In his Sep. 24 column entitled, “At least ten things that the Ole Seagull is positive about,” the Ole Seagull said, “He is positive that if people don’t turn out for the Branson Board of Aldermen’s meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, Sep. 25, and express their opinion, that the board will act on the planning and zoning changes for the erection of a 300 foot, 25 story cement and glass symbol to the New Branson, located at the very gateway to Branson, without their opinion being heard.”
The column continued, “He is positive that some believe it is ‘an affront to anyone with respect for the land,’ that it is not consistent with ‘maintaining the quality and beauty of our areas landscape,’ or the ‘natural beauty of this area’ that is so ‘extremely important to our tourists and residents and must be protected if we are to continue to be a top tourist destination.’” He should have stopped there but, he didn’t. He went on to state that “He is positive that he agrees with those statements.”
Mea culpa, subsequent events have convinced the Ole Seagull that he was wrong. “Mayor Lou” was closer to being right than he was when he said that if it was up to him that he’d build it 35 stories high instead of the 12 stories that the Branson Board of Aldermen compromised on.
At that meeting, one of the very first things pointed out by Mr. Rick Huffman, the CEO of HCW, one of the projects developers, was that there would be no TIF or other public funds requested by the developers for the project. That’s right folks, all their own money with no government subsidy! Now there’s a refreshing difference between this and most other “New Branson” projects. Isn’t that the way Old Branson grew and prospered, individual investment, effort, and risk?
When the issue of fire safety was raised, Branson Fire Chief, Carl Sparks, addressed the question in a professional manner that left no doubt in this Ole Seagull’s mind that fire safety would not be an issue because of the buildings height. Branson is blessed with a great fire department and personnel who are constantly training for the changing environments that they might encounter. A high-rise over ten stories is just one other situation that they will train for and handle in the same professional manner they would handle any other situation. When that factor is coupled with the increased fire safety building requirements for high-rises, where’s a legitimate concern?
By far, the biggest concerns related to the effect of the development blocking the view, effecting our natural beauty and the land, and the initial impression that people would get as they came into Branson. Things really fell into perspective when, while sitting at River Run Outfitters drinking coffee, a fellow fly fisher, local businessman, entrepreneur, and restaurateur, laughingly, asked two simple questions, “What view?” and “What first impression do people get now as they drive into Branson?”
As one drives into Branson from the north they get quick glimpses of the Branson Tourism Center and Branson One Stop. Of course that’s only after getting an eyeful of the Home Depot, perched high a top the nakedness of the Branson Hills “rock pile.” What’s the next thing they see? Is it not a big head with a funny fur cap on it at the north end of Yakov’s Theatre? One can only wonder how many drive by each day and think “What a view!”
Exactly what view or Ozark beauty will the project be blocking that the current development on the property is not currently blocking? From what an Ole Seagull has seen, especially while driving in from the north, not much.
In terms of its effect on, or respect for, the land; is the development being developed on virgin Ozark hills and woodlands or is it being built by replacing the asphalt, cement, and development that has already taken place? Even a cursory drive by the site will show the obvious.
As to the first impression on visitors, is it not just possible that, while serving as the “25 story cement and glass symbol to the New Branson,” the building could also generate excitement and symbolize the constantly evolving entertainment experience and expectation that has come to be known as “Branson?”
Some might ask, “Why bring it up, isn’t it a done deal at 12 stories?” Sure it is and what are the odds that Rockaway Beach will have casino gambling approved in 2008.
