Branson/Springfield

[masons_dad1]

Although much has changed in the landscape in this photo of the buisness district in downtown I still like it alot and thought I would share.

Sweet pic. Although not as dense I like how much more modern-looking downtown Springfield is compared to Fayetteville. That black glass skyscraper is really nice. Springfield has great potential for a dense downtown full of modern skyscrapers.

[johnnydr87]

Sweet pic. Although not as dense I like how much more modern-looking downtown Springfield is compared to Fayetteville. That black glass skyscraper is really nice. Springfield has great potential for a dense downtown full of modern skyscrapers.

That black skyscraper is HIDEOUS!

My opinion.

Way too many parking lots. Their streets should be lined with 2-4 story buildings, not parking lots. Little Rock has problems in this regard too...

[masons_dad1]

One thing I notice about Springfield is it's a city with great opportunites for everyone and has limitless potential for growth. There are a great many wonderful developments going on in Springfield, especially in "family attractions", which makes a city more desirable. All this without Wal-Mart. Astounding, considering all the great and wonderful things happening in Northwest Arkansas wouldn't be happening if it wasn't for Wal-Mart. I think Springfield is going to grow much further than NWA because it doesn't depend completely on one source of economic development.

[tim2462]

NWA has outgrown Springfield in population (by 6,000 woppie) not in prominece and is still has lots of catching up to do. With almost every post that I make I give a link to back up my info, please look back and tell me otherwise. You on the other hand hardly ever post a link. I don't plaster that Christian county rating everywhere, I posted it to show that they keep moving up the list. For you to say that Springfield's job growth isn't that great to support a much larger influx than it's already seeing is BS. Springfield accounted for more than 1/3 of Missouri's job growth in 2004-2005 while KC saw a slight decline, St. Louis saw little growth, and has been above the national average for 20 years now. Springfield is also known for being one of the top places in the country for business expansion. Many businesses that started here 5-20 years ago have seen phenominal growth and are planting business throughout Missouri, E. Kansas, E. Oklahoma and Northern Arkansas with some being franchised. For example O' Reilly Auto Parts, Andy's frozen Custard (which opened a location in Rogers) are spreading allover. Big companies are now noticing this great setup and are exspressing much interest. NWA, like you said, has vendors for Wal-Mart sprouting up in the area but are not all the great things you try to make it seem like. A person trying to sell moodrings from their home is considered a vendor. While NWA has Wally World to do all their great things for them Springfield has done it on it's own and is now getting noticed in many ways.

If Springfield's job growth is so great, where is it in the milken ratings? Fayetteville has been in the top 10 for several years. It was #1 in 2003. I think it's #7 right now. Why don't you go check it out and see where Springfield is on the list. By the way, if you don't know what the milken study is, it ranks metros on job growth. NWA has outdone vegas several times in it.

Do you not think Springfield is where it is because of corporate presense? Of course it is. So don't act like you and the everyday citizens of Springfield are doing anything that is causing the area to grow. My shoes are awful wet, and the radar is clear.

[tim2462]

One thing I notice about Springfield is it's a city with great opportunites for everyone and has limitless potential for growth. There are a great many wonderful developments going on in Springfield, especially in "family attractions", which makes a city more desirable. All this without Wal-Mart. Astounding, considering all the great and wonderful things happening in Northwest Arkansas wouldn't be happening if it wasn't for Wal-Mart. I think Springfield is going to grow much further than NWA because it doesn't depend completely on one source of economic development.

Springfield doesn't have anything big to rely on. Do you think wal-mart and its vendors are going anywhere?

Vegas depends on one main industry...casinos. Every city has something that causes it to boom. NWA's is business. Springfield isn't booming, it's just an average growing metro. NWA's growth in number blows Springfield out of the water. LOL you really make me laugh when you go on and on about "family attractions"

[masons_dad1]

Springfield doesn't have anything big to rely on. Do you think wal-mart and its vendors are going anywhere?

