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Downtown construction draws business complaints; aldermen promise marketing and relief talks
Summary
Multiple downtown business owners told the Board of Aldermen that phased downtown street, sidewalk and sewer construction has sharply reduced customers; city staff and aldermen said they would organize a marketing-and-support meeting and explore potential short-term relief measures.
Several downtown Branson business owners told the Board of Aldermen that an ongoing phase of streetscape, sewer and sidewalk work has reduced foot traffic and sales as crews work along a block of Main Street.
Owners described days with no on-site workers, 40–70% drops in sales for some businesses, difficulties accessing stores with wheelchairs and walkers because of barricades, and urgent rent and operating-cost pressures during the slow season. Several owners said they had not received timely, direct notification when bidding and scheduling changed.
Business owners at the meeting asked the city to delay the work, provide direct financial assistance for rent or utilities, and step up marketing to drive customers to open shops. One owner said the contractor had pledged 24/7 work to finish early but then did not show on many days.
City staff and aldermen explained the timeline and constraints. Staff said the city first sought bids to complete the project in January–February but received no bidders for the original constrained schedule; after re-soliciting the work the city accepted bids that required a March start. City staff said the 75‑day duration applies to the single block currently under construction and that the overall phase of work would continue later into the summer and into October for later phases. Staff and the mayor emphasized that the project addresses failing sewer and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sidewalk needs and that delays can increase costs and public‑health risks.
Elected officials proposed immediate and short-term help. Alderman LeBlanc urged a meeting of marketing and creative stakeholders to organize outreach and advertising to push tourists to downtown; the board directed staff to organize that meeting “by the end of this week, Monday at the latest.” Alderman Artie proposed, as one option to study, temporarily forgoing the city’s business sales tax for affected businesses through October; the mayor said that would be a discussion item for a future meeting. Board members also discussed stricter contract language to require continuous, progressive work so contractors do not leave a site idle during good weather.
City staff said public‑works staff have made more than 120 hours of face‑to‑face contact with downtown merchants since planning began and would continue daily on‑site oversight; staff also pledged to increase signage, consider advertising and coordinate with the historic downtown Community Improvement District on possible complementary measures.
No formal financial relief was adopted at the meeting. The board approved a directive to city staff to convene a stakeholder meeting to identify immediate marketing, signage and traffic‑management steps and said aldermen would consider financial relief options at a later meeting.
