Changes could be coming to Joplin’s Memorial Hall and the former downtown Library. Voters in the city will have plenty of time to make up their minds. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

The Joplin city council, at their meeting on Monday night, approved four ballot measures. Two could radically change the vision of the downtown portion of the city. The board approved a ballot measure not to exceed 30 million dollars to renovate and possibly expand Memorial Hall.

Lisa Haase, Joplin’s Finance Director, speaking at the meeting Monday night. “The renovation and expansion of Memorial Hall will also augment Connect 2 Culture’s Cornell Complex just to the north of the hall. Both facilities will help create synergy in downtown Joplin. Which has reenergized into a vibrant part of the community over the last several years.” The measure passed by a 6 to 2 vote. The council also approved a ballot measure not to exceed 10 million dollars that would pay for the remodeling of the former downtown home of the Joplin Public Library. The measure passed 7 to 1, Councilmember Phil Stinnett the lone dissent. Both measures are slated for the April 2022 ballot.