By Wally Kennedy
Globe Staff Writer
JOPLIN, Mo. —
Work has begun on the transformation of the former Joplin Supply Co. building into the Ford Lofts, which will have 37 one- and two-bedroom apartments.
The city issued a $5.4 million building permit for the project in May. Donald Rosemann, a Kansas City developer who purchased the building at 228 S. Joplin Ave. about three years ago, said the project’s total cost will be about $8.5 million.
“We are exactly where we had targeted we would be at this stage in the project,’’ he said. “We’re right on budget and anticipate having occupancy by late summer of 2011.’’
The general contractor is Straub Construction, of Shawnee, Kan. Rosemann said the company has significant experience in the renovation of historic buildings.
“The environmental work is being done right now on the inside,” Rosemann said. “That work involves lead-based paint and asbestos. That’s why they are doing some work now on the exterior of the building. When the environmental work is done, they will move to the inside.’’
Rosemann anticipates the project will employ approximately 50 to 75 people.
“We don’t think the economy will delay us at all in terms of manpower to complete the project,’’ he said.
Kent Busch, project superintendent with Straub, said, “It’s a solid building. It’s made of poured concrete.’’
Most of the upper floors in the building are open and ready for renovation, though some demolition work will be required.
Busch said each window in the building has been measured for new replacement windows that will look like the old to retain the historical character of the building.
The building helped introduce the first Model A and Model T Fords to Southwest Missouri. Ford parts were shipped by rail to Joplin for assembly at what Ford called a “knock-down operation.’’
In October, the Missouri Housing Development Commission received approval to reserve $350,000 in federal funds for the construction project to support the development of affordable housing units in the Joplin market. The project also has received a federal tax credit valued at $663,000.
After that action by the commission, the project was bid by the suppliers and subcontractors through the general contractor. The project benefited from the downturn in the economy in that the bids were competitive, Rosemann said.
The plan involves the construction of seven one-bedroom apartments that will rent for $360 to $380 per month and 28 two-bedroom apartments that will rent for $427 to $500 per month. Two units also will be available at market prices.
The smaller units will have 757 square feet of space; the larger units will have more than 1,300 square feet. Some parking will be available in the basement of the building and on its north side.
Other affordable-housing projects in Joplin that have been supported by the Missouri Housing Development Commission in recent years include the former Frisco office building, and the Zahn and Ridgway apartment buildings. The Economic Security Corp. was a partner with a Springfield development company to make those projects happen.
For 27 years, Joplin Supply Co. manufactured parts and assembled cars in Joplin for Ford Motor Co. Beginning in 1903, the company ordered four Model A’s at a cost of $600 each.
Joplin Supply Co. was the first company west of the Mississippi with which Henry Ford had a contract, according to Ron Hall, general manager of Joplin Supply Co., now at 302 S. Michigan Ave.
Joplin Supply’s roots in the city date to 1899, when it was a primary supplier of mining-related equipment and hardware.
The building at 228 S. Joplin Ave. was owned by the Joe Harding Co. of Joplin for many years after Joplin Supply moved.
Building history
In 1908, Joplin Supply Co. ordered the Model T, which also was known as the Tin Lizzie. To meet demand for the vehicle, which would exceed 15 million units nationwide between 1908 and 1928, Joplin Supply built a five-story, brick warehouse at the northwest corner of Third Street and Joplin Avenue. It was completed in 1923. Large elevators carried the vehicles from floor to floor where parts were added. The first floor was a showroom. A vehicle could be purchased for payments of $5 per week.
