SDCFans - The Unofficial Fan Site For Silver Dollar City
General Category => Branson Talk => Topic started by: shavethewhales on June 04, 2014, 07:04:40 PM
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The debate over how to diversify Branson keeps chugging along: http://www.npr.org/2014/05/26/315978148/ozark-tourist-town-branson-mo-debates-how-to-diversify?ft=1&f=
I'm not a fan of casinos for so many reasons. I'm not sure they would necessarily destroy Branson since so much of the town is already a massive blight of strip mall developments, but they would bring in some sinister elements. That said, the pressure is building for Branson to put up or shut up. While general branson tourism has been ticking up, so many individual attractions are having a pretty tough time and it feels like the attractions industry is limping along. It needs a shot in the arm somehow - we need another big name attraction to make it worth flying in.
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I agree with you Shave, but don't think casinos are the answer either.
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There are plenty of places for that stuff, and we avoid them all.
Branson does not need to strive to be like everyone else. It must remain unique in its offerings.
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but they would bring in some sinister elements. That said, the pressure is building for Branson to put up or shut up.
Several years when Rockaway Beach tried to get gambling I thought is was a good idea. As long as the gambling was strictly limited in advertisements " in " Branson and it were kept out of the " family view". I don't think it would be such a bad addition done properly.
I could certainly foresee public transport to take you to the casinos provided of corse by the casinos at their expense. Mom and the kinds can stay at White Water or SDC and Dad can play a little 21. It would seem to bring more entertainment with it as well.
The Grand Palace is a shame sitting there empty. It was also brought up that they start to book touring stage productions that could draw from the entire area.
I am not sure if this would work but man I would prefer this over the rap scare we had several years back.
What do you think are some possible new attractions for the Branson area?
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Mom and the kinds can stay at White Water or SDC and Dad can play a little 21.[/quote]
That would be the problem...
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Hollywood I completely understand, I myself don't gamble. I have dropped a few dollars at a machine on a ship but its too hard to come by to give it away like that.
I guess I should have been a little more clear. If they were able to put gambling in Rockaway Beach out of sight from the family friendly city of Branson and keep out advertising in Branson it would be a much better alternative to letting it in Branson. I am not a gambling advocate but if it is going to be around place it out of sight of the family's.
Bus the people over there to avoid the drinking and driving. I am not saying this is ideal but it may be a better alternative.
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Gambling would work if the state laws were adapted, but that would take a lot of time. I have heard the gambling horror stories, but I think it is just the moral police out in force. In my opinion Branson is going to need to go for a younger Demographic. The old hillbilly shows will not draw the young consumers. My daughters will not go near the place. A mixed entertainment district with micro breweries and a good mix of restaurants and nightclubs would help. Also rap is not all bad. The PTB in the community caused a big ado over nothing a few years back that set back efforts to upgrade the entertainment in the area. But, what do you expect when your mayor is a show owner. Also, how about taking the celebration city site and turn it into a Aquarium , white water, winter time complex with a ice rink and snow skiing in the winter. A great addition, but HFE will not sell to a competitor and seem to have no interest in developing a new concept. Touring acts and festival style music events would also help.
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I have become a fan of bluegrass, and have come to learn that you can book very high quality bluegrass bands for much lower fees than country music acts. I would like to a see a Branson theater bring in the best national bluegrass bands for a week or so at a time, with perhaps an anchor bluegrass band that plays in the theater every day. I know the Starlite is doing that a little bit, but I would like to see it really expanded.
Do y'all think that would be a good idea?
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Whether it happens sooner or later, gambling is the end-all in Branson. It will happen some day as a last ditch effort. Someone will push for it and it will slowly build steam. Don't get me wrong--I hate this idea, but it's going to happen someday.
They need to sell the CC area, but they won't. They should turn the whole area into a very large outdoor theatre where they can bring in BIG acts and maybe have a BIG music festival every year. I also like what Runner said about turning it into an aquarium. If done right (and by right I mean BIG like the aquarium in Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo) it will definitely get people through the turnstyles.
I'm not sure what can save these smaller theaters. The problem is that all these shows basically (I know there are minor differences) follow the same act as the Baldknobbers Jubilee, etc. Sing some songs, play some fiddles, put a yokel hillbilly out there to tell some jokes, have some kids play fiddles, sing some gospel, have a sing-a-long, and show's over. That formula is used too much.
I'm not sure if this has been done before, but why not try to get some Broadway shows, or Broadway-style shows? I bet that if someone had the capital and the guts to invest in hiring writers to come up with a musical that is themed to the area (hillbilly's, the west, history, etc.) it would really take off. Now this would be different than the SOTH. That is an outdoor theater that uses local actors and is an adaptation of a book. What I'm talking about is a real Broadway-style musical with all the glitz, glamour, and talent. It would sell out every night and then some, and could lead to more.
But maybe I'm wrong in all of this. Maybe it's been tried before, or maybe it wouldn't work. But the same old shows with different names thing isn't working.
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What is Lake of the Ozarks area doing to keep it going? I know very little about that area as I would never put a boat the size of mine on that crazy lake. Branson is always bustling when I am there. From the looks of crowds, it doesn't seem that they are hurting. I realize that businesses are hurting, especially shows, but I wonder if the crowds have migrated to the lakes instead. Believe me, I think lake traffic has doubled lately! We make marina reservations months in advance to be assured of dock space. I've seen wait times of an hour to get boats in the water at ramps and lines at the marinas to purchase gas. It wasn't like this 10 years ago.
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What is Lake of the Ozarks area doing to keep it going? I know very little about that area as I would never put a boat the size of mine on that crazy lake. Branson is always bustling when I am there. From the looks of crowds, it doesn't seem that they are hurting. I realize that businesses are hurting, especially shows, but I wonder if the crowds have migrated to the lakes instead. Believe me, I think lake traffic has doubled lately! We make marina reservations months in advance to be assured of dock space. I've seen wait times of an hour to get boats in the water at ramps and lines at the marinas to purchase gas. It wasn't like this 10 years ago.
This is truth. Every year my dad mentions that the boat traffic is getting heavier. He always says that when he would take the boat out thirty years ago it was nothing but fishing boats, but now you can't go out there on the weekends without bumping into somebody. Table Rock is not struggling to get visitors, that's for sure.
