Bob Foos
Organizations united in the effort to revitalize Joplin Memorial Hall announced Tuesday that architectural renderings will be ready to view by the public before the fundraising campaign officially begins in October.
The effort to save the 1924 building received an essential boost on July 13 when Gov. Mike Kehoe signed into law the authority for Joplin’s lodging tax to be increased from 4% to 6%. Rep. Layne Roberts and Sen. Jill Carter were credited for their work in getting the measure passed by their colleagues.
Now the additional 2% tax must be approved by Joplin voters.
In the meantime, Lori Haun, executive director of the Downtown Joplin Alliance, said a local architectural firm is preparing a preliminary plan to address structural problems and provide a vision of how the interior spaces will be restructured. The preliminary plan will include renderings to show the public what is planned.
Melodee Colbert-Kean, vice president of Friends of Joplin Memorial Hall, said she thinks the main purpose is to design the building to “bring people together again.”
Robert Harrington, president of the Friends group, said the renderings will be instrumental to the fundraising campaign to raise $2 million by October 2027. “We’ll be asking you to please help us raise money to restore Memorial Hall.”
Once the goal is met, Harrington said $7 million in bonds will be sold to finance the project.
Joplin Mayor Rob O’Brian noted that the project especially has the City Council’s backing because after the Memorial Hall project is complete the additional 2% tax can be used to finance other projects that draw tourists to Joplin.
Clifford Wert (of Webb City), treasurer for the Friends of Joplin Memorial Hall, said donors don’t have to wait for his new organization to obtain its nonprofit status. He suggested tax-deductible donations may be sent to the Downtown Joplin Alliance, with a memo stating it is for the Memorial Hall campaign.
Downtown Joplin Alliance
931 E. 4th St.
Joplin, MO 64801
