Board approves first readings for Branson Meadows tax‑increment plan, developer says project will add sports, museum, hotel and workforce housing

Branson aldermen completed first readings of multiple ordinances on Aug. 26 to advance a package of public incentives for the 136‑acre Branson Meadows redevelopment near Gretna Road and Town and Country Drive, a project the developer says will include a year‑round sports complex, a 200‑room hotel, a large interactive “Bridal Encounter” museum and about 260 residential units including 150 workforce units.

The incentive package combines pay‑as‑you‑go tax‑increment financing (TIF), a proposed 1% community improvement district (CID) sales tax, a proposed 1% transportation development district (TDD) sales tax and an estimated Chapter 100 construction‑materials sales‑tax exemption. Lindsay Kolish, the city’s outside economic development counsel, summarized the plan and said the total public reimbursement cap for the development incentives is $82,400,000 and that the city is not underwriting bonds for the project.

Why it matters: city staff and the developer said the project is intended to diversify Branson’s tourism economy by creating year‑round visitation (sports tournaments, an indoor/outdoor fieldhouse and an interactive museum), add hotel capacity and provide workforce housing that developers say will help fill local jobs year‑round.

Key details and timeline - The redevelopment area covers about 136 acres and is divided into three redevelopment project areas: two developed by Branson Meadows TIFCo LLC and a roughly 17‑acre city project area the city or its designee would develop. Kolish said developer phases are expected to start in 2027 with some completion dates stretching to 2032; the city project was described as starting late 2026 or early 2027 and completing by 2029. - Public incentives: the TIF reimbursement cap is $73,800,000 (part of the overall $82.4 million cap), CID sales‑tax reimbursement $4,200,000, TDD sales‑tax reimbursement $4,200,000, and an estimated Chapter 100 sales‑tax…