Board continues and extends permits for multiple properties, sets progress dates

At its Feb. 28, 2025 meeting the Joplin Building Board of Appeals approved continuances and permit extensions for numerous properties, citing weather delays, outstanding inspections and ongoing rehabs.

The board approved a 60‑day continuance for Item 3090 (512 West 20th Street) to the board’s April 25 meeting for a progress report and demolition hearing after owner Jason Wyke said crews were finishing another project. For 1624 West 4th (Item 3054) the board agreed to continue the item to March 28 and extend the permit to June 27, 2025 to allow remaining electrical work and final inspections to be completed.

Other properties continued to the March 28 agenda with permit extensions of roughly 60 days where needed; these included properties such as 801–805 West 1st Street, 1824 West 4th, 117 and 121 South Byers, 220 North Byers, 4020 South Main and several others the inspector reviewed. City staff said some cases may also be addressed through the city’s property‑maintenance code if owners fail to make progress.

A city representative told one owner who had already signed a demolition contract that the hearing could proceed without the owner present because the owner had consented; staff also asked owners to check in with the 4th‑floor counter to ensure extensions were entered into the permitting system. Staff repeatedly urged owners to keep damaged properties secured to prevent unauthorized entry and reduce fire risk.

Next steps: items were set for progress reports or demolition hearings at the March 28 agenda and staff said they would continue coordinating inspections and permit updates through the permitting counter and building inspectors. The board and staff also discussed a phased rollout of the city’s property‑maintenance enforcement work that may add fines or other code‑enforcement options for properties that do not progress.