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My son is 11, plays little league. He is no where good enough to play on some of the traveling squads but my Brother and lived on the road in the summer playing for traveling teams out of Memphis all the way up to American Legion ball. My my weeks around the complex here at Walker Park in Fayetteville, I've brought up the Red Roof proposal to fellow parents with kids that will join up with a team that travels after league and it's got a positive response most really think the replica aspect 9 the ball fields will be cool.
A resort style casino is the only kind I'd ever want to see at Branson not just a 150 room hotel tower, gaming floor and small performance hall one. Think of one that takes its design cues from the Ozark with a nice golf course, shooting range, spa and so on. Heck, just convince Mr. Bass Pro to do it.
I've shared other thoughts numerous times about the CC Area and the need for a grander scale indoor waterpark type of resort like the Wilderness at the Smokies.
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The idea of a casino in the Branson area, no matter how much it would benefit the economy is not even possible. In 2004 the proposal to allow a casino on the White River lakes was voted down. In part, people who would be against any casino, any place. Also because of blind opposition, and greed of those who think something successfully drawing tourists to Rockaway Beach would cost them business in Branson. The truth is quite the opposite. A casino in Rockaway Beach, Kimberling City, or anywhere close to Branson would draw people who never considered going to Branson to the entire area. They would go to Branson for restaurants, shopping, and just to see what it is all about.
Secondly, in 2008, the laws in Missouri were changed limiting casinos to those existing, or under construction.
It may not be impossible to change the law, but its about as likely as Rush Limbaugh being invited to be the keynote speaker at the Democrat National Convention!
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The idea of a casino in the Branson area, no matter how much it would benefit the economy is not even possible. In 2004 the proposal to allow a casino on the White River lakes was voted down. In part, people who would be against any casino, any place. Also because of blind opposition, and greed of those who think something successfully drawing tourists to Rockaway Beach would cost them business in Branson. The truth is quite the opposite. A casino in Rockaway Beach, Kimberling City, or anywhere close to Branson would draw people who never considered going to Branson to the entire area. They would go to Branson for restaurants, shopping, and just to see what it is all about.
Secondly, in 2008, the laws in Missouri were changed limiting casinos to those existing, or under construction.
It may not be impossible to change the law, but its about as likely as Rush Limbaugh being invited to be the keynote speaker at the Democrat National Convention!
I bet no one thought Harrison /Boone Co Ar would be wet 4 years ago either.
I get the Herchends are against it and all but if the right person came along and presented a proposal where the casino was just a part of the overall project the wheels to change the laws could be put I motion again.
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Anyone notice that the Mr. Bass Pro is redoing parts of Dogwood Canyon too.
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If Branson embraces (C)rap, microbreweries, gambing, etc, then count me out. I can get that garbage here in OKC. I go there to escape.
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If Branson embraces (C)rap, microbreweries, gambing, etc, then count me out. I can get that garbage here in OKC. I go there to escape.
I think the ball complex is a move in the right direction. As in anything though your entertainment is not my entertainment and that does not mean that either one is crap. As a example we used to attend Silver Dollar city on Memorial day and labor day weekends every year, but since they have now stuffed them full of music ( bluegrass and Southern gospel) both types of which I have no desire for, we choose to take our entertainment dollars elsewhere. If there were other options for entertainment in Branson we maybe would still come down there, but there is just no nighttime activity. I enjoy a good craft beer with a nice sitdown meal and good rock and rap music. Obviously I am out of touch with middle America moral values.
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Ok, I'll throw my 2 cents in on the sports complex. As a former coach and parent of a competitive baseball team I can tell you this.....when my team came into a town for a tournament, it is understood by all that the kids will spend as much time as possible resting between games. Swimming (the giant energy killer) was absolutely forbidden and we stuck to a strict bedtime schedule. Having a sports complex is NOT going to fix tourism in Branson. It will provide a small boost due to the fact that most teams will be staying in motels and that teams will lose out and some may have committed to 3 night stay. BUT, for teams still in the running, those kiddos will be in the motels resting folks. Competitive teams will have their players resting....not running around on the strip. They MIGHT plan for an extra day after the tournament has finished, but in this case if it was my team, we would head out to SDC then head home. For the most part, we always brought our own food, or hit the grocery store so restaurant gains will be minimal as well.
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If Branson embraces (C)rap, microbreweries, gambing, etc, then count me out. I can get that garbage here in OKC. I go there to escape.
What do you have against Microbreweries? Some are well executed and would be an asset to us sinners.
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Ok, I'll throw my 2 cents in on the sports complex. As a former coach and parent of a competitive baseball team I can tell you this.....when my team came into a town for a tournament, it is understood by all that the kids will spend as much time as possible resting between games. Swimming (the giant energy killer) was absolutely forbidden and we stuck to a strict bedtime schedule. Having a sports complex is NOT going to fix tourism in Branson. It will provide a small boost due to the fact that most teams will be staying in motels and that teams will lose out and some may have committed to 3 night stay. BUT, for teams still in the running, those kiddos will be in the motels resting folks. Competitive teams will have their players resting....not running around on the strip. They MIGHT plan for an extra day after the tournament has finished, but in this case if it was my team, we would head out to SDC then head home. For the most part, we always brought our own food, or hit the grocery store so restaurant gains will be minimal as well.
My brother played for the Memphis Tigers organization from 6th grade to American Legion. Most every kid that made their teams in the later years got drafted or college scholarships. My Brother signed with Ole Miss out of high school but decided to just enjoy his college years in the summer leading up frosh year and came to Fayetteville where I was at. If there was time to swim or blow stream before bedtime they did. We did as well, though my team wasn't as near as competitive as his organization. We always hit one or two restaurants. Heck, I remember seeing Batman in Paducah KY after eating at the Tuesdays in the Mall there and swimming at the pool at the Hotel/Convention center on the River and we came in second losing in the championship game to Goose Gossage's son. Besides while playing a weekend tourney there. Was an old amusement park where the ball fields were. on the River. Besides, sometimes there's a kid or two in tow that isn't playing like their sibling and they will often escape. Just saying it's not as absolute as you make it sound. I've seen my brother pitch a game and catch two others on the same days before so I know how it can be grueling. If anything, folks will see stuff and say, we need to come back without baseball being part of the reason.
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If Branson embraces (C)rap, microbreweries, gambing, etc, then count me out. I can get that garbage here in OKC. I go there to escape.
Let's see, Branson already has Sports bars like Time Out, a distillery, Copper Run just up the road near Walnut Shade, and plans are in the works for a Buffalo Wild Wings. Guess you're gonna be spending a lot more time in OKC.
