Maybe I've missed it somewhere, although I've read every book I can get my hands on pertaining to SDC, Branson, or the Ozarks...but what happens in 2049 when the 99-year lease is up on Marvel Cave and the surrounding property?
That is a great question and something I've also wondered myself. I hope someone here knows the answer.
Well they would negotiate a new contract or purchase the land.
If this did not go through then SDC would strip the land of all remnants of SDC.
I believe that's all there is to it.
If I remember correctly, the company purchased the cave and property around it in the 1990's or early 2000's from the church in downtown Branson that the Lynch sisters willed it to. I think the price was $1 million. It sounded like an incredible bargain to me at the time when I read about it in the Branson paper. I think the Presbyterian church is the same one some of the Herschends attend. I'm just going from memory here, I might be wrong.
Posted by Copper in 2008....
QuoteThe Lynch sisters willed the land to the First Presbyterian church of Branson and the College of the Ozarks. Terms for the 99 year lease called for a yearly payment of $5,000 or 10% of the ticket sales, which ever number was greatest. The lease started April 1, 1950. The Herschend family and the McMaster's were partners for a short time then the Herschends bought them out. I know they have already worked the lease out. It has been quite a while since they dealt with that issue.
As far as I know nothing has changed. The Church and the College still own the park.
In 2049, I will be gray headed, sitting back in my rocking chair, and watch as they change the name from Silver Dollar City to Gold Dollar Metro - an all new theme park about the old days in 2010.
There will be old fashioned gismos, and inventions from 2010 such as iphones, and mp3 players. Boy, those people in 2010 sure had it rough!
Did SDC buy Marvel Cave? I thought it was a state park?
No... Marvel Cave is not State owned. It is owned by the College of the Ozarks and also the Presbyterian Church. SDC just has a lease on it.
10% of ticket sales...pretty lucrative business for a church to be in.
Anyone think it's funny that a church is leasing out the Devil's Den?
I hope someone, maybe Swoosh, can check on the facts for us on this topic...but I really seem to remember the company bought the property from the church...seems like in the 90s. I don't think I'm off on this, but, it's been a few years, maybe I am wrong.
I guess I thought that they leased the original cave area but had bought all surrounding land.
If it does come up for re-leasing, I say we bid on it.....SDCFans Cave has a nice ring to it...I just don't think we would be able to get enough loans for what HFEC would bid to keep it!
What are they payin', like a dollar a year?