ELEVATE COMMUNITY TIMELINE
This is a large, complex project — which means there will be obstacles, challenges, and roadblocks to overcome. We are now moving forward with site development and public infrastructure. Join us on this exciting journey with the timeline below and regular project updates via Facebook and our monthly newsletter.
The Road To Today
2020
July
Elevate Branson announces Elevate Community tiny home development and brings sample home to the area
September
ARVEST becomes Elevate Community’s first tiny home sponsor.
December
Branson Bank partners with Elevate to secure $1 million through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (FDIC) Affordable Housing Competitive Funding Program for the construction of 24 tiny homes.
2021
May
A $1.9 million Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) is secured for the project’s public infrastructure (water, sewer, roads, etc.)
June – November
Environmental and cultural reviews, including an artifact dig are required by the federal grant, Reviews and dig were completed. Endangered bats required trees to be removed. No Osage artifacts were found.
2022
February – July
The CDBG grant requires all procurements, including engineering for the project, to be implemented with the City of Branson according to its procurement process. Once secured, engineers determined that a gravity fed sewer would need to cross adjacent property, or an expensive lift station would be needed. Neighboring property owners would not grant an easement and instead sold 10 acres to Project Branson.
August – November
Project plans went to the City of Branson Planning and Zoning and their attorneys for review, in order to assure compliance with City code.
2023
March
A $1 million American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) Grant was awarded for the construction of 18 additional tiny homes.
April
An environmental review addendum was required by CDBG, due to the addition of 10 acres to the project.
May – June
Completed engineering plans for the public portion of the development were submitted to and approved by the City of Branson and then sent on to CDBG for approval.
July – August
CDBG requested an environmental addendum requiring approval from the Army Corps of Engineers because of a waterway located on the recently added 10-acre parcel. The Corps granted their approval.
September
Project was approved by CDBG to go out for bid, but later put on hold when the Osage Indian Tribe requested an additional cultural review and artifact dig of the recently added 10-acre parcel.
October
Private infrastructure plans (such as neighborhood streets, water and sewer connections to homes, etc.) are completed.
October – February
Additional cultural review and artifact dig goes out for bid. CDBG approves selected vendor, the review and dig are conducted, and results are received. Osage Indian Tribe has 30-days to review and comment on findings.
2024
March – May
CDBG gives their authorization, and the project goes out for bid. Only one vendor responded with a price that was $1.2 million over the approved budget. A budget amendment request was submitted to CDBG, who asked for some additional items including a rebid of the project.
September – December
The project went out for bid again and received four responses. The lowest bid was $750,000 more than the approved budget from 2020. A budget amendment was submitted and approved by CDBG and the project moved into pre-construction planning. Site work was initiated in December.
2025
January – April
Flat Creek Excavation continues site preparation.
May
VIP Update and Community Dedication Celebration