Micro brewery, what a great idea! Copper Run has a few beers from micro breweries fairly close, in addition to their great distilled spirits. Fun place to. But a micro brewery....Great, wish I had the funds on hand to open one.
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What is Lake of the Ozarks area doing to keep it going? I know very little about that area as I would never put a boat the size of mine on that crazy lake. Branson is always bustling when I am there. From the looks of crowds, it doesn't seem that they are hurting. I realize that businesses are hurting, especially shows, but I wonder if the crowds have migrated to the lakes instead. Believe me, I think lake traffic has doubled lately! We make marina reservations months in advance to be assured of dock space. I've seen wait times of an hour to get boats in the water at ramps and lines at the marinas to purchase gas. It wasn't like this 10 years ago.
Bars, bars, night clubs, condos, bars, more bars, more condos, party cove, more night clubs, and more bars. That is what they are doing. I live there (or close enough to it at any rate) and go to Branson to get away from it. As much as funlake.com would like you to believe there are not very many family friendly attractions. It's pretty much a playground for the rich with no holds barred.
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What is Lake of the Ozarks area doing to keep it going? I know very little about that area as I would never put a boat the size of mine on that crazy lake. Branson is always bustling when I am there. From the looks of crowds, it doesn't seem that they are hurting. I realize that businesses are hurting, especially shows, but I wonder if the crowds have migrated to the lakes instead. Believe me, I think lake traffic has doubled lately! We make marina reservations months in advance to be assured of dock space. I've seen wait times of an hour to get boats in the water at ramps and lines at the marinas to purchase gas. It wasn't like this 10 years ago.
Bars, bars, night clubs, condos, bars, more bars, more condos, party cove, more night clubs, and more bars. That is what they are doing. I live there (or close enough to it at any rate) and go to Branson to get away from it. As much as funlake.com would like you to believe there are not very many family friendly attractions. It's pretty much a playground for the rich with no holds barred.
That's pretty much what I thought. A few years ago, my Army captain son and some fellow comrades booked a few nights at LOTO. They had no idea where to stay and ended up at what they thought must be the only family resort on the lake. They found party cove so all was not lost! ;D
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Like them or not, microbreweries won't be much of a problem. It's when gambling comes out. They already have wineries and as others mentioned a few new bars that sell microbrews.
I understand why someone doesn't want Branson to change. It's the only place that is different in an old-fashioned sort of way. But the problem is that the people like us who enjoy that part are becoming fewer and further between.
Personally I have nothing against gambling, rock, rap, beer (love it!), or night life. However, I like that Branson is different than your typical tourist attraction. I can go to any major city and find all of that stuff. I can't go just anywhere and find what I do at Branson.
The hotels, ice cream shops, go carts, and maybe a few restaurants and white water on off days are going to get more business from the baseball complex. No competitive team allows their players to do whatever they like on game days anymore. It's getting more and more advanced. Off days, perhaps.
Does anyone else have any other ideas of what Branson can do to boost tourism without selling their soul?
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Like them or not, microbreweries won't be much of a problem. It's when gambling comes out. They already have wineries and as others mentioned a few new bars that sell microbrews.
I understand why someone doesn't want Branson to change. It's the only place that is different in an old-fashioned sort of way. But the problem is that the people like us who enjoy that part are becoming fewer and further between.
Personally I have nothing against gambling, rock, rap, beer (love it!), or night life. However, I like that Branson is different than your typical tourist attraction. I can go to any major city and find all of that stuff. I can't go just anywhere and find what I do at Branson.
The hotels, ice cream shops, go carts, and maybe a few restaurants and white water on off days are going to get more business from the baseball complex. No competitive team allows their players to do whatever they like on game days anymore. It's getting more and more advanced. Off days, perhaps.
Does anyone else have any other ideas of what Branson can do to boost tourism without selling their soul?
You call it advanced, I call it a damn shame
Anyway to get a feel of a few little big league fields:
(http://assets.atlasobscura.com/media/BAhbCVsHOgZmSSJGdXBsb2Fkcy9wbGFjZV9pbWFnZXMvNThmZTM2M2I1MGFjYTQzMGUwODUyOWJjZjQzODRlNTczNGE1YzFjYi5qcGcGOgZFVFsIOgZwOgp0aHVtYkkiCng0MDA+BjsGVFsHOwc6CnN0cmlwWwk7BzoMY29udmVydEkiEC1xdWFsaXR5IDkxBjsGVDA/58fe363b50aca430e08529bcf4384e5734a5c1cb.jpg)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JvaoyCwbcLI/SikvH9qwMyI/AAAAAAAAALc/qKzD9EpBMaQ/s320/Little_Fenway_Park.jpg)
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Ok, I'll throw my 2 cents in on the sports complex. As a former coach and parent of a competitive baseball team I can tell you this.....when my team came into a town for a tournament, it is understood by all that the kids will spend as much time as possible resting between games. Swimming (the giant energy killer) was absolutely forbidden and we stuck to a strict bedtime schedule. Having a sports complex is NOT going to fix tourism in Branson. It will provide a small boost due to the fact that most teams will be staying in motels and that teams will lose out and some may have committed to 3 night stay. BUT, for teams still in the running, those kiddos will be in the motels resting folks. Competitive teams will have their players resting....not running around on the strip. They MIGHT plan for an extra day after the tournament has finished, but in this case if it was my team, we would head out to SDC then head home. For the most part, we always brought our own food, or hit the grocery store so restaurant gains will be minimal as well.
I actually see the sports complex as a stand alone attraction and not something to draw people to other attractions. They will be spending money on food and rooms. Anything else they spend on would be a bonus.
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Branson used to be about families. Y'all just want to turn it into another Las Vegas. If the PTB decide to follow your lead and sell out like that, then I will never ever go back.
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Branson used to be about families. Y'all just want to turn it into another Las Vegas. If the PTB decide to follow your lead and sell out like that, then I will never ever go back.
I'm 41, married with a 12 and 10 year old. I am the demographic. A resort casino, properly executed out on a cove of a lake somewhere isn't turning it into Vegas. Good grief the Chicken Little syndrome is running rampant. When I was my kids age I want to Branson and Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg quite regular. Not much difference but boy there is a growing separation now. Why is that? Much of what I mention is there. It seems family friendly as ever.
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We can debate the merits of new attractions without stepping on what other people like.
I think what is really being questioned here is whether Branson can diversify its attractions while also keeping what makes it special in tact, much like what SDC has been experiencing. Gambling isn't the only type of diversity Branson could focus on, and the concept of 'family-oriented' is certainly open to interpretation.
