(Branson, MO) – Missouri Main Street Connection (MMSC) awarded the Best Downtown Housing Project Award to Joplin Commons for the Pennington Drug Company Rehabilitation Project during Missouri’s Premier Downtown Revitalization Conference’s Evening of Excellence Awards Ceremony and Dinner at the St. Charles Convention Center. They were one of the 23 community, individual, business, and organization award recipients that were recognized on July 24.
Joplin Commons received the award for their multi-year rehabilitation that transformed the formerly abandoned Pennington Drug Company building into the Pennington Lofts. This project retrofitted a 40,000-square-foot 1919 warehouse into a mixed-use development that offers twenty-one apartments and three commercial spaces in the heart of downtown Joplin, which was no easy feat. Joplin Commons overcame challenge after challenge, including the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruptions, and budget increases with the help of historic tax credits. historic tax credit bridge loan, Federal Tax Credit investor, Missouri Chapter 353 property tax abatement through the City of Joplin, and strong community support.
As a result of the rehabilitation, downtown Joplin now has a one-of-a-kind industrial apartment option that rivals the lofts of New York with sky-bridges providing balconies for tenants, a 50-foot-long mural highlighting the climate-friendly act of building renovations and the inherent beauty of change, and much more.
The Pennington Drug Company Rehabilitation is more than just a housing project; it is a brilliant example of the economic and environmental impact of preserving history and building community. Lori Haun, Director of Downtown Joplin Alliance, stated, “The Pennington Drug Company rehabilitation is truly an example of giving a 100-year-old building a better next century!”
About Missouri Main Street Connection:
Missouri Main Street Connection is a statewide program currently providing services and training to over 130 communities across the state. MMSC offers education and mentoring in downtown revitalization strategies using the Main Street Approach™ as developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The approach is a comprehensive methodology addressing all components of revitalization including organization, design, economic vitality, and promotions, all within the context of historic preservation.
Reference:
Carolina Neal, Owner
Joplin Commons LLC
417.206.4910
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