Developer proposes $375 million project for Joplin

May 16—A $375 million sports, retail and residential development called Prospect Village is proposed for vacant land east of Range Line Road on the former site of International Paper Co.

"Spanning over 70-plus acres, Prospect Village will be a transformational project for both current and future generations of Joplin residents and those within the region to enjoy," project developer Drew Snyder of Woodsonia states in documents prepared for a presentation to the City Council at a meeting Monday night.

City officials said that if the project wins approval to go forward, it would be the largest in the city since Northpark Mall opened in 1972.

"The City of Joplin has seen an enormous amount of development over the last 13-plus years, and we thank so many partners, philanthropists, businesses, and developers who have helped our community rebuild," City Manager Nick Edwards said in a statement. "But this development could further accelerate future growth and the opportunities that contribute toward a thriving community."

Woodsonia is working to finish its 32nd Street Place project in the area of 32nd Street and Hammons Boulevard. That is where a Menards home improvement store recently opened and a new B&B Theatres family entertainment center will break ground soon, Woodsonia representatives said last month.

The plan for Prospect Village shows details that indicate collaboration between city officials and the developer. Those are tailored to address needs for community growth identified previously by city officials including a sports and event center, more housing, and new retail draws.

Woodsonia proposes the new development for 78 acres of largely vacant land at 2609 Range Line Road. One of the main components would be a 20-acre sports and events center structured to draw 80,000 to 100,000 out-of-state visitors a year.

A sports and events center has been sought by Joplin's tourism, sports and hospitality industries. Representatives of the Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Joplin Sports Authority and the Southwest Missouri Lodging Association participated in a study completed last year that recommended a facility be built in a high-traffic area such as Range Line, saying that could be Joplin's best bet for a venue that would attract visitors and revenue.

That center, according to the proposed plans, would have tournament-sized basketball and volleyball courts, outdoor turf fields for baseball, soccer, softball, lacrosse and other sports with spectator seating, locker rooms and concession stands.

Another part of the proposal is a provision for up to 350 multifamily housing units that would be built to accommodate different family sizes and price points, the documents state.

Results of a housing study in a 2022 report commissioned by the city pointed to a strong need for housing need for at least a decade. Edwards said at the time that Joplin needed to double home construction to provide for that growth. Additionally, more housing options at all levels and prices for different ages and demographics was necessary.

"We need more affordable housing. We need more workforce housing. We need housing for the senior population and we need more housing for the younger generation. There's an across-the-board need for additional housing," Edwards said then.

In addition to the sports and event center, part of the property would bring new hospitality features.

"An anchor retailer, multiple hotels and several unique retail and restaurant concepts not currently in Joplin are planned to be included within this area of the project," the developer's presentation states.

City officials also have hopes that a new grocery store will come to the development because many residents have asked for that, the city manager said.

Because the property for Prospect Village was the site of a corporate wood-treating operation, some of the land would require remediation before construction could go forward, the plan documents state.

"This property has been very unattractive to developers for a long time due to all the complicating factors this land faces," the city manager said. "We are thrilled that Woodsonia is looking at this property and willing to go through extraordinary effort to polish this diamond in the rough. This may be the only chance this property gets to be renovated into something that could greatly benefit our community."

He invited residents to hear the details of the proposal by attending the City Council meeting at 6 p.m. Monday at City Hall, watching the meeting on KGCS-TV or watching the livestream at http:// www.joplinmo.org/182/Video-Multimedia.