I'd like to see the return of the creative attractions that were proposed right before the recent bust, but on a smaller scale. At one point a resort was proposed that would recreate a European mountain village. They way they went about it was doomed to fail regardless of the financial crisis merely because they went all out and wanted to spend something on the order of half a billion dollars on it. Scale that down to the size of Grand Village and maybe a little traction could be gained.
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Branson used to be about families. Y'all just want to turn it into another Las Vegas. If the PTB decide to follow your lead and sell out like that, then I will never ever go back.
I'm 41, married with a 12 and 10 year old. I am the demographic. A resort casino, properly executed out on a cove of a lake somewhere isn't turning it into Vegas. Good grief the Chicken Little syndrome is running rampant. When I was my kids age I want to Branson and Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg quite regular. Not much difference but boy there is a growing separation now. Why is that? Much of what I mention is there. It seems family friendly as ever.
Agree, I do not see anything here being opposed to family's . I am 55 with 2 kids 27 and 24. We enjoy a beer or 2 together at micro brews wherever we go. Do not really see anything anti family about that. We also enjoy going to rock concerts together still. Nothing anti family about that either. What is being proposed here is to bring in the younger demographic but not eliminating what is already there. A good mix is always welcome. Just like SDC is struggling with its identity. You cannot expect the younger generation to get excited about broom makers and such , so you mix it up to include everyone. Got to do it to survive.
I really do not think gambling will ever come because of the major changes to state laws it would take. Right now the licensees are tapped out. I believe Cape Girardeau got the last one. Also the law only allows for casinos on the Missouri or Mississippi river i think. Not to say it could not be changed. My family would partake in a nice resort casino for a short time for entertainment.
Other proposals for ice skating rinks and skiing venues and entertainment districts are not anti family. Neither are proposals for touring Broadway shows and music festivals. I guess it is just what you decide is right for your family. As a family we enjoy a good Broadway production. Seen several over the years. Things like this would draw me back to Branson more often.
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By the artists renderings of the proposed baseball complex I'm not even sure it will add to the existing restaurant business. It looks like many of the existing buildings will be repurposed. Probably some to locker rooms for the fields, maybe meeting rooms, but by the artists conception drawings it looks slideshows, and restaurants as well.
As far as casinos, although unless some miracle of politics happens, they just aren't going to happen. So don't worry. But if that one in more than a million change happens the best idea is as hoped for before. Runaway Beach. A 15-20 minute drive for those who would want to enjoy gaming without it being in Branson.
The new Branson TV spots that have been running on St.Louis stations have been leaning in a new direction. Many more commercials than in the past few years. The first spots run didn't even mention shows, but keyed on golf, the lakes, and outdoor adventures. Now they are alternating with some with entertainment as the focus. But not so much of the "hillbilly" shows that many think of when Branson is mentioned. Good move on their part. Most of those I know who have the hillbilly image of Branson say they have no reason to go there. But if the word can get out that Branson offers much more than fiddles, banjos, high pocket bib overalls, and blacked out teeth, there just might be some new visitors interested.
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By the artists renderings of the proposed baseball complex I'm not even sure it will add to the existing restaurant business. It looks like many of the existing buildings will be repurposed. Probably some to locker rooms for the fields, maybe meeting rooms, but by the artists conception drawings it looks slideshows, and restaurants as well.
As far as casinos, although unless some miracle of politics happens, they just aren't going to happen. So don't worry. But if that one in more than a million change happens the best idea is as hoped for before. Runaway Beach. A 15-20 minute drive for those who would want to enjoy gaming without it being in Branson.
The new Branson TV spots that have been running on St.Louis stations have been leaning in a new direction. Many more commercials than in the past few years. The first spots run didn't even mention shows, but keyed on golf, the lakes, and outdoor adventures. Now they are alternating with some with entertainment as the focus. But not so much of the "hillbilly" shows that many think of when Branson is mentioned. Good move on their part. Most of those I know who have the hillbilly image of Branson say they have no reason to go there. But if the word can get out that Branson offers much more than fiddles, banjos, high pocket bib overalls, and blacked out teeth, there just might be some new visitors interested.
The outdoor aspect has so much room to grow with concepts of man made whitewater courses that don't feel the effects of low water and technologies like Snowflex that could bring activities like snowboarding to Branson pretty much year around.
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Even the zip line courses have been a move in the right direction.
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Even the zip line courses have been a move in the right direction.
Nothing like a good float with a good local beer with
(https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10269216_879183118775482_6814217404809965855_o.jpg)
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If Branson embraces (C)rap, microbreweries, gambing, etc, then count me out. I can get that garbage here in OKC. I go there to escape.
I think the ball complex is a move in the right direction. As in anything though your entertainment is not my entertainment and that does not mean that either one is crap. As a example we used to attend Silver Dollar city on Memorial day and labor day weekends every year, but since they have now stuffed them full of music ( bluegrass and Southern gospel) both types of which I have no desire for, we choose to take our entertainment dollars elsewhere. If there were other options for entertainment in Branson we maybe would still come down there, but there is just no nighttime activity. I enjoy a good craft beer with a nice sitdown meal and good rock and rap music. Obviously I am out of touch with middle America moral values.
The day we start hearing rock and rap music at SDC will be the day I stop attending. Like Okie said, we go to Branson and SDC to get away from that mess. I would hate to see gambling come to Branson. If you want to gamble go to Vegas. I've never been to Vegas and have no desire to go for that very reason. Branson is a family vacation spot. Why ruin that with a situation like the above scenario where the kids and mom stay at WW or SDC while dad goes off and gambles. That's not family like and in fact is anti-family. Just my opinion though...
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Why ruin that with a situation like the above scenario where the kids and mom stay at WW or SDC while dad goes off and gambles. That's not family like and in fact is anti-family. Just my opinion though...
It's hilarious how paranoid some people get about a casino coming to Branson. Read the Missouri statutes, it ain't gonna happen!!!
Secondly, why the sexist attitude about it? Obviously, you have never been in a casino. Especially a Missouri casino. Dad's go gambling while mom stays with the kids? LOL, probably at least a two to one ratio of women to men in the casinos I've been in. Probably an average age close to a Branson tour bus as well.
Rap music at SDC, I can see it. After all, they replaced a great restaurant with old time home cooking, ham & beans, fried chicken, corn bread, with an authentic 1800's Ozark Mountain pizza parlor!
