Branson aldermen vote to buy White House Theater, convert it into police station

(From the City of Branson)

After hearing the results of the feasibility study, inspections and cost analysis, the Branson Board of Aldermen unanimously voted to approve a resolution to continue with the purchase of the old White House Theater located at 2255 Gretna Rd for the proposed new Branson Police Headquarters and Public Safety Complex at its regular Board meeting on August 23, 2022.

In addition to a phase 1 environmental assessment, roof analysis, asbestos survey and mold analysis, Hoeffer Welker, LLC architecture firm presented a preliminary feasibility study of the building which provided a basic space analysis and overview of converting the theater to a public safety building.

Additionally, it provided an estimated cost analysis and a cost comparison between building a new building at the Forsythe Road location and repurposing the White House Theater property. The cost comparison shows an estimated $6.3 million in savings by moving forward with the purchase of the White House Theater. It is also anticipated the construction and move in time for the Police Department will be significantly sooner than the Forsyth Road location.

The 65,000 sq. foot building cost $2.5 million and would be purchased through the reserve funds of the half-cent Public Safety Sales Tax that was passed in 2017.

To watch the full discussion and presentation, find the August 23, 2022 Board of Aldermen meeting at BransonMo.Gov/Livestream. You can find the cost analysis, resolution and staff report in the “HTML Agenda Packet” for the Aug 23, 2022 Board of Aldermen meeting on the Agenda & Minutes page of the City’s website. For more information about this project, click on the blue tab labeled “City Projects – A Look at Where Our City is Headed” on the City’s website, BransonMo.Gov.