Joplin board pushes dozens of progress and demolition items to June 26 as owners report mixed progress

The Joplin Building Board of Appeals on May 22 moved many properties forward to a consolidated progress-and-demolition docket on June 26 after owners and contractors described partial repairs, difficulty getting demolition bids, or active sales negotiations.

At the meeting the owner of 1909 West 15th said porch framing was underway and that plumbing and electrical work would be finished after an upcoming inspection; the board extended that permit 90 days and continued the item to June 26 for a progress report and demolition hearing (motion recorded as made by Mister Windsor and seconded by Mister Duncan). Other items continued to June 26 included 2408 West 4th Street (continued 30 days for a progress report), 530 East 7th Street (owner seeking demolition bids; city offered a consent agreement option), 74 East Hill Street, 230 South Oak Avenue, 2705 South Virginia Avenue, 2402 South Alabama, 929 South Roosevelt, 712 East Pool, 1716 West A Street, and multiple others.

Owners and contractors frequently described the practical hurdles. One owner said she had trouble getting general‑liability coverage and demolition bids and estimated rental and hauling costs could be several thousand dollars; she asked whether the city could do the work and charge the cost back to the owner. Staff explained that the city can solicit bids and recover costs through a special tax bill, or in an emergency the chief building official may order an immediate demolition.

Local builder and neighbor (who identified himself as operating JW Construction) told the board that a derelict house next door to a new $275,000 spec home posed an immediate safety risk, saying: “This is one small wind blow away from a child getting hurt.” City staff responded that the board must follow statutory notice steps (certified mailing, publication, title research) before a demolition order unless the chief building official declares an emergency; the board agreed to prepare the item for a June 26 demolition hearing.

For several items owners described incremental rehab progress. A new owner of 2402 South Alabama listed debris removal, new roofing, plumbing and electrical work, sheetrock repairs and window replacement and said the team expects to finish by the end of June; the board continued the item and will monitor inspections.

Where owners did not respond or could not be located, staff told the board it has been preparing title searches, certified mailings and publication notices to satisfy procedural requirements before ordering demolition. The board repeatedly used continuances and scheduled multiple full demolition hearings for June 26 to balance procedural fairness with neighborhood safety.