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Why ruin that with a situation like the above scenario where the kids and mom stay at WW or SDC while dad goes off and gambles. That's not family like and in fact is anti-family. Just my opinion though...
It's hilarious how paranoid some people get about a casino coming to Branson. Read the Missouri statutes, it ain't gonna happen!!!
Secondly, why the sexist attitude about it? Obviously, you have never been in a casino. Especially a Missouri casino. Dad's go gambling while mom stays with the kids? LOL, probably at least a two to one ratio of women to men in the casinos I've been in. Probably an average age close to a Branson tour bus as well.
Rap music at SDC, I can see it. After all, they replaced a great restaurant with old time home cooking, ham & beans, fried chicken, corn bread, with an authentic 1800's Ozark Mountain pizza parlor!
All laws can change and sometimes rather suddenly, just remember that. They pass an electronic games of skill law in Arkansas kinda out of the thin blue sky like and boom, there's blackjack tables at Oaklawn complete with a dealer but instead of cards there's little video monitors in the tables. Oaklawn is expanding again.
http://www.katv.com/story/25335797/oaklawn-gaming-area-bringing-in-major-profits-for-city-expansion-underway
Hot Springs gain in Branson's loss.
But you hit on something with the two to one comment and average age comment, Yep, there's Branson's prolem right there. And I've said it many time, the explosion of casinos and then the second wave of casinos with hotels and small venues have slapped the Branson Theaters silly, heck Dolly is palying two shows at the Hard Rock in Tulsa and not a single show in Branson, there's your reality Branson.
I'm rather amused at the boogie man persona given to them. The classic "it'll be a dump" argument with the "Especially a Missouri" comment. Again, this is easily overcome with right protocols in place and would seem to offer an opportunity to better the market. Ya'll make Branson sound like it's church camp, it ain't and hasn't been for some time. Old Time Home Cooking you mean straight from a Sysco can, got ya.
Ya'll keep Branson the same and all that it'll be other than the shopping center for North Central Arkansas and SDC basically being the home park for a growing Springfield and NWA population and it will a dried up tourist destination. Many already just go to SDC without going into Branson. We do. I got mini golf, Bumper boats and go carts here in NWA already. White Water? Come on, it needs a MAJOR overhaul to overcome the increasing competition from much cheaper but growing in amenities municipal aquatic centers, Heck. there's a flow rider at Republic's aquatic center.
And who's paranoid, SDC may be changing but come on
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Why ruin that with a situation like the above scenario where the kids and mom stay at WW or SDC while dad goes off and gambles. That's not family like and in fact is anti-family. Just my opinion though...
It's hilarious how paranoid some people get about a casino coming to Branson. Read the Missouri statutes, it ain't gonna happen!!!
Secondly, why the sexist attitude about it? Obviously, you have never been in a casino. Especially a Missouri casino. Dad's go gambling while mom stays with the kids? LOL, probably at least a two to one ratio of women to men in the casinos I've been in. Probably an average age close to a Branson tour bus as well.
Rap music at SDC, I can see it. After all, they replaced a great restaurant with old time home cooking, ham & beans, fried chicken, corn bread, with an authentic 1800's Ozark Mountain pizza parlor!
All laws can change and sometimes rather suddenly, just remember that. They pass an electronic games of skill law in Arkansas kinda out of the thin blue sky like and boom, there's blackjack tables at Oaklawn complete with a dealer but instead of cards there's little video monitors in the tables. Oaklawn is expanding again.
http://www.katv.com/story/25335797/oaklawn-gaming-area-bringing-in-major-profits-for-city-expansion-underway
Hot Springs gain in Branson's loss.
But you hit on something with the two to one comment and average age comment, Yep, there's Branson's prolem right there. And I've said it many time, the explosion of casinos and then the second wave of casinos with hotels and small venues have slapped the Branson Theaters silly, heck Dolly is palying two shows at the Hard Rock in Tulsa and not a single show in Branson, there's your reality Branson.
I'm rather amused at the boogie man persona given to them. The classic "it'll be a dump" argument with the "Especially a Missouri" comment. Again, this is easily overcome with right protocols in place and would seem to offer an opportunity to better the market. Ya'll make Branson sound like it's church camp, it ain't and hasn't been for some time. Old Time Home Cooking you mean straight from a Sysco can, got ya.
Ya'll keep Branson the same and all that it'll be other than the shopping center for North Central Arkansas and SDC basically being the home park for a growing Springfield and NWA population and it will a dried up tourist destination. Many already just go to SDC without going into Branson. We do. I got mini golf, Bumper boats and go carts here in NWA already. White Water? Come on, it needs a MAJOR overhaul to overcome the increasing competition from much cheaper but growing in amenities municipal aquatic centers, Heck. there's a flow rider at Republic's aquatic center.
And who's paranoid, SDC may be changing but come on
It is also amazing that people do not see what is right in front of their face. Look at the strip for instance. A gradually declining mess of abandoned theaters and overgrown abandoned concrete lots surrounded by outdated cheap rent by the week motels filled with who knows what kind of people. Bet they aren't your family types. Branson is hurting. All you have to do is look. It will change or die.
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By the way don't they already play rock and a little rap during moonlight madness at SDC?
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In the last twelve months, I have visited Branson three times and Pigeon Forge twice. What can I say, I'm a Herschend groupie apparently. Prior to that I had visited both in 2005.
There's a huge difference between the two areas now. Pigeon Forge is thriving, and feels alive in a way that Branson simply does not right now. Of course, Pigeon Forge benefits a great deal from its location, but in 2005 they seemed similar to one another and now there is a stark difference. As a 24 year old, here's my thought process:
1. Restaurants. Pigeon Forge and the surrounding area have tons of touristy places, sure, but there's a lot of food around, whether it's chain food or good independent places. In Branson, there seem to be fewer restaurants and options. Maybe there are more in downtown Branson but by the strip they're lacking. A few touristy places seems about it. There's hardly even a chain restaurant around. Every time I'm out of SDC it's a constant struggle to figure out where to eat.
2. I don't understand the demonization of beer and casinos going on in this thread. Some of you apparently think that either or both will automatically result in tons of drunks or neglect. I'm not much of a drinker, but in my experience that's not the case. I know several people who would be drawn to microbreweries churning out quality product. I like them too because even if I don't want a beverage, they usually have good food in my experience.
One casino does not mean the area will turn into Vegas.
