Branson Landing – “A Train Track Runs Through It” is the name of a movie or a symphony, isn’t it?

One of the primary reasons given for building the convention center downtown, rather than at a location more friendly to Branson’s primary stake holders, was that its closeness to the Branson Landing’s waterfront retail and entertainment district would provide a synergy that would increase the chances of the success of both. As one listened to the consultants and experts expound they could almost hear a virtual symphony of synergism that would attract new visitors and revenues to Branson.

Yet, as the downtown redevelopment project proceeds, it is apparent that it is divided into two distinctly different components. One is the upscale retail, residential condominium, and entertainment district called “Branson Landing” located on the Lake Taneycomo lakefront. The other is the, as yet unnamed, convention center complex that is physically separated from Branson Landing by a four lane road, a set of rail road tracks, and an occasional train with its accompanying whistle.

What kind of symphonic experience would one have if the orchestra was split down the middle and separated by a large space that is being actively used by, people, vehicles, and trains?

“Come on Seagull, get real. This is business not a symphony.”

“True enough but there is a parallel.”

As in a symphony, it would appear that, at the very least, the amount of synergy would be substantially reduced if the elements required to produce that synergy were separated. That separation takes on even more importance, perhaps critical importance, if the reduced synergy can impact adversely on the desired results. Under those circumstances, to an Ole Seagull, it just seems to make good sense to try to mitigate the effects of the separation.

During, a meeting on the convention center design, one of the concepts presented was a pedestrian walk way from the convention center complex, over the train tracks and road, to the Branson Landing waterfront retail and entertainment district. Such a walk way would provide convenient environmentally controlled access between the two in much the same way that the pedestrian walkway across International Drive, near Orlando Florida, connects the two major complexes making up the Orange County Convention Center..

Such a walkway could also help link historic downtown Branson to the Branson Landing. Easy street level access from Commercial Street through the convention center garage and its connection with the convention center would provide relatively convenient access to the walkway and Branson Landing.

From a synergy prospective, such a pedestrian walkway would provide a very visible physical connection between the project’s two main elements that would serve to unite them into a more cohesive whole. With all the money that is being invested in the project and its anticipated revenues to both the city and state if it is successful, doesn’t it make sense to invest, comparatively speaking, a little more, to tie the whole project together in a manner that could help insure the very synergy that is so critical to its success?