Lt. Gov. Joe Maxwell presented three Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Affordable Housing for developments in Kansas City, Joplin and Hillsdale (St. Louis) during an award luncheon, September 24, 2004, at the Governor’s Conference on Housing held in Kansas City.

The Frisco Station Apartments in Joplin were among this year's award winners that also included the Hillsdale Revitalization in St. Louis County and Columbia Square Apartments in Columbia, MO.

"The recipients of the Governor’s Awards were chosen for their tireless dedication to furthering the cause of affordable housing for the people of Missouri,” said Lt. Gov. Joe Maxwell. “All three of these efforts show what can be done to reinvigorate a community, a downtown area, and a neighborhood.”

The building of Frisco Station Apartments involved taking a storied, but neglected, landmark in downtown Joplin and converting it to a seniors housing community. The Frisco Building was originally built as a railroad depot in 1913 and was Joplin’s first modern high-rise office building. It served as a depot until 1955 and after years of gradually losing tenants, the building was completely vacant in 1987. By early 2001 the city was considering demolition. Economic Security Corp. of the Southwest Area had tried for years to rehabilitate the property. In 2001, Economic Security Corporation saw an opportunity to partner with a successful private developer, Carlson-Gardner, Inc. of Springfield, Mo., to preserve this local landmark and revitalize downtown while providing greatly needed affordable rental housing for Joplin’s seniors.

The City of Joplin provided a grant for the acquisition of the property. Permanent financing was provided by the city, MHDC and additional equity came from state and federal Rental Housing credits and historic credits. This historic restoration preserved the architectural integrity and beauty of the building while providing 56 modern, safe, and comfortable apartments for seniors.

“The historic rehabilitation and innovative reuse has already returned lost pride to downtown Joplin and it is a cornerstone for downtown revitalization efforts. The Frisco Building has truly come full circle,” said Maxwell. “The same can be said of some of the current residents of the building who were delivered in the doctor’s offices that used to be located in the Frisco Building many years ago.”

For a description of the Frisco Apartments, click here.

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