3. It's amazing that a city as show-dependent as Branson doesn't have a headlining concert venue.
4. There's no main draw. Every tourist trap (I love Branson, but let's face it...) has one or one type of main attraction. Wisconsin Dells has waterparks, Orlando has Disney, Pigeon Forge has the Smokies...what does Branson have? SDC, nature, and a lot of shows that don't appeal much to the younger demographic. I don't know what this attraction would be, or even if one can be organically developed to the area, but there's no "hook." SDC is an amazing place, but I've had a hard time explaining to people what it's really about. Whereas I don't have to explain to them what Six Flags or Cedar Point is about. And if they're not interested in Silver Dollar City, or nature, or the shows, what is there to offer them? How do you get them to the area?
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I'm not really understanding the whole demonization of casinos and craft breweries either. I've lived up in St. Charles, MO for the majority of my life, just recently moved down to Hollister. I lived right near Ameristar up in STC and I loved going down to historic Main Street there. Ameristar actually has really been beneficial to Main Street and increased business for many of the shops there and there was no noticeable downturn in the quality of it.
The craft brewery explosion is happening and I can easily see several popping up in the area in the next several years. My favorite place to get a drink when I was living in STC was a craft brewery and their popularity is surging, especially with the millennial crowd. Nothing wrong with getting a drink. I honestly don't believe that a couple breweries opening up are going to lead to the downfall of the family friendly atmosphere of Branson.
Now I've been coming to Branson and SDC since I was three or four. I'm now almost 30. The Branson I saw in my earlier years is almost the Branson I see now. The city and the park are going to have to adapt if they want to continue to bring the tourists here. I'm not really in favor of SDC getting away from its theme, but the city and surrounding area need to change and think outside their comfort zone if they don't want to lose out anymore.
Just the thoughts of a newbie here to the board and a long time visitor and new resident.
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SDC is fine and will do fine, it's the rest of the place. What Mr. Bass Pro is doing helps but it's out of town and you can easily spend a week at his properties and not think twice about going into town unless its for the wimmens to go shop. You can get to SDC completely avoiding Branson.
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What Mr. Bass Pro is doing helps but it's out of town and you can easily spend a week at his properties and not think twice about going into town
Exactly. One thing I noticed when looking at the website for Big Cedar. Mention of Branson attractions, shows, and restaurants were conspicuous by it's absence.
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If Branson embraces (C)rap, microbreweries, gambing, etc, then count me out. I can get that garbage here in OKC. I go there to escape.
I think the ball complex is a move in the right direction. As in anything though your entertainment is not my entertainment and that does not mean that either one is crap. As a example we used to attend Silver Dollar city on Memorial day and labor day weekends every year, but since they have now stuffed them full of music ( bluegrass and Southern gospel) both types of which I have no desire for, we choose to take our entertainment dollars elsewhere. If there were other options for entertainment in Branson we maybe would still come down there, but there is just no nighttime activity. I enjoy a good craft beer with a nice sitdown meal and good rock and rap music. Obviously I am out of touch with middle America moral values.
The day we start hearing rock and rap music at SDC will be the day I stop attending. Like Okie said, we go to Branson and SDC to get away from that mess. I would hate to see gambling come to Branson. If you want to gamble go to Vegas. I've never been to Vegas and have no desire to go for that very reason. Branson is a family vacation spot. Why ruin that with a situation like the above scenario where the kids and mom stay at WW or SDC while dad goes off and gambles. That's not family like and in fact is anti-family. Just my opinion though...
I'm afraid you're a few days late. Saturday morning when I walked in I heard "Living in America" by James Brown blasting from the pavillion.
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<soapbox>
I've come to the conclusion that modern society is sick and I want no part of it. I want nothing more than to be left alone to think what I want to think and believe what I want to believe. If that makes me paranoid, I really don't care what anybody thinks.
Branson used to be a place to escape all that, but the more commercial it becomes, the less I like it. My parents went every year for 50+ years but won't go anymore. That's ok, I guess we're just no longer in the targeted demographic
</soapbox>
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Branson is going to have to do something to survive, and to make people keep wanting to come back,
My biggest issue with Branson, isn't it's variety of attractions, it's that it's loosing it's charm. You have way too many abandoned attractions (Grand Palace, Celebration City, Outlet mall) and other attractions that look like they need to be abandoned. These items just give Branson a "dirty" or "going out of business" feel....also, a lot of "clearing" for roads, developments, and such that are yet to be complete.
It's too bad that the city of Branson didn't make covenants that would have required better building practices. It seems that metal buildings with false fronts were perfectly fine......I know Tanger was constructed in their standard format, but what if Branson just required them to do a little more to improve the aesthetics of the development...(more trees, a wooded or natural theme with the area).
I just think it's time for a big clean and re-landscape.
Jay
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<soapbox>
I've come to the conclusion that modern society is sick and I want no part of it. I want nothing more than to be left alone to think what I want to think and believe what I want to believe. If that makes me paranoid, I really don't care what anybody thinks.
Branson used to be a place to escape all that, but the more commercial it becomes, the less I like it. My parents went every year for 50+ years but won't go anymore. That's ok, I guess we're just no longer in the targeted demographic
</soapbox>
It's not that you are not the targeted demo, it's that it has to have a broader demographic to thrive. You rail against commercialization but that's what built Branson in the first place. Miles and miles of billboards promoting it has scarred the scenic beauty of the Ozark for decades. That's commercialism in the raw. What made Branson unique isn't unique anymore.
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Branson is going to have to do something to survive, and to make people keep wanting to come back,
My biggest issue with Branson, isn't it's variety of attractions, it's that it's loosing it's charm. You have way too many abandoned attractions (Grand Palace, Celebration City, Outlet mall) and other attractions that look like they need to be abandoned. These items just give Branson a "dirty" or "going out of business" feel....also, a lot of "clearing" for roads, developments, and such that are yet to be complete.
It's too bad that the city of Branson didn't make covenants that would have required better building practices. It seems that metal buildings with false fronts were perfectly fine......I know Tanger was constructed in their standard format, but what if Branson just required them to do a little more to improve the aesthetics of the development...(more trees, a wooded or natural theme with the area).
I just think it's time for a big clean and re-landscape.
Jay
Yep, poor central planning has done Branson no favors. Never addressing 76 is another. It's too late for Tanger unless they decided to rebuild elsewhere. The latest expansion about does it for present location.
