The project, currently being developed under a working title of "Branson Landing" will open, in phases, through 2005. The retail component will open in mid-2004 and the convention center will begin hosting groups in late 2005.

The complex will be developed and overseen by HCW under a 99-year lease from the City of Branson.

Branson Landing will be situated on over one mile of waterfront land adjacent to downtown Branson, approximately one mile from the popular Midwestern destination's entertainment, theater and attractions area. The site for Branson Landing has been under redevelopment for the past two years and construction will begin this spring.

The most prominent features within Branson Landing will be: 

• A 220,000 square-foot convention center that will include 60,000 square feet of exhibition space, 20,000 square feet of ballrooms and 15,000 square feet of meeting space. The remainder of the space will be utilized for lobby space, pre-function space and operational necessities such as catering and laundry. 
• A 300-room convention hotel, which will adjoin the convention center. 
• A waterfront promenade more than 1.2 miles long, featuring fashionable retail shopping outlets, dining venues and activity centers. 
• A 90,000 square-foot aquarium that will feature exotic salt-water fish, including large predators. 
• A spectacular evening focus event that will feature a visually stunning water, lights and music entertainment experience. The venue will be developed to accommodate special events that, by themselves, will attract new visitors to Branson.

HCW Development principal Rick Huffman said the waterfront development's thematic characteristics will complement the heritage of the Branson area, while adding contemporary features that will appeal to younger audiences.  "Branson Landing will give current visitors with reason to stay an extra day.  It will appeal to audiences that, until now, may have not chosen to visit Branson. It will be particularly appealing to families."

Huffman said the waterfront complex will be comparable to San Antonio's Riverwalk or Baltimore's Inner Harbor. "This will be a venue that will attract attention beyond the Midwest," said Huffman.

A public/private venture, whose plans were approved by the City of Branson's Board of Alderman on Feb. 18, Branson Landing will be funded by tax increment financing (TIF). Under the TIF financing concept, revenue bonds will be sold by the State of Missouri to finance the public elements of Branson Landing. Once open, the state will then return to the City of Branson a portion of new revenues generated in the redeveloped area.

The TIF bonds will be necessary to finance the new convention center and related improvements within the Branson Landing complex. Plans for sale of the TIF revenue bonds are expected to be formally approved by June 2003.

Branson annually attracts more than 7.5 million visitors and is ranked 16th among all overnight leisure destinations in the United States. The Branson area boasts more than 60,000 theater seats, 22,000 lodging rooms and is home to nationally-recognized entertainment and more than 200 retail shopping outlets.

Rick Huffman
CEO
HCW Development
+1-417-332-3443
[email protected]