Joplin council directs staff to pursue Memorial Hall public‑private rehabilitation plan

Friends of Memorial Hall presented a plan to rehabilitate Joplin’s Memorial Hall and the City Council voted unanimously Monday to direct staff to move the proposal forward.

Melody Colbert Keane, speaking for the group, told the council Friends of Memorial Hall would “retain the ownership and be responsible for the rehab of the building, for the operations” and that financing would rely on a combination of tax credits, a proposed 2% lodging tax increase and $2,000,000 in community fundraising. Lori Hahn, the group’s project lead, said Crossland Construction prepared a detailed rehabilitation estimate and that the plan is scoped to restore the building within its existing footprint with a budgeted contingency (the group described a $14,000,000 working estimate and $16,000,000 budgeted to allow for a 20% contingency).

City staff and project partners outlined next steps. The city manager said staff would draft a memorandum of understanding between the city and Friends of Memorial Hall and would present that MOU for council consideration; a council member noted the plan also requires state legislation to authorize the lodging tax and a public vote before the tax could be implemented. City staff emphasized the sequence: community fundraising and tax‑statute approval at the state level would precede any significant city outlay.

Council discussion addressed risk and oversight. Councilmember Josh Detar said he supported saving Memorial Hall but wanted public clarity on the city’s limited exposure, asking whether the city’s commitment would occur only after private fundraising and tax measures were secured. City staff and the Friends’ team said the plan was structured to minimize use of general‑fund dollars and rely on new lodging tax revenue and tax credits; the team also noted the $2,000,000 community fund was earmarked for start‑up, bridge financing and long‑term operational support rather than construction line items.

The council heard public comment raising conflicts‑of‑interest concerns and asking for a neutral citizen‑led process; a resident submitted a written statement requesting disqualification of some involved parties from influence over the project and asked that the record include that submission. American Legion Post 13 and other veterans’ representatives told the council they would remain engaged and that the memorial aspects of Memorial Hall should be preserved.

Councilman Thomas Coppell moved to direct city staff to proceed with the proposal, prepare an MOU and return with the ordinances and information required for public consideration; the motion was seconded and carried 9 in favor, none opposed. Staff said the MOU is expected to be drafted for the council’s December 1 meeting, with state pre‑file opportunities discussed for December as well.

The council’s action was procedural direction, not final authorization of funding or tax changes. Staff will return with an MOU, timelines and any necessary ordinance language, and the council will consider those items at future meetings.