The deadline for beginning work on rebuilding or demolishing properties that are still standing in Joplin after the tornado is Saturday. Joplin City Finance Director Leslie Jones says the deadline serves a purpose for the community.
She says encouraging people to move forward as soon as possible will help the community get back on its feet. She says for those who can’t afford the demolition, her office can find some volunteers to do it for free, but that request needs to be submitted by Saturday. She says after that the city will begin assessing fines based on dangerous properties, and they won’t be small. She says the deadline will help the community, because not many people want to rebuild next to a home that is still in ruin.
Darin Wright from affiliate KZRG in Joplin contributed to this report.