Interesting rumor

[Phil Lilley]

I'm still against the location- and the future will tell on that. I'm also worried about the other things I've heard- poor construction, cracking sidewalks, foundations sinking (Belks sinking 4 inches in some places), leased light poles because of budget overruns. Is this the tip of the iceberg? And I've talked to venders on the strip- bus is way down so far this year. Granted SDC is up considerably but the small ma and pops on the strip and outlying areas are hurting.

[rainbow]

Not only are retail sales going up but so is real estate value. I am thinking about selling my place there and the agent I talked to said it should sell fast. She told me that there is a work force shortage of about 2000 people for the area and they will be bringing people in to work. They have to live some where. The agent told me they are expecting a real estate boom in the area. I hope she is right. More pressure on our family resorts to sell out.

[WebFreeman]

Not only are retail sales going up but so is real estate value. I am thinking about selling my place there and the agent I talked to said it should sell fast. She told me that there is a work force shortage of about 2000 people for the area and they will be bringing people in to work. They have to live some where. The agent told me they are expecting a real estate boom in the area. I hope she is right. More pressure on our family resorts to sell out.

Most of the jobs would be lucky to see $9 and hour. As far as economic development, tourism may build a healthy tax base for property tax and sales tax revenue, but as far as "career" opportunities, there aren't many. Most people will need 2 of 2000 jobs in order to afford living there. I doubt any of those people filling those 2000 positions would be able to afford your house.

It's true that many businesses will benefit from the Landing just as a many have benefitted from SDC and the theaters on the strip. But in the long run, those low-wage, entry level retail positions won't help anyone but high school and college students.

[Phil Lilley]

One thing the Landing is doing is driving up the pay scale- almost over night. I was told employers from the Landing sought after workers in the old downtown area and offered more money to change jobs and they did. We are even reviewing at our pay scale to make sure we are in line and not falling behind.

But good workers are getting hard to find. Even though a person is working and getting a better wage doesn't mean they are qualified to do the work. Qualified.... worthy might be a better term.

[rainbow]

Phil, is the uptick in real estate values for real? I also heard that wages were going up fast down there and that anyone can get a job. The old Branson days, 30 years ago, sure were nice and simple but the new Branson is kind of exciting. Sure not a wildnerness area like you can find out west.

[Phil Lilley]

Real estate prices are up- not sure how long it will last though. Depends on the success of the landing. We looked at a lake front property yesterday just up from the rr bridge on the south side. It was a run down 4 plex with a very run down dock, fairly deep lot about 90 feet side for $299,000. The rep said it would go fast... sale ploy. We weren't interested. She said that she just sold a lot across from Fall creek for $150,000- just the lot. I'm alittle skeptical of that one. But old used houses are on the market may be a day. If it's not people local who are buying it's west coast people. It's been like this for about a year now.

[denjac]

When Phil mentioned buget overun on the landing, it jogged my memory. We went down there about a week after opening, and I heard a trolley car driver talking to an enployee about needing gas for the trolley as he was about out. He was told to go park it as gas card they used was maxed out. Didn't really think to much of it until now, but maybe they are in trouble.

[Champ]

Housing prices have been going up a lot in the last year.

Partially because of low interest rates that many can afford that 2nd home.

With rates going up, that may slow a bit but with the growth in branson, people are coming and demand housing. Plenty of people with money coming to town.

The thing that drives me nuts is a lot of the old fogies(and some younger guys) have a lakefront home with a dock and boat that never gets used.

If they are never around or never use their boat, they should sell me their house and move off the lake.

If this is you, take advantage and USE YOUR BOAT and FISH!

You are taking what you have for granted.

[Wayne SW/MO]

There is something of a building boom away from Branson, but having come from a construction trade, a quickie boom does little for an area in the long term. In fact it can harm it by giving false indicators of the future.

vacation, why would anyone think the east end would be hurt, but the city is bigger than that, so what about the west end? Diverting people to the East end can't be good for the other side. Much of the debate was that the city felt the need for an increased sales tax to do more promoting, because visitor numbers were down. If I'm not mistaken the increase that the Landing would bring was from conventions, so how is that going?

[crappiefisherman]

wayne I have to admit at this time it sure appears traffic is heading east instead of west.when was the last time you saw traffic backed up all the way and then some on hambuger hill?Also I was very disapointed when i spent my birthday money on a reel and line that was 5 percent higher then normal and then darn near 10 percent sales tax.Ive lived here all my days and it is really gettin tight for this hillbilly.And this will also be the boom they talk about like the first one 10 or 12 years ago.It will continue but hopefully the residents will catch up.