Vegas depends on one main industry...casinos. Every city has something that causes it to boom. NWA's is business. Springfield isn't booming, it's just an average growing metro. NWA's growth in number blows Springfield out of the water. LOL you really make me laugh when you go on and on about "family attractions"

Yeah I laugh every time a "family attraction" closes in Northwest Arkansas and one opens in Springfield and Branson. Do you have something against "family attractions"? Have any kids?

[masons_dad1]

Holy cow... I can't believe slyder's been holding out on this one. A huge "FAMILY ATTRACTION" in Springfield called America's Incredible Pizza Company! Featuring a 50's theme of Mainstreet America and the world's most incredible buffet with over 30 types of pizza, a pasta bar, potato bar, soup bar and salad bar... all made from scratch!

This is huge fun for the whole family:

[*]Themed dining rooms

[*]Elvis movies in a Drive-In themed dining room

[*]Route 66 Mini Golf

[*]Bumper Cars

[*]Go-Kart Races

[*]over 100 Video and Arcade Games

[*]Super Fun Big Top Prizes

[*]Incredible Kids

[johnnydr87]

Holy cow... I can't believe slyder's been holding out on this one. A huge "FAMILY ATTRACTION" in Springfield called America's Incredible Pizza Company! Featuring a 50's theme of Mainstreet America and the world's most incredible buffet with over 30 types of pizza, a pasta bar, potato bar, soup bar and salad bar... all made from scratch!

This is huge fun for the whole family:

[*]Themed dining rooms

[*]Elvis movies in a Drive-In themed dining room

[*]Route 66 Mini Golf

[*]Bumper Cars

[*]Go-Kart Races

[*]over 100 Video and Arcade Games

[*]Super Fun Big Top Prizes

[*]Incredible Kids

[tim2462]

Yeah I laugh every time a "family attraction" closes in Northwest Arkansas and one opens in Springfield and Branson. Do you have something against "family attractions"? Have any kids?

First of all, let's make it clear that Branson is not in the Springfield metro.

We could throw Eureka Springs in, if you want to talk about touristy areas

with family attractions. Northwest Arkansas will get more of these "family attractions"

you like so much, don't worry. There are plenty "family attractions" there now, you

just for some reason are on some big Springfield kick right now. If you aren't on

bi-polar medication, you should be. Your opinions are so inconsistant, and I know that

I'm not the only one on here that sees that. Some days, you say, "I love NWA, it's the

best place on earth to raise a family." "I'll die here." The grass is not always as green as

it may seem on the other side. Go to Springfield and spend a day, you'll see that there's nothing

spectacular about it that makes it any better than NWA. I think it's important to have attractions for

everyone, including family attractions. By the way, no, I don't have kids...I'm gay. I don't want to

adopt either. Springfield has a better gay scene than nwa, although that is changing...but that doesn't mean that Springfield is a better place to live for gays. I'm hoping you see my point.

[slyder1]

Holy cow... I can't believe slyder's been holding out on this one. A huge "FAMILY ATTRACTION" in Springfield called America's Incredible Pizza Company! Featuring a 50's theme of Mainstreet America and the world's most incredible buffet with over 30 types of pizza, a pasta bar, potato bar, soup bar and salad bar... all made from scratch!

Yeah, it was actually the first one. Sorry about not posting these type's of thing's I just thought this site was all about developments. I'm not a huge fan of this stuff but it would be an awesome place to take your kids....trust me they would love it.

[slyder1]

Springfield has a better gay scene than nwa

Yeah, I have noticed the amount of gay's moving to the area....it's quite impressive. I bet it would have something to do with Joplin though because I have heard that they have the second largest gay pop. per capita in the US. There are a couple of good gay clubs downtown one called Martha's Vineyard, Echo or something or other and a new one. I have some gay friend's and they alway's make sure that I am up to date on my knowledge.

