More than 100 people came to City Hall today for an afternoon session on the master developer’s proposals for Joplin’s redevelopment.
Residents also were asked to post comments and were encouraged to ask questions about each of the projects that make up the $800 million proposal by Wallace Bajjali Development Partners of Sugar Land, Texas.
“I think it’s a great idea,” resident and business owner George Bostick said of the overall proposal to build various kinds of housing, a performing arts complex, a medical education complex and various types of retail development. “I hope they get private enterprise involved in it,” and not rely strictly on government funding and city backing, Bostick said of the projects.
Bostick, formerly of 3M Business Products and an owner of restaurants and car washes, said the projects appear to be a golden opportunity for Joplin, which he said lacked those opportunities when he moved here 43 years ago.
Resident Bill Pate questioned whether some of the projects, such as a new library proposed for a site on 20th street, would be accessible to the senior citizens and low-income residents on the north side of town who do not have transportation and cannot afford to ride the city’s Sunshine Lamp trolley.
The site where St. John’s Regional Medical Center was destroyed by the 2011 EF-5 tornado is favored by those who are posting ideas for a tornado memorial. The input is sought by the Citizens Advisory Recovery Team.
Another session is set for 6 to 8 p.m. today in the basement of City Hall, 602 S. Main St.
Local News
Master developer session draws crowd
- Local News
-
-
Sheriff’s funds to pay for two building projects
Jasper County’s general fund budget may pay some initial costs for renovating and constructing two county buildings, but the final bill for the projects will come from law enforcement sales tax funds.
-
Pittsburg crews work to repair storm damaged Schlanger Park
City crews using heavy equipment spent Thursday cleaning up Schlanger Park after a storm tracked through Monday night.
-
No charges to be filed in Joplin shooting case
The nonfatal shooting of a 25-year-old man at a Joplin residence on May 13 has been deemed justified by authorities. Jacob B. Boykin, 21, of Joplin, shot Justin S. Johnson, 25, of Carterville, once in the chest with a small-caliber handgun at 5260 E. Sunny Acres Lane.
-
Mike Pound: DVD smells like pizza; how great is that?
Just when I think the rest of the world is passing us by, this great country does something that renews my faith in innovation. It does something that renews my faith in that can-do spirit that led Charles Lindbergh to fly nonstop across the Atlantic, thus leading to the invention of the airplane bathroom.
-
Joplin Board of Education to decide fate of East Middle School teacher
After hearing nearly 10 hours of testimony from more than a dozen witnesses and accepting more than 45 exhibits into evidence, members of the Joplin Board of Education voted to move behind closed doors Thursday night to decide whether Randy Turner, a communication arts teacher at East Middle School, will continue to teach.
-
Memorial Day travelers bemoan high gas prices
Norm Hayward and his wife, Claudia, have a couple of things going for them as they continue their increasingly expensive motor home trip around parts of the United States. For starters, the Phoenix, Ariz., couple are saving on hotel costs.
-
Cunningham Park vandalism estimated at $4,000
Vandals caused an estimated $4,000 worth of damage in Cunningham Park, draining the pool in the aquatic center of about 200,000 gallons of water and throwing some large landscaping rocks into the reflecting pond.
-
Joplin team drove through storm to get to Moore
It was a long drive in the middle of a severe thunderstorm that had earlier produced a massive tornado in Moore, Okla. With the two-year anniversary of Joplin’s deadly twister approaching on Wednesday, a team of 14 Joplin emergency workers was ready to risk the trip in order to get help to a hurting Moore.
-
Cunningham Park vandalism bill estimated at $4,000
The city estimates that vandals caused about $4,000 worth of property damage in Cunningham Park, draining the swimming pool of 200,000 gallons of water and moving some large landscaping rocks into the reflecting pond.
-
Content of book, students' access to it at issue in hearing for suspended teacher
A standing-room only crowd is present at the hearing this morning to decide the fate of suspended Joplin Middle School teacher Randy Turner, who has asked for the hearing before the board of education.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Sheriff’s funds to pay for two building projects
