The City of Branson has taken the next step in the transition of a former theater building to the city's Public Safety Facility.

The complete release below from the City of Branson:

The City of Branson officially closed on the purchase of the former White House Theater, located at 2255 Gretna Rd. on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, and has started the process to renovate the building for the new Branson Police Department’s headquarters and Public Safety Complex.

A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) has been advertised and sent to architectural firms for the renovation and remodel of the 65,000-square-foot facility. These RFQs will then be reviewed by city staff for recommendation to the Board of Aldermen. Once an architectural contract is approved, the process will be duplicated for a construction company. The renovation process will be done in phases and is expected to take approximately 18 to 24 months. The budget for the first phase of renovations is $9.5 million.

"This new police station is yet another example of the many positive changes provided by your Mayor and Board of Alderman," said Mayor Larry Milton. "In addition to saving the taxpayers millions of dollars with this project, we are bringing the new police station online, years before the previous plans would have. The community has told us for many years that public safety is their number one priority. This current Board has listened and taken action," said Mayor Milton.

The new Branson Public Safety Complex building cost $2.5 million and was purchased through the reserve funds of the half-cent Public Safety Sales Tax that was passed in 2017. In addition to housing the Branson Police Department, the complex will also be home to the Branson Fire Department’s administration, an Emergency Operations Center and an integrated Dispatch Center.

“This is one step forward in our promise to our citizens to make public safety a priority in Branson and proof that the Public Safety Tax is providing our path forward,” said Branson Police Chief, Jeff Matthews. “This is truly an exciting time in Branson. This purchase brings together Police and Fire administration for the first time ever and will improve our partnership to help continue to serve the community’s evolving needs. I want to thank the Mayor, Board of Aldermen and our community for entrusting us with this great opportunity,” Chief Matthews said.

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.