Residents asked to weigh in on Memorial Hall

Following a community survey and a public meeting about the future of Memorial Hall that had over 800 responses, a second survey has been developed to ask citizens their opinions on preliminary concepts and programming possibilities within this historic building.

City staff, along with the consultant group of SFS Architecture, are encouraging residents to participate in this opportunity to provide their input about the initial ideas for Memorial Hall.

The survey is found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MemorialHallPossibilities . Residents have until Monday, October 19 to view the concepts and give their opinion about the ideas.

“Memorial Hall was once known for great concerts, but the market has changed through the years, so it’s become a popular site for different community and family type events,” said Paul Bloomberg, Joplin Parks and Recreation Director. “Other venues in the area can offer the large concert events affordably, and the City cannot compete with them. So, what else do you see taking place in this historic building. We’re looking to our citizens to answer this question.”

In addition to the public surveys about this 95-year old building, two meetings have been held with the public focusing on the facility’s potential and possibilities.

A third and final meeting is set for Tuesday, October 27. Consultants will discuss information gathered in the surveys, along with their assessment of the building’s conditions and a market analysis, and offer their recommendation for Memorial Hall. More details about this meeting will be announced as the date draws near.

For more information about the Memorial Hall study, go to www.joplinmo.org/parksurveys or contact Parks and Recreation Director Paul  Bloomberg at 417-625-4750.