Open houses to view new Joplin Library plans being held Wednesday

(From the City of Joplin)

Citizens are invited to view the plans for the new Joplin Public Library as progress continues in the relocation and development of this facility to the northeast corner of 20th and Connecticut Streets. Two Open House meetings are set for Wednesday, April 29 at the current Library location, 300 Main Street. The first session is set for 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and the second will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Both meetings will have the Library plans displayed for the public to view.

Library Director Jacque Gage and others on the Library and City staff will be attending these meetings to talk with citizens and discuss the plans for this news facility. Representatives from the project team, including architect for the project, SAPP Design Associates, will also be at the meetings to provide insight on the ongoing design work. The team has held a series of meetings with stakeholders to solicit the community’s ideas and requests which has focused on an adaptable, accessible and vibrant facility for Joplin. Information about this process will also be displayed at the open house, depicting the collaborative efforts that have taken place as the architectural elements of the Library and its surrounding grounds area are designed.

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, which includes the land value of property that the City owns at 20th and Connecticut.

TriState Engineering of Joplin is currently working on civil site design, and construction is planned to begin in fall 2015.