The public has the opportunity to learn about the new police facility in Branson.
The full press release below is from the City of Branson:
On the agenda for the next Branson City Council meeting on Tuesday, June 25, will be discussions about next steps for the highly anticipated new police department. The proposed facility, a $16 million renovation of the former White House Theater, is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, is centrally located in the growing city, and has room for expansion. The police department, currently nearly 100 percent staffed, is housed in inadequate, cramped quarters beneath City Hall and does not provide additional space for training or educational activities.
“This new facility will provide much-needed space for the city’s current needs and additional space for the future,” said Police Chief Eric Schmitt. “We look forward to the larger footprint essential for the police department’s high-tech operations and to organize and facilitate training and education opportunities for our officers and our community.” The chief further emphasizes the direct safety benefits of the facility: “Our residents, businesses and visitors will experience improved emergency response and enhanced support of missions and services that are of great importance to them,” said Police Chief Schmitt.
In the two hours before the City Council meeting begins, the public is invited to view the facility’s architectural plans and meet with engineers and project managers.
The redevelopment includes 42,360 square feet to house the city’s police department, a temporary detention facility, and community/training space. The remaining space (23,640 square feet) is to be set aside as a white box for future phases, as the centrally located site has multiple streets and driveways that make it an ideal location for additional community services. Plans now call for securing the bond and beginning construction. The facility will be funded largely by the half-cent public safety sales tax passed by voters in 2017. Completion is expected in December 2025.
Background: In 2022, the City purchased an 11-acre property at 2255 Gretna Road for $2.5 million to construct a 66,000-square-foot building formerly known as the White House Theater. Demolition and interior/exterior work has been underway since late winter/spring 2023. The City then held an auction of the theater’s contents and demolished much of the interior. Feasibility studies and a needs analysis were completed and planning moved forward.