[tim2462]

Yeah, I have noticed the amount of gay's moving to the area....it's quite impressive. I bet it would have something to do with Joplin though because I have heard that they have the second largest gay pop. per capita in the US. There are a couple of good gay clubs downtown one called Martha's Vineyard, Echo or something or other and a new one. I have some gay friend's and they alway's make sure that I am up to date on my knowledge.

They say that about a lot of cities. I've heard it about Tulsa, Fayetteville, even Conway. I don't think anyone really knows. I've never been to the clubs in Springfield, I may do that on my next trip lol.

[Aporkalypse]

They say that about a lot of cities. I've heard it about Tulsa, Fayetteville, even Conway. I don't think anyone really knows. I've never been to the clubs in Springfield, I may do that on my next trip lol.

Little Rock had Miss Gay America at Discovery a couple of years back. LR has a decent gay scene with at least 3 dedicated bay bars I know of. Hot Springs and Fayetteville have decent gay communities but I don't think the other NWA cities are very gay-friendly.

Umm, not that I would know.

[masons_dad1]

OH MAI GAWD!

That's incredible.

I love your sarcasm. What's really incredible is that Northwest Arkansas, being so much better than Springfield, doesn't have anything like this... and don't bother mentioning Lokomotion in Springdale as it doesn't even come close.

[tim2462]

Yeah, Little Rock has a great gay scene, 3 big clubs and several smaller ones. The Miss Gay America was owned by Norman Jones, the owner of Discovery & Backstreet. He just sold it to somebody in North Mississippi. I think it will probably be in Memphis from now on. But that's ok, drag queens scare me. NWA might as well adjust to the gay scene, it's only going to get bigger as the population swells. Hot Springs has also become popular as well. They have a really nice club there downtown. Jesters also turned into a gay bar...lol.

[masons_dad1]

First of all, let's make it clear that Branson is not in the Springfield metro. We could throw Eureka Springs in, if you want to talk about touristy areas with family attractions.

There's 35 miles between Fayetteville and Bella Vista. There's 44 miles between Springfield and Branson. There's 48 miles between Fayetteville and Eureka Springs, but it would take twice as long as driving from Springfield to Branson. I'd say that puts Branson within Springfield's metro, whether it's official or not. AND even Eureka Springs doesn't have anything like this.

Northwest Arkansas will get more of these "family attractions" you like so much, don't worry. There are plenty "family attractions" there now, you just for some reason are on some big Springfield kick right now.

There is absolutely no indication that Northwest Arkansas will ever get any of these major family attractions. No new family attractions have opened in NWA in over a decade (but several have closed), there have been no mention of possible new family attractions other than Wakahiki Beach Water Park which is on permanent hold, and Springfield has many family attractions and are adding new ones every year. I'm not on a Springfield kick... this is a Springfield thread.

If you aren't on bi-polar medication, you should be. Your opinions are so inconsistant, and I know that I'm not the only one on here that sees that. Some days, you say, "I love NWA, it's the best place on earth to raise a family." "I'll die here." The grass is not always as green as it may seem on the other side.

It's obvious I'm not the one needing medication. You don't see me freaking out every time someone has something good to say about Springfield. My opinions about Northwest Arkansas have never changed... I've always said there weren't enough family attractions here from day one. AND I do love Northwest Arkansas even with all it's faults. It doesn't mean I have to be happy about those faults.

Go to Springfield and spend a day, you'll see that there's nothing spectacular about it that makes it any better than NWA. I think it's important to have attractions for everyone, including family attractions.

I'm planning a trip to Springfield, which is how I found out about this great family attraction in the first place. It's funny you say there's nothing spectacular about Springfield when everyone I know has told me a great place to visit and how clean the city is compared to here and there's so much to do there. But forget all of them I'll take your word over theirs any day.

By the way, no, I don't have kids...I'm gay. I don't want to adopt either. Springfield has a better gay scene than nwa, although that is changing...but that doesn't mean that Springfield is a better place to live for gays. I'm hoping you see my point.

