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Downtown Joplin Alliance reports new businesses, plans for historic-district survey and 2026 events
Summary
Laurie Hahn of the Downtown Joplin Alliance outlined recent downtown business openings, ongoing events (restaurant week, 3rd Thursday, Empire Market), a potential survey of about 49 buildings between Joplin Avenue and Byers (1st'7th) to consider historic-district inclusion and access to tax credits, and a six-strategy plan to fill empty spaces and support small-business growth.
Laurie Hahn, representing the Downtown Joplin Alliance, told the council the downtown organization focused this year on new programming, business recruitment and a potential historic-district survey that could expand preservation and redevelopment options.
Hahn recounted a fall restaurant week involving 18 participating businesses, multiple "3rd Thursday" events, a successful Spiva Park holiday-decorating event with volunteers and live music, and continued activity at the Empire Market. She listed recent downtown openings including Starry eyed Girl, 122 Lounge, a barbershop at 122, Aloe spa and Marketplace Boutique, and noted pop-up retail and artisan activity on the 900 block.
Hahn said the proposed historic-district survey would examine roughly the area between Joplin Avenue and Byers from 1st to 7th, covering about 49 buildings that are not currently in a historic district. The survey would document building and site histories and recommend whether to create a new district or add buildings to existing districts; Hahn said listing in a historic district could make properties eligible for historic tax credits and other redevelopment incentives. She emphasized the current survey is informational and does not require property-owner permission at this stage.
She described a six-strategy strategic plan that focuses on vacancy reduction, property preservation and redevelopment, master plan development for downtown in 2026, district relations and branding, support for entrepreneurs at the Empire Market, and volunteer engagement.
Council members thanked Hahn and asked a follow-up about whether owner permission is required for district designation; Hahn said the survey itself does not require permission but municipal (local) historic designation can carry design restrictions and usually involves additional local processes and outreach.
Hahn closed by noting upcoming Alliance events including a volunteer expo, chili cook-off and the annual evening of excellence in February 2026 featuring a Place Economics speaker. No council action was taken.
