The Joplin Globe
—
City leaders last week unanimously ratified a tornado recovery plan aimed launching a fast-paced rebuilding plan in the wake of the May 22, 2011 tornado.
The Citizens Advisory Recovery Team was formed in the aftermath of the tornado at the suggestion of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Long-Term Community Recovery Task Force. The team, which included some Joplin and Duquesne officials, business owners, community leaders and residents, outlined its purposes in the beginning.
“First and foremost, to engage residents to determine their recovery vision for Joplin and to represent their views to the community,” the group stated on its website, joplinarea cart.com.
The team was divided into four sectors: housing and neighborhoods, schools and community facilities, infrastructure and environment, and economic development.
“Our process has been to gather citizen input, distill the information we received and to develop priorities,” the group stated on its website. “We used that information to craft a vision statement and goals. Each sector used the goals to develop potential projects that could be used as catalysts for recovery.”
The first meeting to gather input from residents was held during two sessions on July 12 and was attended by about 350 residents. The result was a 50-page booklet that contained every suggestion and idea and piece of feedback the group received.
The second input meeting at College Heights Christian School on Aug. 17 allowed residents to vote on priorities. Officials from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Environmental Protection Agency and the American Institute of Architects spoke to residents about applying sustainable methods across all sectors of rebuilding, as well as possible assistance that could be received from government programs.
CART also solicited resident input by canvassing Missouri Southern State University, setting up a booth at Boomtown Days and participating in Third Thursday events in downtown Joplin. The Housing and Neighborhood segment also was present during an event for displaced residents who are living in the FEMA temporary housing.
In all, CART officials estimate they received more than 1,500 responses to incorporate into a plan as Joplin rebuilds.
In September, members representing the different sectors met at First Presbyterian Church to participate in a workshop led by FEMA. They were joined by AIA members and “envisioned” projects that could act as a catalyst for recovery.
On Oct. 13-14, FEMA arranged an event sponsored by the AIA, with more than 60 architects, landscape architects and planners to bring to life many of the goals advanced by the CART through drawings, diagrams and sketches.
The following month, the results were presented to the Joplin City Council.
In making its presentation, CART members stated: “We have heard that citizens want a changed community — but this time changed by us and not Mother Nature. We have been afforded an opportunity that we never asked for and hopefully will never come again. We have heard time and time again, however, that it’s an opportunity that should not be wasted.”
Housing and neighborhoods
Establish pilot neighborhoods that include green space, walking ability, underground utilities, “connectivity and sense of community.”
Establish pilot neighborhood houses that include energy-efficient housing, and offer recommended building techniques and sustainable sizing and proximity.
Create a Neighborhood Architectural Advisory Board composed of city leaders, architects, builders and community leaders to provide expertise on best practices. It also would allow fast tracking of ideas and review of resources.
Stricter enforcement of existing nuisance codes, which would include a public awareness campaign as well as a review of nuisance and zoning codes for possible improvements.
Distribute citywide educational materials regarding insurance information to the residents, both renters and homeowners.
Schools and community facilities
House Franklin Technical Center and new high school in one building.
Build storm shelters within new Joplin schools.
Provide a method for ninth-graders to better assimilate into high school.
Build a memorial of some kind to commemorate the tornado and its victims.
Develop a center for arts and entertainment.
Improve and expand farmers market and community gardens
Infrastructure and environment
Require bike lanes for some new street construction.
Install sidewalks on both sides of streets in the devastation zone and new developments of all types (residential, commercial and industrial).
Create a Joplin Creek trail system that links into parks/green areas of all types, especially in conjunction with flood plain areas. Focus on development of a significant trail system within our community to foster walking, jogging, running and biking by residents.
Create water retention and bioswale areas in public parks (where appropriate) to capture and slow stormwater runoff.
Add rain gardens with planting of native species and appropriate tree plantings.
Establish citywide curbside recycling and more recycling receptacles at public areas and events.
Educate residents and business owners about stormwater management, recycling and reforestation practices.
Evaluate feasibility of underground utilities and telecommunications resources.
Economic development
Establish key corridors for near-term and long-term commercial, multifamily and mixed-use development, including Main Street from 15th to 50th streets; 20th Street from Duquesne Avenue to Schifferdecker Avenue; 26th Street from Main Street to Maiden Lane; and Connecticut Avenue from 20th Street to 32nd Street.
Develop and enforce guidelines to improve the appearance, materials and landscaping of commercial construction citywide.
Encourage consistency of construction materials and appearance in geographic areas.
Require a higher level of facade finish than is currently addressed by city code.
Require a higher level of landscaping around buildings and parking lots than currently exists.
In corridors noted, have design standards specific to each corridor and an advisory committee to help develop the standards and work with city staff and developers/builders on implementation.
Pursue and support the development of a medical school, possibly in partnership with Missouri Southern State University or other hosts.
Develop a virtual spec building.
Establish and develop work force housing projects to re-establish and maintain a quality work force.
Provide work force soft skills training through adult and student programs utilizing tools such as Alchemy.
Establish the Joplin area as “work force ready” by strongly supporting the state efforts on “work ready” certification at the adult and student levels.
Develop major, mixed-use anchor projects to encourage redevelopment in key areas, with an emphasis on maintaining quality-of-living concepts expressed in other CART areas.
