Three new structures underway will change the face of downtown Joplin

Three new building projects underway in the city, after years of planning, are finally taking shape. Together, they promise to radically change the appearance and services offered in downtown Joplin.

Jasper County Courthouse

The $35 million dollar project will replace the current building constructed in 1975. The project was approved in April, 2019 with the extension of a quarter cent sales tax. The building will add two more rooms for court hearings. Technology, ADA compliance and security for staff, victims and the public are other highlights

Much of the $35,000,000 building actually will exist below ground level. For weeks, construction crews worked on the basement foundation before moving to the superstructure of the building which is now taking shape.

The building will open later this year or in early next year.

Cornell Complex

The 37,000 square foot Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex at 212 W. 7th will be the new home for Spiva Center for the Arts and the Connect2Culture performing arts group.

The Complex will feature state of the art galleries and a 450 seat hall that will serve spoken word, cinema, musical, comedic and even operatic uses. The hall is centrally located within the building to optimize acoustic isolation as well as ease of access.

Inside, the space has been designed to become a larger single flat floor space continuous with the stage that can host an even wider range of uses including art exhibits, trade shows, receptions and a wide range of additional special events.

The structure’s naturally sloped event lawn will create an amphitheater for a full range of outdoor cinema and theater programming that can be used separately or in conjunction with indoor programming.

The Cornell Complex, funded with more than $17 million in donations, is expected to open early next year

Braum’s

Once supermarket and, after that, a recreation center and then a Salvation Army Center, the building at 26th and Main suffered heavy damage in the May 2011 Joplin tornado.

The building ultimately was torn down to create a location for a new business.

Now, over a decade later, Braum’s is constructing one of its “XL” model buildings at the location. The 5,862-square-foot brick building will have double drive-thru windows and a dining room that can seat about 75 to 80 people. An outdoor dining area will be on the south side of the building. The new store also will include a spacious Fresh Market area that will feature meats, fruits, vegetables and dairy products.

Braum’s specializes in hamburgers and sandwiches as well as frozen yogurt and ice cream. The store will join two others on Range Line Road and other outlets in the area.

Braum’s has stores in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas.

The new Braum’s should be open later this year or in early 2022.