Branson historic downtown project in its final stages

BRANSON, Mo. — Branson's historic downtown is nearing its final phase of the downtown streetscape project. During a Board Of Aldermen study session Tuesday evening, engineers gave the city an update on when construction is slated to begin.

Phase four of the Historic Downtown Streetscape project is set to break ground in January 2025. Michael Woods — the City of Branson's director of public works and engineering — says downtown's revitalization will help businesses.

"Come January, we're going to get started down there. We're going to address all the ADA issues that are down there, along with some signage and some beautiful lighting that are going to go down there and hopefully spark the new businesses that are coming in and out," Woods said.

The nearly five-million-dollar idea for the streetscape project has been in the works for over a decade. Some local businesses are grateful the project will be impacting them.

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"We're so excited about the underground getting to where it needs to be and then getting a facelift, a very badly needed facelift," Steve Hartley said.

Dicks Five And Ten is one downtown business that has stood there since 1961. Hartly is a co-wonder and is grateful that downtown will have a uniform look.

"We've learned a lot with the first three phases and just excited to get this going," Hartly said. "And be consistent having downtown Branson, having one consistent look now."

The project is expected to be completed by early summer before tourists come to explore for the season.