Neighborhood meeting set for Joplin East Town area

(From the City of Joplin)

Neighbors, business associates and interested citizens of the “East Town” area of Joplin will want to mark May 12 on their calendar. The City is hosting a Neighborhood Meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 12 at the Boys and Girls Club, 307 Comingo Avenue, to discuss the area’s priorities with those who have a vested interest in our fourth Neighborhood Improvement District.

“East Town” is the neighborhood area east of Joplin Creek, and encompasses the area within the boundaries of St. Louis to the east; Murphy Blvd. to the west; North Street to the north; and 7th Street to the south. Although these boundaries may not have been those formally established, East Town was the original City of Joplin before it merged with the development west of the creek known as Murphsyburg.

City department representatives will join the Neighborhood Services division who is hosting the meeting and providing hamburgers and hot dogs for those attending this meeting. A previous meeting helped to establish some topics for consideration including historic preservation; economic development; public safety; communications; parks and recreational activities; housing and arts and culture.

“The group gave us some really good feedback on what they’d like to see for this area,” said Stephen Grindle, Neighborhood Services Manager. “Now we want to come together to start prioritizing the projects and develop an action plan.”

This process follows the path that the City used several years ago with neighborhood areas near Junge Boulevard. With residents, non-profits, faith groups, and businesses partnering with the City, this area experienced improvements and neighborhood revitalization through a collaborative effort. The City’s work included street lights, resurfaced roads and repaired sidewalks while residents cleaned up their yards and neighborhoods by making repairs, painting, completing yard work, and assisting others in the area who could not do these activities on their own.

“This is a similar process,” said Grindle. “However, this area is unique in that it holds some of Joplin’s earliest and most diverse history and culture. With its connection to downtown, Route 66 and the legacy of Langston Hughes, many Joplinites want to see this part of town flourish once again. These are some of the reasons why we’d like to encourage residents and interested citizens to join us at this meeting on May 12.”