Revitalizing the old Branson High School at College and Sixth streets continues to be a main focus for Branson city leaders as Aldermen, city staff and neighbors again toured the 55-year old vacant building last Thursday evening.
This was a second visit to the school by about 20 city officials and neighbors to determine the best use for the property that will benefit the community. It gave residents and aldermen a second chance to view the high school if they missed the first public walk through August 31, according to Branson Senior Planner Joel Hornickel.
The city purchased the building from the Branson School District in July for $200,000, which will be paid over a three year period.
“All involved are excited at the possibilities for change in the neighborhood that the revitalized high school can bring,” said Hornickel.
Next week on Thursday and Friday, September 15 and 16, an architectural design team, comprised of three architects from the American Institute of Architects (AIA), will make its first of two visits to Branson to help create plans for the school property. This architectural team is being funded by a Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT) Grant for which the city applied and received.
There will be opportunities next week for the public to meet with the architects.
At 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 15, residents can share ideas with the SDAT in the Council Chambers of Branson City Hall.
Then at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 16, the public is invited to tour the high school with SDAT to again give input into uses for the property. Also on Friday, SDAT will meet with representatives from the Hammons School of Architecture at Drury University in Springfield to determine how they can become involved in the evaluation and charrette process.
At a later date yet to be determined, additional members of the SDAT will return to Branson to conduct a charrette for the high school property, and then final recommendations will be presented to the Board of Aldermen, city officials and public before the end of the year.

© 2012 The Ozarks Sentinel - The Leader in Ozarks News
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