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Building board clears multiple cases, continues many properties to Oct. 24; ARPA funding and asbestos testing noted
Summary
At its Sept. 26 meeting the Joplin Building Board of Appeals released several properties after ARPA approvals or permit pulls, extended many cases to Oct. 24 for progress reports and demolition hearings, and discussed asbestos testing, demolition bidding and possible procedural reforms.
The Joplin Building Board of Appeals used its Sept. 26 meeting to release several properties from its docket, extend multiple cases for follow‑up and hear updates on pending ARPA grant approvals and asbestos testing requirements.
Staff said properties at 1705 South Byers and 315 North Mineral were eligible for ARPA demolition funding and were released from the board’s agenda to allow owners and the city to proceed with removal. Several other properties — including 1010 West 3rd Street, 1909 West 15th, 1248 South Roosevelt and multiple parcels cited for dangerous conditions — were continued to the board’s Oct. 24 meeting for progress reports or formal demolition hearings.
Owners and representatives who spoke described progress on exterior work (siding, windows), fundraising and contracting steps. One buyer, Ryan Flanagan, said his contract recently closed and that roof, plumbing and a structural‑engineer review remain before construction can start. Several owners described the cost and timing constraints of asbestos testing for commercial buildings; staff reiterated that state rules require sampling for certain demolitions.
Board members and staff discussed an operational problem that has slowed demolition: difficulty getting three contractor bids for city‑led demolitions. A staff member said contractors told the city ‘‘they’re so busy that they’re doing bigger jobs’’ and that the city has begun bundling multiple properties to make bids more attractive. The board also discussed whether certain nuisance enforcement tasks could be handled administratively by staff to speed outcomes while keeping dangerous‑building hearings with the board.
Why it matters: The meeting shows the city advancing property removals funded by ARPA and clearing older agenda items, while also highlighting practical constraints — asbestos testing timelines and procurement limits — that affect how quickly structures can be made safe or removed.
What happens next: Dozens of items were moved to Oct. 24 for progress reports or demolition hearings. Staff will continue outreach to owners, coordinate asbestos sampling where required, and advertise demolition work per procurement rules.
