BACKGROUND
The City of Branson initiated a comprehensive planning process in 2010 that culminated in the Branson Community Plan 2030 adopted by the Board of Aldermen on March 27, 2012.
A consistent theme of the approved plan included 76 Country Boulevard improvements to increase safety and business activity. An enhanced streetscape would include better pedestrian/automobile circulation, beautification, and updated design and functionality.
The “Spirit of 76” conceptual master plan was developed by an engineering and architectural team led by Cook, Flatt and Strobel Engineering (CFSE) who presented the plan in April 2014 that was adopted by the City of Branson in September 2014.
A multi-tiered plan of finance was anticipated to include a community improvement district with implementation of a one cent retail sales tax, the allocation of a portion of the City of Branson’s existing tourism infrastructure tax, and state and federal grant and loan programs to fund both construction, and ongoing operations and maintenance expenses.
The 76ECID Board of Directors is made up of seven volunteers: four private property owners in the District and three City of Branson officials, or their designates. The 76ECID collects and distributes funds for the capital improvements, operation, and maintenance of the District, in alignment with state and local statutes.
The original 76ECID was formed in May 2016 with 35 property owners of 68 acres from Presleys’ Theatre to the Branson Ferris Wheel (Segment 3 which is 1/3 linear mile) who established the District and a 1% sales tax. Tax collections began in the District on October 1, 2016. Segment 3 sales tax revenue generated more than $400L annually.
In March 2018, a cooperative agreement, which details responsibilities and payment plans between 76ECID and the City of Branson, was finalized.
On June 23, 2020, the Branson Board of Aldermen approved expansion of the 76ECID from Shepherd of the Hills Expressway to Fall Creek Road. The expansion added 176 properties and 905 acres to the District making up five additional segments: 1 and 2 to the west, and segments 4, 5, and 6 to the east.
New segments of the District joined Segment 3 in collecting one penny per dollar of retail sales beginning October 1, 2020. In total, Segments 1-6 will be able to generate sales tax revenue of approximately $5M annually for up to 50 years.
Olsson Associates were approved for a construction management contract with the City of Branson in August 2016. On September 6, 2016, waterline work began in Segment 3.
Ten months later in June 2017, the City of Branson paused construction on the revitalization with Segment 3 near completion, because existing revenue streams could not support additional spending. Approximately $16.2 million was spent by the City, which included water line upgrades and all the initial planning and design work.
In September 2017, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) road relinquishment gave the City of Branson ownership of Highway 76 within the Entertainment District for 20 years. In exchange for assuming maintenance of the roadway, MoDOT provided $6.9 million to the City over four years from 2018-2021.
Road ownership allows the City to manage aerial utility lines, prohibit future utility pole installation, and implement the most effective and efficient construction methods for the revitalization. On October 16, 2019, this portion of the roadway dropped its W. Hwy 76 designation to use only “West 76 Country Boulevard,” since it is no longer a state highway.
Bids were secured, funds allocated, and multiple contracts signed for work to begin undergrounding utilities in Segment 3 of West 76 Country Boulevard on January 5, 2022.
Relocating all the wired utilities to underground duct banks previously constructed along the corridor and removing poles was completed on time and under the budgeted cost of $1.9 million near the end of May 2022.
With overhead utilities out of the way, the installation of street and pedestrian lighting could be implemented. Segment 3 was completed in July 2022.
An RFP for design firms was initiated and evaluated in early 2022. The 76 Design Collective led by Great River Engineering (GRE) was selected and began work in July 2022.
The Design Collective team includes members from Great River Engineering as well as H-Design Group (architects, Springfield) and Vireo (landscape architects, Kansas City).
A broad group of stakeholders from the City of Branson, 76ECID Board of Directors, local business owners and creative talent participated in four different design sessions from September 2022 – January 2023. Specific property owners impacted most by the redesign have and continue to be contacted individually for input on the improvements near them.
The Design Collective has prepared and presented a probable cost estimate based on their design work to date.
The 76ECID and City of Branson are pursuing available grant funding and exploring bonding opportunities to support construction for Segments 1 and 2, and eventually 4 through 6.
76ECID tax revenues were $5.0 million in 2021, $5.4 million in 2022, and $5.3 million in 2023.