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Branson is going to have to do something to survive, and to make people keep wanting to come back,
My biggest issue with Branson, isn't it's variety of attractions, it's that it's loosing it's charm. You have way too many abandoned attractions (Grand Palace, Celebration City, Outlet mall) and other attractions that look like they need to be abandoned. These items just give Branson a "dirty" or "going out of business" feel....also, a lot of "clearing" for roads, developments, and such that are yet to be complete.
It's too bad that the city of Branson didn't make covenants that would have required better building practices. It seems that metal buildings with false fronts were perfectly fine......I know Tanger was constructed in their standard format, but what if Branson just required them to do a little more to improve the aesthetics of the development...(more trees, a wooded or natural theme with the area).
I just think it's time for a big clean and re-landscape.
Jay
I totally agree. Branson just looks like crap anymore in many places. I like going there at least once a trip but prefer to be in a cabin in the hills around Table Rock. It gets more depressing there it seems every time I go driving down the strip.
When Mutton Hollow went under I think that was a major sign of things to come. The whole Branson USA/Celebration City never really felt like Branson to me, more like cheap thrills you'd find at a county fair for expensive prices. Now there's this big ugly empty lot there full of crap. Whatever Branson does to improve, I think it is imperative that something happens with that area. And it can't be another CC with a different name. Those don't work and quite frankly make Branson look worse.
Sorry to upset anyone who enjoyed CC, but I just never liked anything about the place.
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I go to SDC through West Branson. I stay and eat at Indian Point. I leave SDC through West Branson. I stay out of Branson if I can. Why? Traffic.
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I fail to see how "diversification" means Branson has to look like every other tourist/vacation town in order to survive. That seems to be a conflict of terms to me.
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The strong feelings expressed in this thread reveal more than anything that there is an underlying charm of Branson. It is undeniably a unique, cheap, clean, and uncharacteristically safe place to visit, in contrast to many other attractions-based towns around the world where you need to watch your back constantly. The niche appeal of ozarks/christian/old-timer oriented attractions has reinforced and sustains this status.
I think it's a fair assumption that if you care enough about Branson to make an account on this forum, you probably don't want to see that appeal be damaged too much. I haven't seen anything really game-changing proposed in this thread other than mulling the possibilities of gambling in the region. Upscale alcohol-based attractions and modern music is already in Branson and a little more won't hurt it.
But really, if I were to visit Branson for the first time today, it would be so hard to see any of that. Branson has become buried under decades of crappy developments and failed sub-par businesses. I think cowboy (and a few others) hit this issue on the head: a lot of Branson's principle troubles these days don't necessarily stem from its diversity of attractions. The more I think about it, the problems most people I know have with Branson stem from the fact that it's just plain built to be crappy.
How much easier would it be to visit multiple attractions in Branson if it weren't for the 76 crawl? How much more quaint would the place be if there was some sort of architectural standard instead of random stripmalls and dumpy hotels dug into the side of the hills all over the place? Don't even get me started on all the vacancies that exist due to cheap speculation builds.
I'm starting to think the discussion of what Branson needs to do to save itself should shift into a discussion of responsible development and urban renewal rather than so much about what types of attractions are acceptable. If Branson continues to literally become nothing more than stagnant theaters, plain strip malls, and run-of-the-mill hotels, then its pointless to discuss attractions because none of them will come here anyway.
How about transit solutions, or form-based codes, or incentives to follow district-based architectural trends?
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This is what Shave is talking about, Branson should come up with a basic theme/architectural standards that all developments should have to meet.
This is a Tanger outlet in Oregon. notice this is the rear of stores
(http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/03/95/fe/81/tanger-outlets-lincoln.jpg)
Here's Branson
(http://www.bransontourismcenter.com/wp-content-articles/uploads/2012/07/Tanger-Mall-looking-down-Tanger-Drive-no-cars.jpg)
Here's one in NC
(http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/03/96/97/28/tanger-outlet-center.jpg)
Again, Branson's
(http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/03/95/e7/a1/tanger-outlets-branson.jpg)
Here's the one in the Dell's It's outdoors but with shade, weather shelter
(http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/host.madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/15/d158ef56-9ee3-11de-b374-001cc4c002e0/d158ef56-9ee3-11de-b374-001cc4c002e0.preview-300.jpg)
Another with shade shelter
(http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/03/96/97/fb/tanger-outlets-myrtle.jpg)
A common refrain is that they will not come if you make it too tough but that's never really true. A market is a market and they will build to the specs laid out to them but most will take advantage to cut costs if allowed. Branson allowed substandard design for lots and lots of stuff and it's showing. Had a Brother in Law that was once in the store design/construction dept at Walmart when Sam was dead set on building on the cheap, eventually under Glass, they had to start conforming to build stores in some areas, too much revenue to be had over being hard headed about store design.
Fayetteville had this image of being hard to develop in (well for Arkansas casue it's a breeze compared to a city like Germantown TN)and yet over the past 20 years, it's funny to see the other cities in the region come up to Fayetteville's standards on sign size , landscape standards and such.
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Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the Branson plan for 76 to improve walkability?
Take this Sonic as an example that invites pedestrian traffic with a patio with an outdoor fireplace
(http://imgick.syracuse.com/home/syr-media/pgmain/img/post-standard/photo/2014/02/in-photos-sonic-drive-in-7679108d03ba0dcc.jpg)
Google "The Island Pigeon Forge" this will be home to Margaritaville and Paula Dean eartery now imagine Celebration City done like this and with a operating Ozcat for six bucks a ride or unlimited for 15.
Google "Walden's Landing Pigeon Forge" as another example of a new mixed use entertainment/shopping development.
Branson get a prime piece of real estate tragically destroyed by a tornado but the silver lining was a chance to redevelop it. but you got newer versions of what was there. Missed opportunity.
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I agree with a lot of the above about the shoddy uncontrolled development. What if Branson had invested in a Light rail system on the strip instead of roads to nowhere years ago. A architectural zoning standard is the way to go in the future. Also as I mentioned before take some of the empty lots for central parking and put a modern light rail, monorail, or whatever you want to call it right down the center of the strip. Reduce car usage and give the area more of a pedestrian , urban feel. But, I still feel the type of attractions need to change also. Hints of this are happening, but if it is left uncontrolled it will fail miserably. The CC site is a eyesore and you would hope HFE would do what is right instead of being stubborn and short sighted.
