JOPLIN, MO.--- Joplin city leaders take the final step in pursuing construction of a new library and theater complex. The project will cost a total of $38 million, $25 million for the library portion, and $13 million for the theater. The theater will be paid for by revenue bonds from the Joplin Tax Increment Financing District or 'TIF'.
The new building will be located on the northeast corner of 20th and Connecticut. The library theater complex is the first tornado redevelopment project proposed by the city's master developer, Wallace Bajjali. City leaders expect to receive a response from the EDA sometime next week.
"People are going to see that the plan that has been developed by the master developer, we are following that. We're utilizing things that the C.A.R.T. has done and that is the citizens. We're proceeding forward, we're going through the steps necessary, and hopefully this will be the catalyst to do the rest of the development," states Mayor Melodee Colbert-Kean, Joplin.
The city council also approved an agreement with the Joplin Public Library Board to change facilities. City leaders haven't decided what to do with the current library building. The mayor says once they receive the grant from the EDA, they will begin construction as soon as possible.
The new building will be located on the northeast corner of 20th and Connecticut. The library theater complex is the first tornado redevelopment project proposed by the city's master developer, Wallace Bajjali. City leaders expect to receive a response from the EDA sometime next week.
"People are going to see that the plan that has been developed by the master developer, we are following that. We're utilizing things that the C.A.R.T. has done and that is the citizens. We're proceeding forward, we're going through the steps necessary, and hopefully this will be the catalyst to do the rest of the development," states Mayor Melodee Colbert-Kean, Joplin.
The city council also approved an agreement with the Joplin Public Library Board to change facilities. City leaders haven't decided what to do with the current library building. The mayor says once they receive the grant from the EDA, they will begin construction as soon as possible.
