Nearing the two-and-a-half year mark on November 22 this year, City officials joined community leaders today to note the progress already completed since May 2011 and to reiterate the goal of completing the job in bringing Joplin back bigger and better.
City Manager Mark Rohr noted that following the tornado on May 22, 2011, the City went into a state of emergency to ensure the safety of its citizens and cleanup of the streets and neighborhoods. “Focusing on different goals throughout several clean-up phases brought the community together as we focused on our common purpose. That work is complete, but yet there is still more to do,” he said. “Recovery is a marathon; it is not a sprint.”
During his remarks at the press conference today, Rohr stated that 90% of homes damaged or destroyed have a building permit filed, and that business recovery continues. Although over 550 businesses were damaged or destroyed, more than 500 are reopened, as well as 145 new businesses have opened since May 2011, according to the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce.
“These numbers are evidence of Joplin’s progress. Our original goal was to limit the loss of population to our community. We feel we have met this goal and recognize a 4.1% decline since the disaster. Our goal now has shifted to population growth in the next five years. This is being done through making the EDR (recovery area) as attractive as possible with new projects and amenities.”
In addition, Jonathan Raiche, Assistant City Planner, stated that more than 200 families have received applications for the new program that provides up to $30,000 in assistance to homebuyers who qualify. Raiche noted that the public may not realize that the Joplin Homebuyers Assistance Program (J-HAP) has different guidelines than previous assistance packages. “Households can make up to 120% of Joplin’s median income. And it’s open to everyone, Joplin citizens as well as those in other areas who may be interested in moving here. It provides a great opportunity for those looking to purchase their home versus renting or commuting from other cities.”
Other amenities helping increase the attractiveness of the recovery area and Joplin as a whole is the emphasis on the trail system. The City’s objective is to increase the current trail mileage from 20 miles to 40 miles to meet the community’s goal of creating a more pedestrian and bicycle friendly community.
Various programs to help replace the 18,000 trees lost have also been developed. Through numerous donations and other funding, 12,000 trees have been planted in parks, public right of ways and in yard’s through the City’s residential free tree program. This work reaches nearly half of the City’s goal of reforesting Joplin with 25,000 trees.
Improvements and repairs are supported utilizing funds from the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) assistance program though the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The City originally received $45 million in CDBG-DR funding. The City’s proposed budget for these funds included more than $31 million for housing; and $6.5 million for infrastructure needs within the disaster area. In March 2013, HUD announced an additional $113 million had been allocated to the City of Joplin to help the community recover.
City officials continue to work with community leaders on numerous ongoing projects, such as Mercy Hospital, Joplin High, Middle and Elementary Schools, industrial growth with Heartland Pet Products and Coca-Cola, and interchange upgrades to main corridors such as Range Line and South Main Street. Other projects spread throughout the community include new affordable housing options, and facilities designed for the senior market, as well as anchor developments such as the library-theater /mixed-use development, and retail additions.
“We have completed a great deal in these past two-and-a-half years,” said Rohr. “But there is still much to do and we will finish the job. Joplin has been recognized for our resilience and our collaborative work. By working together, much has been accomplished, and I know there is much energy in our community to ensure that Joplin will build back bigger, better and stronger.”
To view the work and collaborative efforts throughout Joplin, the public can go to a new page on the City’s website, www.joplinmo.org/thrivein5 . The page is designed to host images and information relating to the diverse projects completed and in progress.
“We hope those who have been watching Joplin will continue to check our progress through our website as we work together in our recovery,” said Rohr.
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