The recently formed non-profit Friends of Joplin Memorial Hall provided details of its renovation plans.
Robert Harrington is the President of Friends of Joplin Memorial Hall. He’s with the Robert S. Thurman American Legion Post 13. He and several other Post 13 members wore their American Legion uniforms.
“What we want to do is bring the venue back to the citizens of Joplin so we can use it for the events that we want in this community,” Harrington said.
There are several steps needed to start the renovation.
First, Friends of Joplin Memorial Hall must raise $2 million for renovations through fundraising and private donations. The nonprofit’s board consists of Melodee Colbert-Kean, Kalli Goodman, Clifford Wert, Todd Patterson and Tony Robyn.
Once the money is raised, the nonprofit will go to the city council to seek approval of a tax-increase ballot measure for the April 2027 municipal election.
The proposed measure is to increase the Hotel/Motel tax from 4% to 6%. A press release from the city of Joplin states the increase will only be used by the city ‘solely to provide monies for the construction and maintenance of new capital projects to promote tourism in such a city.’
The tax increase will remain once the Memorial Hall renovation is complete.
The City Lodging tax also only affects residents who use hotels and motels.
The ballot measure was part of House Bill 1867 that amended the State Statute 67 100 RSmo. The legislation passed and was signed by Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe.
Memorial Hall has served as a gathering place for Joplin’s residents and veterans for over a century. The hall was built in 1925 to honor the lives lost in World War I. There are marble plaques on the walls in the lobby, listing the names of local women and men who lost their lives to foreign wars with U.S. involvement.
The hall holds many memories for veterans and people who’ve attended concerts, plays, and ballets there.
But lately, its been in disrepair and in need of renovations. The need for Memorial Hall as a concert venue has decreased because of places like Downstream Casino in Oklahoma and the Walmart Amphitheater in Arkansas.
Republican Missouri Representative Lane Roberts represents parts of Jasper and Newton County. He said Memorial Hall is a physical reminder of the sacrifice of the servicemen and women.
“These people earned our honor and our remembrance. This building is the edifice to all of that,” Roberts said.
If the ballot measure passes, the renovations will not affect the building's exterior. The stage and seating area, bathrooms and loading dock will be the first priority.
Completion of construction is anticipated for 2029.
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