Two Bit Town To Be Demolished, As Work Begins To Revitalize The Bagnell Dam Strip

LAKE OZARK, Mo. — The dilapidated sites of what were once major attractions on the Bagnell Dam Strip — Two Bit Town, the original Old Time Photos building, and other structures — will be demolished in the coming weeks.

Major demolition work is planned at multiple sites along the historic Bagnell Dam Strip over the next year by Reese Development, who will help cover the nearly $1 million projects.

A pending Community Development Block Grant will provide $600,000 of the total investment while the company will pay over $300,000 out-of-pocket.

Structures including Two Bit Town, the original Old Time Photos building, the rubble behind the Haunted Hotel, and the old Sky Ferry foundation are scheduled for demolition in the coming weeks.

Additionally, properties eligible for Community Development Block Grant demolition funds include the former Edgewater Resort, Shoreland Motel, and cleanup of debris between the Strip area and the waterfront.

“As someone who grew up spending summers on the Strip in the nineties, rest assured, we will be saving any important nostalgia,” said Nick Reese, President of Reese Development.

Efforts have already been made to protect Two Bit Town’s fiberglass animals, signage, Chief Bagnell, log cabins, and more. Reese Development also plans on hosting a garage sale for any remaining items.

Read the full press release from Reese Development, below.

Reese Development has announced plans for major demolition work along the historic Bagnell Dam Strip in the City of Lake Ozark. This includes the immediate demolition of several blighted properties on the Strip, as well as an application for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds which, if awarded, will pave the way for another round of blight removal next year.

Nick Reese, President of Reese Development, presented the plan to the Lake Ozark Board of Aldermen at a recent workshop session. “Our company has been working in partnership with the City to identify blighted properties for removal,” Reese stated. “We appreciate their support as we take this important first step to clean up the Strip and prepare for redevelopment.”

The CDBG program is a federal initiative administered by the Missouri Department of Economic Development to redevelop urban areas in low to moderate income communities. At the workshop, Reese requested the City’s assistance in applying for $600,000 in CDBG funds to demolish blighted commercial properties along the waterfront and Strip. Reese Development would contribute a 20% match ($120,000) and will cover the costs for the city’s grant writers and administrators.

“It is important to note, this CDBG initiative will not impose any costs on the City of Lake Ozark, outside of minimal administrative expenses,” said Reese.

Following unanimous approval by the City of Lake Ozark, the City will now initiate a search for grant writing services. The timeframe for submitting CDBG fund applications is set to open in mid-April and will remain available until mid-September, marking a competitive opportunity to secure necessary funding for these vital community development endeavors. If approved by the Missouri Department of Economic Development, the eligible CDBG fund properties would be demolished in early to mid-2025.

The eligible properties for the CDBG demolition funds would include the former Edgewater Resort, Shoreland Motel, along with the cleanup of rubble and debris between the Strip area and the waterfront.

“The Strip has been incredibly resilient, but many old attractions lay rusted and vacant from decades of neglect, and the time is now to remove the vacant properties, update infrastructure, and prepare for a prosperous future for the residents of Lake Ozark,” Reese added.

To demonstrate their commitment, the company announced they will be paying for additional demolition work out-of-pocket, pushing the total cost of planned demolition projects close to $1 million. These include Two Bit Town, the original Old Time Photos structure at 1484 Bagnell Dam Blvd, the rubble behind the Haunted Hotel, the old Sky Ferry foundation structure near the Bagnell Dam parking lot, and more. Unlike CDBG properties, these sites are slated to come down in the next few weeks.

“As someone who grew up spending summers on the Strip in the nineties, rest assured, we will be saving any important nostalgia,” Reese said.

“We’re still formulating long-term plans for the Two-Bit Town site,” Reese said, “but in the interim, we plan to use the site for special events, concerts, vendor villages, extra parking, and family friendly events like carnivals.”

Reese Development’s other projects on the Strip have included the redevelopment of the historic White House converted to Stewart’s Restaurant, revitalization of the Reese Development offices in Campbell’s Lake House, construction of a mural and fencing along the Strip, along with several other cleanup projects that have taken place over the last year.