I always see your points even if I don't agree with you. Having a son changed my priorities and if I wasn't a father I wouldn't care as much about family attractions, so I can understand your opinions about family attractions. But there's no need for you to try to knock anyone down for being different. You should accept people for being different. If you don't like them you don't have to acknowledge them.

[masons_dad1]

Yeah, it was actually the first one. Sorry about not posting these type's of thing's I just thought this site was all about developments. I'm not a huge fan of this stuff but it would be an awesome place to take your kids....trust me they would love it.

I was just kidding. It seems hard enough to keep up with the new developments in Springfield without having to post the older ones. New developments is what drives this forum... without them this forum would be dead. It doesn't mean we should neglect the things that make a city what it is... old or new.

And I can't wait to take my son to Springfield... it's just too bad I won't be able to take him to see everything in Springfield in one trip.

[johnnydr87]

I love your sarcasm. What's really incredible is that Northwest Arkansas, being so much better than Springfield, doesn't have anything like this... and don't bother mentioning Lokomotion in Springdale as it doesn't even come close.

OH MAI GAWD!

That's incredible.

[masons_dad1]

^^

Must be a Little Rock thing... or just plain old immaturity.

[johnnydr87]

So I can't be shocked and awed? Is that a crime...?

[masons_dad1]

So I can't be shocked and awed? Is that a crime...?

Well if it wasn't sarcasm I apologize... but I still think it was sarcasm.

[tim2462]

Mason's Dad...

LOL

I think family attractions are important. There are several family attractions there, you just don't consider them that because you live there. You like the big pizza place in Springfield because it's different.

If you lived there, it wouldn't seem like such a big deal. Again, please read all of what I say and not just part of it. I've always said:

Springfield is a very nice place, and I love to visit there. I've never once said anything bad about Springfield. You chose to only see part of what I said....I said, "You will see that there's nothing spectacular that makes Springfield better than NWA." That meant that they are really the same on most levels...a trip there will show you that. Of course they have some things that NWA doesn't, but NWA has things that Springfield doesn't. It's tit for tat. Anyway, I'm going to Springfield next weekend, wanna go clubbing with me? LoL j/k

P.S. You should visit Little Rock and Hot Springs, we have more family attractions than you can handle.

[johnnydr87]

Well if it wasn't sarcasm I apologize... but I still think it was sarcasm.

lol... I was being sarcastic. But it was in good humor, not "just plain old immaturity." Unless humor and immaturity are related.

[masons_dad1]

Mason's Dad...

LOL

I think family attractions are important. There are several family attractions there, you just don't consider them that because you live there. You like the big pizza place in Springfield because it's different.

If you lived there, it wouldn't seem like such a big deal. Again, please read all of what I say and not just part of it. I've always said:

Springfield is a very nice place, and I love to visit there. I've never once said anything bad about Springfield. You chose to only see part of what I said....I said, "You will see that there's nothing spectacular that makes Springfield better than NWA." That meant that they are really the same on most levels...a trip there will show you that. Of course they have some things that NWA doesn't, but NWA has things that Springfield doesn't. It's tit for tat. Anyway, I'm going to Springfield next weekend, wanna go clubbing with me? LoL j/k

I understand what you're saying, but honestly I would appreciate those places in Springfield and take my son to them just the same as I appreciate the family attractions we have here in NWA and do take my son to them every chance I get. It would just be nice to have something here for families that is as fun as those places in all of our neighboring metros. The simple truth is we don't. It doesn't mean I want to live there... I don't want to give up what I do have in NWA. Just write it off as envy.

Ummm... Enjoy Springfield, but I'm all booked up next weekend, but thanks for the offer.

[masons_dad1]

lol... I was being sarcastic. But it was in good humor, not "just plain old immaturity." Unless humor and immaturity are related.

See I knew it! But calling you immature was uncalled for and I'm sorry. I guess it was funnier the first time than it was the second time around.