created, property values will go up and it’ll be additional sales tax revenue for the community.”

Branson West’s population currently sits at 408, compared to the 2,400 condominiums planned. Smith said the 900-acre project will nearly double the size of the Stone County city.

Annexation will occur in phases, and the city is prepared to provide police patrol and water and sewer services as needed, he said.

Indian Ridge Resort is the second billion-dollar development slated for the Branson area, after Argonaut Midwest broke ground Sept. 22 for The Sanctuary in nearby Hollister.

Branson’s record construction

Meanwhile, construction in the city of Branson has surpassed the $100 million mark for the second time in its history.

Through September, Branson’s new construction for 2005 tops $103.3 million, according to a news release from city offices. With three months remaining in the year, Branson is on track to exceed the $119.5 million single-year record set in 1993.

“We are definitely in a building boom,” said Branson Economic Development Director Michael Rankin in the release. [[In-content Ad]]