Future Plans

Unfortunately, this 95-year-old building has fallen in disrepair. In June 2020, a partial roof collapse closed the building to the public. Later that year, the City Council authorized SFS Architecture to conduct a study to make a recommendation on the future use of Memorial Hall. City staff worked with the consultant to gather public input through multiple surveys and meetings. The community supported renovating Memorial Hall, indicating the facility should continue to honor our veterans and serve as a multipurpose facility as it has been during its first 100 years. Space should be flexible and provide for various needs which include community meeting spaces, performing arts spaces, and spaces for indoor recreation programs.

To provide for the wide variety of needs and spaces, the SFS Study recommendation is to complete a full renovation of Memorial Hall, along with an 8,500 square foot addition (annex) on the west side of the Hall. 

The renovation will include reconstruction and improvements to the following: 

• General Site and Exterior
• Basement Level 
• Dressing Rooms
• Main Level 
• Mezzanine Level 

 The addition (annex) will include: 

• Multi-purpose recreation space 
• Large event/banquet space for up to 400 
• Separate entry (allowing addition only or addition with Memorial Hall )
• Catering/Warming Kitchen to serve just the addition 

The renovation and expansion of Memorial Hall will create an indoor space that is as flexible as possible. It will create opportunities for indoor recreation programs, meetings, and events, as well as concerts and other entertainment. The flexibility is needed to serve Joplin as a Community Center well into the future, even as needs will change over time. The renovation and expansion of Memorial Hall will also enhance Connect2Culture’s Cornell Complex just to the North of the Hall. Both facilities should create synergy in Downtown Joplin, a growing, vibrant part of our community.

The Memorials to our Veterans will also be enhanced with the proposed renovation by vacating 8th Street to allow all the historical monuments that are now scattered in and around the building to be centrally located and create an impressive display of memorials honoring our war veterans and their families for their service. The area will be named Veterans Way and visible to all entering Memorial Hall.