Capatalizing on the Branson Landing

Since the Branson Landing's inception I've been trying to figure out how to capitalize on it.
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A recent Branson Chamber of Commerce survey concluded Branson's $450 million dollar lakefront project was Branson Missouri's top destination.

I've sat center stage the past 31 days with the clearest view of the property - studying.

Rick Huffman, the developer of the Branson Landing stopped by last week before heading to an architectural awards ceremony in Las Vegas. Between then and now he's crushed my cold drink monopoly with Coke machines in the Town Square.

After Branson whistleblower Ruth Denham unfolded corruption in Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley administration not even Huffman, always known as bold in business, dares attempt reform efforts to save Branson's economy.

In three years the Branson Landing and Branson Hills projects have generated over 25 percent of Branson's income. Unfortunately, Branson's current administration can't seem to stop frivolously spending it.

Memorial Day is coming and the seasonal rush has tourists moving from a trickling creek to a steady stream (rain days excluded).

It's time to get paid....

Downtown Branson

Larger view of photo 2006The photo's you see are of the Branson Landing construction site less than a year ago today. I'm posting live from Sullivan's after visiting Downtown Historic Branson. While the streets of the "new downtown" are bustling, the once tourist filled streets of Historic downtown are virtually empty. When covering the story last week I got heat from both sides. An elderly woman threatened me (an employee of the Downtown Branson Mainstreet Association DBMA) if I continued coverage. On the other side merchants felt my writing was biased towards the downtown association. Many of the merchants feel they're not being represented by their lobbying organization and a meeting last week with 35 irate merchants and the DBMA left only more questions.
When everybody gets paid, everyon's happy. Everyone isn't getting paid - particulary the downtown merchants. The once $37 million district has experienced wanning profits since the "new downtown" construction started. The convention center opening is just months away which brings some hope. A handful of merchants started an organization called the Historic Downtown Business Owners Organization HDBBO. They want to either force the DBMA to change their ways or split ways...Construction has been amazingly quick...see updated picture below.
View of Photo 2007