Silver Dollar City to invest $30M at theme park

Silver Dollar City officials announced plans to invest in the Branson theme park to the tune of $30 million.

The plans comprise a housing project for college student interns; parking, roadways and infrastructure improvements; and a store and restaurant, according to a news release.

“Each of these projects has been carefully chosen and designed to meet our guests’ needs and expectations and continue to elevate Silver Dollar City as a major theme park in the very center of the USA," Silver Dollar City President Brad Thomas said in the release. "Stay tuned as we continue to plan for the future with a strong commitment and focus on our guests and our hardworking and caring employees."

Silver Dollar City is partnering with Wisconsin-based Holtz Builders to construct a residence hall on the grounds, adjacent to the park. The three-story building is slated for completion in mid-2023.

The "dorm-like" project would house temporary seasonal participants of student work programs, according to the release. That includes Silver Dollar City’s intern program, called Silver Dollar UniverCity.

The building will accommodate up to 300 students and include common kitchens and indoor and outdoor recreational areas.

“We most enjoy creating, and operating, housing developments that become ‘communities’ for student residents,” said Tom Holtz, founder of Holtz Builders, in the release. “Our mission is to create lasting relationships, and we are in this project with Silver Dollar City for many years to come."

Silver Dollar City has provided the tract of land to Holtz for the project, and the latter company will construct and manage the property.

The parking, roadways and infrastructure portion of the announcement is scheduled to be completed in phases, with final work performed in 2024, according to the release.

The theme park is adding roughly 1,200 parking spaces and improved entrances, as well as enhanced pedestrian access routes and a new turn lane into Silver Dollar City.

Inside the theme park, a new, expanded Heartland Home Furnishings and a Fried Fancies restaurant with waterside dining are in the works, according to the release.

Silver Dollar City has conducted a nationwide search for late-1880s equipment replacements for Heartland Home Furnishings that were lost in a 2021 fire.

Fried Fancies, which also was damaged in the fire, is marking its return to the theme park, according to the release.