Downtown shopping district construction concerns

At their May 13, 2025, meeting of the Branson Board of Aldermen (Board), during the Public Comment portion of the meeting, several expressed concerns about the “way” work was proceeding on Phase 4 of the Downtown Streetscape Project (Project). To address some of those concerns, an interview with Michael Woods, Public Works/Engineering Director for the City of Branson, took place on May 15, 2025. The interview portion about those concerns is below. It’s in a Q&A format with the questions by this writer (GG) and answers from Woods (MW).

GG: What one thing do you want people to know about the Project?

MW: Our amazing Historic Downtown Shopping District remains completely open for business during construction.

GG: Under the Agreement, does the contractor have to work “24 hours per day?”

MW: No. Under the Agreement, the contractor may work 24 hours a day, but there is no requirement.

Photo courtesy City of Branson

GG: Then why have the provision in there in the first place?

MW: To encourage and provide the contractor with the flexibility to do what is necessary to complete the Project by at least the Agreement’s Completion Dates and preferably earlier if possible. This 24-hour schedule allows the most disruptive activities, such as jackhammering, concrete placement, and curing, to occur overnight when businesses are closed. We made a clear commitment to ensure businesses can open their doors every single day. This approach protects daily operations, supports continued sales, and avoids the need for any business closures.

GG: What are the completion dates?

MW: There is a Project Completion Date of October 15, 2025, and two 14-day completion windows, one for each intersection, Main and Commercial Street, and Main and Sycamore Street, that trigger on each once the work begins at the intersection.

GG: What is the significance of the Project Completion date?

MW: There are penalty and bonus provisions built into the Agreement to encourage the contractor to complete the Project early, as well as penalty provisions if they don’t. Both trigger on the Project Completion Date.

GG: What are those provisions for the October 15, 2025, Project Completion date?

MW: If it is not completed by October 15, there is a penalty of $4,000 every day after that. If they finish early, a $4,000 a day bonus is subject to a 30-day “cap.” If they finish 30 days early, the bonus is $120,000, 15 days early $60,000, etc.

GG: What are those provisions related to the 14-day requirement for the intersection work on the Main Street and Commercial Street and Main Street and Sycamore Street intersections?

MW: Once the contractor starts working on one, they must complete the intersection within 14 days. If they take longer than 14 days on an intersection, there is a penalty of $4,000 every day after that. Unlike the overall Project Completion Date, there is no bonus for finishing these intersections early.

GG: Some comments expressed that they have seen workers standing around doing nothing, or there have been days when no one has been working. Do you have anything to say about that?

MW: As with most construction contracts, the city is legally prohibited from directing and controlling the contract’s specific means and work methods. The contractor can choose work times and plans, such as whether to tear out or pour concrete at night.

GG: Some said that they were not aware of the starting date of the Project?

MW: The City of Branson implemented a comprehensive approach to keep the public informed about the Project, focusing on proactive communication and actively seeking and responding to public input.

Significant effort went into obtaining and responding to public input, and extensive community involvement has been central to the Project from its inception. The city hosted multiple public hearings during the planning and design phases to gather input and maximize the Project’s benefits while minimizing disruptions. City staff and engineers met individually with every business in the Project area to actively listen to their concerns, collect feedback and incorporate suggestions into the final design.

This direct input influenced key project decisions; for instance, based on feedback emphasizing the importance of March sales for spring break, the city initially chose to begin the Project on April 1. After hearing from some businesses about expected straggling schools, the city and the contractor agreed to wait an extra week, until April 7, to shut down the road for Phase 4, allowing for additional uninterrupted sales.

GG: Where can interested parties get current information on the Project?

MW: One way is the official project webpage, www.bransonmo.gov/991/Historic-Downtown-Streetscape-Project, which is continuously updated with the latest news, street closures and progress milestones for Phase 4. To provide real-time notifications, the city offers a text messaging service; individuals can subscribe by texting DWNTBRANSON to 417-807-2075 to receive updates on lane closures, detours and phase completions. Updates are also regularly posted on the City of Branson Facebook page, offering project updates, behind-the-scenes looks and reminders that businesses remain accessible.