The city of Joplin has announced that commercial property owners have until November 30, 2011 to have their lots cleared of debris or have a provable plan in place for the work to be completed shortly thereafter. If neither is done these property owners face action by the city to have the work done and charged against the property. This procedure will closely follow the one used recently for residential properties and includes posting a notice on the property and publishing a notification of a hearing before the Building Board of Appeals.

Commercial properties include retail and service businesses as well as residential rental units such as apartments, condos, four-plexes and other multi-family dwelling units. Parking lots do not need to be removed as part of this effort.

Tornado-damaged structures that cannot or should not be rebuilt include those that are dangerous or not cost-effective to rebuild. Slabs, basements, crawl spaces or footings or any other remaining concrete appurtenances should be removed if they are not structurally sound or will not be reused.

The resulting debris cannot be pushed to the public rights of way but instead must be hauled off to a proper landfill. Concrete that is removed cannot be recycled because some of it is old enough to contain mine chat.

"Together, as a community, we have made amazing strides in cleaning up and rebuilding Joplin since the May tornado," Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr said. "We need to keep that momentum going within our business community and clear the last of these lots so that our recovery can continue."

Property owners may do the demolition themselves or hire a certified contractor; a demolition permit from the city is required and is free until December 31, 2011 from the Joplin Building Division, 4th floor, Joplin City Hall, 602 S. Main. For more information contact the city's tornado assistance information line (TAIL) at (417) 627-2900 during regular business hours.

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