Two weeks from today, we will know the future of Joplin’s Memorial Hall and whether or not the city’s residents approved a 30 million dollar bond to renovate the nearly 100-year-old building.

The Commander of the American Legion post in Joplin, Bob Harrington, spoke Monday night at the Joplin city council meeting, sharing his thoughts about why residents should approve the bond. “Our motto for doing this and working on this program is Honor the Past and Imagine the Future. It’s a community asset that, as Brad said, we’ve lost too many of our historical buildings. We need to maintain this building; it’s very important to us. And to the veterans.”

An increase in Joplin’s property taxes would pay for hall improvements. According to city estimates, a resident who owns a $100,000 house and a $20,000 car would pay $6.20 in additional property tax monthly to support the bond. In addition to rehabilitating Memorial Hall, the city would construct an 8,500 square foot expansion and seating for 1,700 people. Election day is April 5.