Jamestown  (CSi)  Jamestown Tourism Director Searle Swedlund says tourism numbers in Jamestown continue to be off, with lasting affects of the COVID-19 pandemic, however he says being off by about 17-percent, is still not as bad as anticipated a few months ago.

On Tuesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Searle said, at the beginning of pandemic, and the slowdown of travel due to attempts to slow the spread of the virus, it was feared that visitor numbers were going to be substantially lower.

In July this year the tourist numbers began to rebound, including visits to Frontier Village and the National Buffalo Museum in Jamestown.  He pointed out that the National Buffalo Museum is now allowing walk-in visitors, where previously appointments were necessary.   The use of face masks is highly encouraged, along with social distancing.

At Frontier Village, visiting hours have been cutback compared to other years, as a cost savings measure.

Searle added that maintenance work is in progress at the Village.

Also on our show, he reviewed the plans in progress in the development of the Buffalo City Park, and noted the many features planned for the Park, including a hotel and restaurant in addition to the planned new location of the National Buffalo Museum on the footprint off I-94 on land currently owned by the North Dakota State Hospital, now the buffalo herd’s pasture land.  He pointed out the proximity of the Park to the interstate, saying that the location is about three-tenths of a mile off I-94, which would be the closest attraction of its type to an interstate in North Dakota.  The buffalo herd will be a major draw to the Park.

He said the North Dakota Legacy Fund dollars continue to be looked at as the major source of funding, promoting North Dakota as a whole as a continued major visitor attraction, with a good return on state dollars invested in the project.  The  state’s investment in the $47 million to $57 million project is estimated to generate annual revenues of $13-million with the annual operating costs of around $10 million.

JSDC has approved, with the City of Jamestown, funding for a market and financial feasibility assessment for Buffalo City Park from Economic Development Funds,  in the amount of $25,000, with the City Share to be $20,000 and paid from the City Sales Tax Fund..  Tourism Director Searle Swedlund said feasibility study  “Builds a case,” for the project, and studies traffic counts on I-94. The Park is estimated to draw 300,000 visitors annually.

On the drawing board is the planned Bison Discover Center, The Dakota Corral for children, plus, The Dakota Lands Pavilion, Gondola and Enhanced Dakota Thunder, Buffalo City Amphitheater, Bison Ranch BBQ, Bison Mall, and Tatanka Lodge, estimated to draw at least 300,000 tourists annually to Jamestown from traffic generated off I-94, and regional traffic.

The North American Bison Discovery Center could possibly become an expanded National Buffalo Museum location highlighting the history of the American Bison.

The proposed Buffalo City Park in Jamestown was discussed at a roundtable meeting in Bismarck on July 23, where the tourist attraction presentation was reviewed with state officials, and developers.

At the planning, funding,and  development meeting were Governor Doug Burgum, Lt. Governor Brent Sanford, along with North Dakota Commerce Commissioner, Michelle Kommer, and developers, Brian Lunde, and  Apogee Attractions from  Porter Ranch, California.