Study session set for Branson TIF proposal

The Branson Board of Aldermen will hold a noon study session Thursday on a proposed public financing plan for the nearly $446 million Branson Adventures project.

Local developer David Cushman and a team of out-of-state consultants, collectively composing CP Branson LLC, plan to build an indoor-outdoor resort on Branson’s west side. The attraction features a hotel, customizable whitewater rafting course and an indoor waterpark, among other amenities.

The team seeks roughly $115.6 million in public financing for the project proposed to sit on 302 acres fronting state Highway 76 and state Highway 376. The financing plan includes about $80 million in tax increment financing and roughly $18.6 million in city-pledged sales tax revenue.

As for the study session, Branson Communications Manager Melody Pettit said city staff have been collecting questions from the public on the financing proposal.

The meeting will be held at Branson’s City Hall Council Chambers, 110 W. Maddux St., to address some 100 inquiries submitted to the city.

“Back in March, we put out an all-call for questions,” Pettit said. “We wanted questions from the public.”

During the study session, the aldermen and city staff will work through the list, though Pettit said they will not open public comment on the proposed financing.

“We have a team of people with the city who have taken each question and have done their best to do some research,” she said. “If we can’t get to every single question, we do have some time blocked off in the next study session to address that.”

She said a second study session would be held April 19. Public comment on the proposed financing will open when the plan is tentatively up for review by Branson’s mayor and aldermen on April 24, Pettit said.

She said the financing plan is tentatively set for final review on May 8.