Joplin demolition debris right-of-way pickup to begin

(From the City of Joplin)

Residents traveling through the City should be alert in upcoming weeks as large hauling trucks will once again be moving throughout the City as residential clean-up of demolition debris continues. The Joplin City Council approved a hauling contract with Midland Wrecking at their September 19 meeting. The contractor is expected to begin picking up debris piles remaining at the curbside of residential properties early next week.

Those who are demolishing their own structure and foundation themselves can push the resulting debris to the public right-of-way for the city contractor to pick up. However, any private contractor hired by a property owner to demolish a structure or foundation must haul the debris to a proper landfill. Reconstruction material is also not eligible for pick up at the curb by the City contractor.

In addition, debris from recent demolitions completed by the Voluntary Organization Demolition Team (VODT) will be picked up by this contractor. Property owners who are still needing demolition work done on their structure or remaining concrete appurtenances (slabs, crawl spaces, footings, driveways, etc.) can contact the VODT to have the demolition work done free of charge by calling 417-625-3558.

The City reminds residents of the October 15, 2011 deadline for property owners who still have a tornado-damaged structure or any remaining slab, basement, crawl space or footing. This deadline means property owners need to either accomplish the demolition by then, have a provable plan in place for the work to occur shortly thereafter, or notify the City of your plans to rebuild on the existing foundation.

A provable plan for the demolition and removal of foundations means that a property owner has a signed contract from a private contractor to do the work OR a signed Right-of-Entry (ROE) form authorizing a voluntary organization to go onto the property and complete the demolition. Any ROE previously signed for the removal of loose, tornado debris is not valid for the demolition and removal of structures and foundations.

If you are rebuilding on an existing slab, basement, or footing, you do not have to remove your existing foundation, but you must notify the City of your plans by this deadline. Residents can call the City’s Tornado Assistance Information Line (Tail) at 417-627-2900 during regular business hours to notify us of your rebuilding plans.

The deadline pertains to the following situations:

Tornado-damaged structures that cannot or should not be rebuilt. This applies if the structure is dangerous or if it’s not cost-effective to rebuild.

Slabs, basements, crawl spaces or footings that aren’t safe to reuse because they are not structurally sound.

Slabs, basements, crawl spaces or footings that cannot be reused because the size of the replacement structure is different.

Driveways that are no longer needed.

Any other remaining appurtenances that are no longer needed.

Residents who have debris piles along their rights-of-way can contact the City’s TAIL at 417-627-2900 to report the location of the debris, if they have not already done so. The City has been keeping a list during the past few weeks, as the hauling contract and bids were being reviewed for award determination.