JOPLIN PUBLIC LIBRARY

Currently under development, this approximately 58,000 square foot modern facility will be relocated from a small downtown site to the corner of 20th and Connecticut in the heart of the recovery area. It will serve as an anchor of a larger future adjacent private mixed-use retail development.

Funded in part by a $20 million Federal Economic Development Administration grant, this building and site is currently under construction. To view a live webcam feed of progress click here.

SCHIFFERDECKER FIRE STATION #2

Completed in January 2014, and located at Junge & Schifferdecker in Joplin, this new facility includes an apparatus bay (garage) with radiant floor heating and an innovative engine exhaust removal system. The building also includes modern dormitory-type living spaces with bedrooms, restrooms, and showers, along with a kitchen, fitness room and staff offices. There is also a FEMA 361 Safe Room and a public transaction area for residents to engage the Fire Department staff as needed. The site includes innovative stormwater management and native grasses and wildflower plantings.

MAIN STREET FIRE STATION #4

Completed in December 2013, the Joplin Fire Department’s new 6,800 square foot Fire Station No. 4 is located at the intersection of Hearnes Blvd. and 34th Street. The two story station is a traditional red brick fire house with detailing to reflect some of the historical features of earlier historic stations that previously served the district.

The project includes sustainable amenities including a high performance building envelope, high efficient mechanical systems, innovative stormwater features, a rain garden, and native landscaping.

PARKS, TREES, AND TRAILS

Schifferdecker, Cunningham, and Parr Hill Parks have been revitalized with new playground equipment, a swimming pool and water park, sports equipment, trails, as well as trees, ponds, parking, and other amenities.

A new 8 acre park adjacent to Campbell Parkway was recently acquired and is being restored as a native tallgrass prairie demonstration area complete with trails. An adjacent 9 acre stormwater detention area is planted with native trees and seeded with wildflowers and grasses and includes a new trail connecting 15th and 4th streets.

An additional 20 miles of city-wide multi-use trails under construction will nearly double the city-wide trail network to over 40 miles when completed.

Park Enhancements Underway Video

JOPLIN SCHOOLS

The new Joplin Senior High School/Franklin Technology Center opened in 2014.

Jan. 6, 2014 marked the opening of three new schools: Irving Elementary, Soaring Heights Elementary, and East Middle School. The new schools are home to more than 1,300 students who were attending classes at temporary facilities since the 2011 disaster.

These modern facilities incorporate multiple innovative energy and sustainable technologies.

SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER

The current facility was damaged in the disaster and has never been fully repairable. A new 15,000 square foot facility is being planned for the 26th and McClelland area adjacent to the new public park and Mercy Garden and Chapel area. The new facility will provide better program opportunities for participants and will include meetings spaces, a game room, a small library, a large dining hall, and a catering style kitchen to continue to provide quality meal service to seniors. Bates Architectural was selected and design has begun; plans are to be open to the public in 2018.

MERCY GARDEN AND CHAPEL

A 9 acre project of Mercy Hospital, the Mercy Chapel and Gardens is on the former site of St. John's Regional Medical Center and includes trees, gardens, and trails. The chapel opened in March 2015 and the adjacent public Mercy Park will open August 2016 and includes trails, gardens, a large pond, and trees.

MERCY PUBLIC PARK

This 18 acre public park is currently under construction and includes trails, trees, wildflower plantings, a pond, restrooms, and picnic shelters. Developed on land donated to the City by Mercy Hospital, the park will be open in August 2016.

HOPE VALLEY TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT

The Hope Valley Development is located in the Silver Creek Galleria area along South Range Line Road and 44th Street. The project consists of approximately 200 acres of retail and hospitality developments to include national retailers, restaurants, recreation activities, and hotels. The overall development will include enhancements and restoration of Silver Creek that bisects the property to include trails, native and wildlife friendly plantings, and a series of ponds and wetlands. While not directly in the recovery area, this major development will enhance and anchor the South Range Line area of the tornado's path through the commercial district and spur significant growth to southeast Joplin.

CROSSROADS BUSINESS PARK INTERCHANGE

This newly added interchange on I-44/I-49 is a major improvement to the business and industrial park by routing traffic directly to and from the interstate, lessening issues in neighboring communities and neighborhoods. The $8.6 million double-roundabout interchange has made for more efficient trucking transport in and out of the industrial park, according to Rob O’Brian, president of the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce.

“That area has been growing because of the park, but it has all been growing in general,” O’Brian said in a previous interview with JRBJ. “And by having the interchange, it’ll be really one of the few places in this part of the country where we can literally leave an industrial park with no stop lights and go right onto an interstate.”

The project was completed in 2016.