Architectural firms selected for Joplin library project

(From the City of Joplin)

Progress continues on the development of the new library to be located at the northeast corner of 20th and Connecticut Streets. The City of Joplin has selected SAPP Design Associates (SDA) of Springfield, Mo., for the architectural design and Tri-State Engineering of Joplin for site civil design services.

SDA has extensive library experience, and has worked on numerous projects in Joplin including the new Irving Elementary, Fire Station No. 4, as well as other projects in Neosho and in Carl Junction. SDA will include the firm of OPN Architects of Cedar Rapids, Iowa as part of its team. SDA officials noted OPN brings added depth to the planning process, as well as their special appreciation for a city in recovery, as OPN was selected for the planning and design of the new Cedar Rapids library after it was destroyed by devastating floods in 2008. SDA also brings with it the expertise of Godfrey’s Associates, a library planning specialist from Dallas, Texas.

Tri-State Engineering is a 35-year Joplin firm that the City has worked with on numerous projects over the years, most recently new Fire Stations 2 and 4. They were also involved with the Bel-Aire Plaza among other projects.

“With this part of the process completed, the design firm can begin the conceptual planning of the library facility, as well as assist library leadership in mapping the programming needs. This has been a process two years in the making,” said Tony Robyn, a City of Joplin Planner.
SDA and its partners, in concert with the City and the Joplin Library, will immediately begin a series of workshops, focus groups, and community meetings to explore the needs and the opportunities presented by and for the Joplin Community. The first of these engagement sessions will be held Tuesday, February 3. The Town Hall Community Meeting will be held at 7:30 to 9 p.m. in the large meeting room at the Library, 300 Main Street.

“This is the first meeting to get input as part of the new library building, and begins the process in designing a new strategic plan that will help the library plan for the future,” said Jacque Gage, Director of the Joplin Public Library. “We will meet with specific groups throughout this next week, to learn of their needs that will be part of the discussions in the design work for our new facility.”

Another opportunity for the public to participate in this week’s session will be on Wednesday afternoon. SDA and Library staff invites adult users and senior citizens to a session from12:30 to 2:30 p.m. to provide input on their uses and needs of a library.

Gage and city officials are looking forward to hearing from the public. “This new building will address many problems the library has at our current location: an overall lack of space and inability to expand either outward or upward; a lack of ADA accessibility and compliance; a lack of parking; a building not designed with the capacity for today’s electrical or computing needs; and a host of other issues. As we begin to plan the new library, we want to make sure the new library building is built both for today’s needs and tomorrow’s dreams. We would like to plan with flexibility in order to meet future needs and opportunities that do not currently exist. However, we need and want the public’s input.”

Gage noted that the Library invited members of the focus groups to participate in their designated time slot. She said the public would be welcome to attend, if space allowed. She encouraged citizens to call the Library for the meeting time they are planning to attend to learn of seat availability. The number to call is 417-623-7953, ext. 20.

In addition to the community meetings discussed previously, SDA and Library staff will host the following meetings for the identified user groups:

Tues - 2/3 - Teens - 5:30-7 p.m. *
Tues - 2/3 - Community Town Hall Meeting - 7:30 – 9 p.m.
Wed - 2/4 - Adult Users/Seniors - 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Wed - 2/4 - Community/Non-Profit/Faith Based - 3:30-5:30 p.m. *
Wed - 2/4 - Education - 6 - 8 p.m. *
Thurs - 2/5 - Parent/Caregiver - 6 - 8 p.m. *
Fri - 2/6 - Business - 7:30 - 9 a.m. *

* Please call the Library at 417-623-7953, ext. 20 to learn of seat availability. *
Meetings will be held at the Joplin Library.

“The initial meetings primarily concentrate on user groups,” said Gage, “and we will hold more public meetings in upcoming weeks and months if citizens cannot make these times.”

The Library project is a partnership with the Economic Development Administration, which awarded the City a $20 million grant to assist in the redevelopment of the 20th Street area following the 2011 disaster. The project will include site infrastructure repairs and improvements, as well as the new facility. It is a matching grant from EDA of 80% to 20% City resources, the City will fund $5 million of the project; approximately $4.5 million in TIF funding and $500,000 match in land value of property the City owns at 20th and Connecticut.

Construction is planned for fall 2015.

View Library discussion at Council meeting...