Joplin board orders demolition of three dangerous buildings after staff testimony on severe structural, electrical hazards

The Joplin Building Board of Appeals voted May 22 to declare three properties dangerous and ordered their demolition after city inspectors presented photographs and evidence of severe structural, electrical and sanitation hazards.

Shelley Dollison, the city’s dangerous‑building lead inspector, testified that 921 West Fifth Street was “heavily cluttered, with rotting ceilings, roof, walls, [and] floors,” and that temporary electrical installations at the site had fallen over during a recent inspection. The board admitted title work and certified‑mail and newspaper notices into evidence before finding the property met the code’s dangerous‑building definitions and ordering demolition, including outbuildings. The motion to declare 921 West Fifth a dangerous building was made by Mister Duncan and seconded by Mister Wiklendt and carried by voice vote.

Two additional properties were the subject of separate hearings and demolition orders. Dollison testified that 211 North Oak had broken and boarded windows, rotted structural members and an unstable back porch, and that title work showed the record owner and multiple certified‑mail attempts. The board declared 211 North Oak dangerous under the same local code and ordered demolition (motion by Missus Harrington; seconded by Mister Wicklund). Dollison also presented photographs of 226 South Walnut showing roof deterioration and a collapsed rear porch; the board ordered demolition for that property as well (motion by Mister Wiklendt; seconded by Mister Duncan).

City representative Andrea Noblock told the board that the city had run required legal notices in the Joplin Globe and attempted certified mailings, and that, where applicable, title work showed recent ownership transfers. Noblock and staff explained the city will file a special tax bill (a lien) against properties where demolition costs are assessed; any future purchaser would take the property subject to that lien.

The board cited subsections of Joplin Code of Ordinances chapter 26‑6.12 in each order. For 921 West Fifth the board listed subsections 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15 and 17 when declaring the property dangerous; for 211 North Oak it cited subsections 1, 4, 8, 15 and 17; for 226 South Walnut it cited subsections 1, 3, 8, 11, 15 and 17.

No members of the public appeared to contest the hearings for the three properties. The board’s orders direct the city to proceed with demolition contracting and to include outbuildings in the scope. Noblock said the city will record a special tax bill to recoup demolition costs and will attempt to serve owners where possible, but noted that in some cases owners are difficult to locate.

The board handled the hearings as part of a packed agenda that also continued dozens of other progress and demolition items to a June 26 meeting for updates and possible hearings.