Following the unexpected turnout at their latest meeting, Joplin City Council has decided to move their next voting session to Missouri Southern State University. Set to take place in Corley Auditorium on Feb. 17 at 6 p.m., the meeting will follow the ongoing debate of the potential annexation and rezoning of Wildwood Ranch, a roughly 600 acres of land southwest of Joplin. According to developers of the project, annexation and rezoning are part of the planned building of a data center on the property. The proposal has brought both positive and negative outlook from Joplin residents. 

At the council’s last meeting on Jan. 20, this mix of opinions became quickly apparent as residents of the surrounding area poured into the Joplin City Council Chambers to weigh in on the discussion. After almost seven hours of public testimony, and many moments of pause from mayor Keenan Cortez in attempts to control the rowdy crowd, the city council voted on the annexation and rezoning. Following the votes of the council members, the annexation passed 6-3, and the rezoning passed 7-2. While some residents have a neutral stance on the decision, most are not in favor of the council vote. Groups such as the Joplin Sustainable Technology Alliance voice concerns about the land’s excavation, and the group has organized a public petition. If passed, the petition would call for an environmental study to be done before the city officially moves forward with the annexation of the Wildwood Ranch property. 

Due to the overwhelming public interest in the matter, moving the final voting session to MSSU felt appropriate to accommodate the Joplin residents who will be in attendance.  

According to MSSU officials, “The city reached out to inquire about a larger venue to accommodate the city council meeting.”  

Given that the university frequently hosts a wide range of organizations and businesses for meetings and events, MSSU officials offered Corley Auditorium as a suitable venue. A large turnout for the vote is expected, and Joplin City Council is prepared to hear residents’ opinions before forming their final consensus on the annexation and rezoning of the site.