Tonight the combined boards that oversee the Joplin Museum Complex will meet to discuss and vote on the plan presented by City Manager, Mark Rohr, on moving the JMC to a restored Union Depot building. While we believe the vote will be only to push for further investigation and feasibility, it’s an important step in the future of the JMC and for Joplin.
It is at this point that the JMC can reject the plan, and if the City Council refuses to throw its considerable heft into the question, thus will end the chance to bring history to history. The SPARK program, outlined by Mr. Rohr in his recent guest column in the Joplin Globe is a dynamic and bold vision for the future of the city. The transfer of the JMC to the Union Depot is likely not a make or break element of SPARK, it should and will move on without the JMC if the Board chooses to vote against the plan. However, to do so will result in the JMC failing to keep abreast with the future of the city and her people. The museum, relegated to Schifferdecker Park, will remain out of sight and out of mind of most Joplin citizens.
This is a chance for the members of the Board to recognize the same spirit of Joplin that they charge themselves with protecting, the boldness of miners and merchants, and a people who saw only a bright future for the city at the edge of the great Southwest. We urge the Board members to vote in favor the of the plan or be left behind as the rest of Joplin moves forward into the future.