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I agree with a lot of the above about the shoddy uncontrolled development. What if Branson had invested in a Light rail system on the strip instead of roads to nowhere years ago. A architectural zoning standard is the way to go in the future. Also as I mentioned before take some of the empty lots for central parking and put a modern light rail, monorail, or whatever you want to call it right down the center of the strip. Reduce car usage and give the area more of a pedestrian , urban feel. But, I still feel the type of attractions need to change also. Hints of this are happening, but if it is left uncontrolled it will fail miserably. The CC site is a eyesore and you would hope HFE would do what is right instead of being stubborn and short sighted.
A trolley line along 76 perhaps. At this point the logistics and costs of such a transit system would be astronomical.
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I agree with a lot of the above about the shoddy uncontrolled development. What if Branson had invested in a Light rail system on the strip instead of roads to nowhere years ago. A architectural zoning standard is the way to go in the future. Also as I mentioned before take some of the empty lots for central parking and put a modern light rail, monorail, or whatever you want to call it right down the center of the strip. Reduce car usage and give the area more of a pedestrian , urban feel. But, I still feel the type of attractions need to change also. Hints of this are happening, but if it is left uncontrolled it will fail miserably. The CC site is a eyesore and you would hope HFE would do what is right instead of being stubborn and short sighted.
A trolley line along 76 perhaps. At this point the logistics and costs of such a transit system would be astronomical.
It's not to invest in teleportation, my friends!
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Twenty years ago the time share people were always mention that Branson was planning to put a mono-rail system down 76 as one of their selling point. Vegas had a nice mono-rail system when I visited in 2006, but their was a discussion on many of their news programs that it was not profitable.
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The big debate on the monorail was that every business wanted it to stop in front of them. To many stops on a long trip down miles of road. Not enough stops, to far to walk to your business. No one could agree.
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There is a plan, or at least some ideas being kicked around for 76.
http://bransonspiritof76.com/ (http://bransonspiritof76.com/)
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There is a plan, or at least some ideas being kicked around for 76.
http://bransonspiritof76.com/ (http://bransonspiritof76.com/)
I would highly suggest bleacher seating at roundabout intersections, 1 buck per hr. watching bluehairs lose it. I've seen this first hand when Fayetteville put one in by the hospital. I love them and understand them but it's completely foreign to folks over 50. Some hate them so much that they avoid them. I know the one down by the landing is nice but that's not bluehair way.
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There is a plan, or at least some ideas being kicked around for 76.
http://bransonspiritof76.com/ (http://bransonspiritof76.com/)
I would highly suggest bleacher seating at roundabout intersections, 1 buck per hr. watching bluehairs lose it. I've seen this first hand when Fayetteville put one in by the hospital. I love them and understand them but it's completely foreign to folks over 50. Some hate them so much that they avoid them. I know the one down by the landing is nice but that's not bluehair way.
Hey, Im over 50 and have no trouble with roundabouts. They work great and are a great improvement over idling at a stoplight.
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We have an intersection near our house that is being converted to a roundabout. It will be the highest-trafficked roundabout in the state when completed in the fall. We'll see if their MODOT's predictions are accurate about this being a good idea. I shall reserve judgment.
I just can't get Chevy Chase out of my head: "Look kids: Big Ben, Parliament!" (European Vacation).
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There is a plan, or at least some ideas being kicked around for 76.
http://bransonspiritof76.com/ (http://bransonspiritof76.com/)
I would highly suggest bleacher seating at roundabout intersections, 1 buck per hr. watching bluehairs lose it. I've seen this first hand when Fayetteville put one in by the hospital. I love them and understand them but it's completely foreign to folks over 50. Some hate them so much that they avoid them. I know the one down by the landing is nice but that's not bluehair way.
Hey, Im over 50 and have no trouble with roundabouts. They work great and are a great improvement over idling at a stoplight.
You are an exception, not the rule.
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There is a plan, or at least some ideas being kicked around for 76.
http://bransonspiritof76.com/ (http://bransonspiritof76.com/)
I would highly suggest bleacher seating at roundabout intersections, 1 buck per hr. watching bluehairs lose it. I've seen this first hand when Fayetteville put one in by the hospital. I love them and understand them but it's completely foreign to folks over 50. Some hate them so much that they avoid them. I know the one down by the landing is nice but that's not bluehair way.
I think roundabout intersections work pretty good if you have one major roadway, with a minor roadway intersection. So basically your movements continue to flow properly. If you have a turning movement that is extremely heavy in one direction (like an on-ramp for a highway) the roundabouts can actually cause a bigger backup than the traffic light. So I think these would work okay for the minor intersections along 76 but would be nightmares at 76 and Indian Point Road, or 76 and Ozark Mountain High Road.
One other issue would be the size of the land it would take to make a roundabout work properly, so along the developed areas of 76, some businesses might have to be purchased for right-of-way purposes.
But if done properly and in the right locations, these definitely help with traffic flow and can serve as traffic calming measures too (plus if videoed they could provide some free entertainment).
Jay
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There is a plan, or at least some ideas being kicked around for 76.
http://bransonspiritof76.com/ (http://bransonspiritof76.com/)
I would highly suggest bleacher seating at roundabout intersections, 1 buck per hr. watching bluehairs lose it. I've seen this first hand when Fayetteville put one in by the hospital. I love them and understand them but it's completely foreign to folks over 50. Some hate them so much that they avoid them. I know the one down by the landing is nice but that's not bluehair way.
I think roundabout intersections work pretty good if you have one major roadway, with a minor roadway intersection. So basically your movements continue to flow properly. If you have a turning movement that is extremely heavy in one direction (like an on-ramp for a highway) the roundabouts can actually cause a bigger backup than the traffic light. So I think these would work okay for the minor intersections along 76 but would be nightmares at 76 and Indian Point Road, or 76 and Ozark Mountain High Road.
One other issue would be the size of the land it would take to make a roundabout work properly, so along the developed areas of 76, some businesses might have to be purchased for right-of-way purposes.
But if done properly and in the right locations, these definitely help with traffic flow and can serve as traffic calming measures too (plus if videoed they could provide some free entertainment).
Jay
The newest one in Fayetteville has a feeder from the interstate and it can get "interesting." The state nixed a proposed one at a heavy traffic intersection. The local Progs moaned loudly over that one. I can see traffic circles being a bit adventurous where they are proposed and some land will have to be taking, maybe a business or two.
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There is a plan, or at least some ideas being kicked around for 76.
http://bransonspiritof76.com/ (http://bransonspiritof76.com/)
So, where does this stand right now? When I clicked on the project schedule it only went to December of 2013....what's going on with this?