Comprehensive and Downtown Master Plan RFP
| Location: | Missouri |
|---|---|
| Posted: | May 26, 2026 |
| Due: | Jul 10, 2026 |
| Agency: | City of Joplin |
| Type of Government: | State & Local |
| Category: |
|
| Solicitation No: | #2026-RFP-23 |
| Publication URL: | To access bid details, please log in. |
| Bid Number: |
#2026-RFP-23
|
| Bid Title: |
Comprehensive and Downtown Master Plan RFP
|
| Category: | Planning, Community Development and Neighborhood Services |
| Status: | Open |
|
Attachment Preview
City Comprehensive Plan and
Downtown Master Plan – Request for
Proposals
City: City of Joplin, Missouri
Issue Date: May 26, 2026
Proposal Due Date: July 10, 2026, at 5:00 PM CDT
Bid Number: 2026-RFP-23
1. Introduction and Purpose
The City of Joplin (the "City") is soliciting proposals from qualified planning, urban design,
and/or economic development consulting firms to prepare a Comprehensive Plan for the
City. The updated plan will provide the City with goals and objectives for future
development and redevelopment within the next 20 years. The document will serve as a
guiding instrument for decision making by City Council, the Planning and Zoning
Commission, staff, developers, property owners, residents and other stakeholders.
The updated plan will include all characteristics of urban development, including land use,
infrastructure, demographics, transportation, economic growth and development,
environmental impacts, and recommendations for each respective category. The consultant
selected will be responsible for composing a comprehensive vision for the City, based on the
evaluation of existing needs and conditions of the City, and gathering public input.
As part of this request for services, the consultant selected will be responsible for preparing
a Downtown Master Plan. The City envisions a vibrant, mixed-use downtown that serves as
the economic, civic, and social heart of the community.
The overall purpose of this plan is to develop strategies for future growth and
improvements to the downtown area.
The consultant will be responsible for preparing both plans. The consultant awarded this
project may select a firm that they work with that specializes in downtown planning or may
complete this project in house provided they have the qualifications and experience
necessary to complete the project. The Downtown Master Plan will be expected to
compliment the overall Comprehensive Plan and planning goals for the City.
2. City and Downtown Background
The City of Joplin is situated in the southwestern corner of the State of Missouri, and serves
as a regional economic hub for industry, healthcare, and retail, evolving from its rich history
as a lead and zinc mining boomtown founded in 1873. The vibrant Ozarks community is
situated along the historic Route 66 and interstates 44/49. The City’s downtown boundary,
designated the Sunshine Lamp District, named after the lamps miners wore.
City Facts (insert or update as applicable):
• Population: 51,762 (2020 Census)
• Land Area: 38.08 square miles
• Median Household Income: $52,097
• Median Age: 37.5 years
• Households: 22,710
• Median value of owner-occupied housing units: $168,300
• Number of Parks: 23
• Form of Government: Council-Manager
3. Planning Area Description
The City of Joplin is located in Southwest Missouri, in the four-state region (Missouri,
Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma). The City serves as a commercial hub for the surrounding
rural communities. While the population is just over 50,000 individuals, the daytime
population is over 240,000. The City of Joplin also houses manufacturing and industrial
facilities serving as major employers, like Darlington Snacks, General Mills, TAMKO Building
Products, Heartland Pet Food Manufacturing, and many more. Missouri Southern State
University is located within the City, and the City is accessed via Interstates 44 and 49.
Throughout the history of community development within the City of Joplin, the Historic
Sunshine Lamp District has included the 100-900 blocks of Main Street, the 500 block of
Joplin Avenue, and the West 200 block of Virginia Avenue. The City of Joplin is seeking
feedback from the consultant and community stakeholders, in determining the potential
expansion of the referenced Downtown boundary. The Downtown Master Plan should
incorporate the mixed-use areas supporting the Downtown Historic District. See
Attachment D for a map identifying the Planning Area. The highlighted areas define the
focus of this study, along with identifying a potential mixed-use study area, for
redevelopment and infill.
4. RFP Timeline
Name of the Proposal: City Comprehensive Plan and Downtown Master Plan
Date of Issuance: May 26, 2026
Deadline for Proposal Submittal: July 10, 2026, at 5:00 PM CDT
Submit Proposal to: City of Joplin
Sealed Proposal: Comprehensive Plan and Downtown Master Plan, Planning,
Development and Neighborhood Services
602 S. Main Street
Joplin, MO 64801
Attn to 4th Floor
Point of Contact: Tyler Bellairs, Planner
Planning, Development and Neighborhood Services Email: tbellair@joplinmo.org
Phone: (417) 624-0820 Ext. 1511
Fax: (417) 625-4738
Respondents shall restrict all contact with the City and direct all questions regarding this
RFP, including questions regarding terms and conditions and technical specifications, to the
Point of Contact.
5. Current Plans
All plans that the City of Joplin has completed can be found at the links below:
Joplin Development Code –
https://www.joplinmo.org/DocumentCenter/View/14113/Joplin-Development-Code---
2025-Amendment-?bidId=
2012 Comprehensive Plan - https://www.joplinmo.org/DocumentCenter/View/1101
Downtown Design Review Standards -
https://www.joplinmo.org/DocumentCenter/View/12291/Design-Review-Guidelines-
2024
Downtown Historic Preservation Plan - https://www.joplinmo.org/119/Historic-
Preservation-Commission
2002 Downtown Joplin Revitalization Plan – See Attachment A
2018 Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan -
https://www.joplinmo.org/DocumentCenter/View/7549/2018-Bicycle-and-Pedestrian-
Transportation-Plan?bidId=
Joplin Connected Active Transportation Plan -
https://www.joplinmo.org/DocumentCenter/View/11777/FINAL_Joplin-
Connected_12422_Compressed-1-2?bidId=
Community Plan to Address Homelessness -
https://www.joplinmo.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/10200?fileID=59205
6. Steering Committee
A steering committee will be formed with City Stakeholders for feedback on the
development of the Comprehensive Plan and Downtown Master Plan. The formation and
composition or role of the committee members may be determined by the consultant, in
coordination with the City of Joplin. The City of Joplin seeks to include the Joplin Chamber of
Commerce, the Joplin Industrial Development Authority, members of the Planning and
Zoning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Downtown Joplin Alliance, and
other local business owners, residents, and Stakeholders.
7. Project Management and Coordination
The project management team will consist of City staff from relevant departments. The
consultant will be expected to coordinate closely with staff and any appointed steering
committee throughout the project. City staff will assist the consultant with the gathering of
local data and coordination with the Steering Committee and Stakeholders.
8. Preliminary Project Schedule
The anticipated project schedule is as follows (subject to refinement by the consultant):
• RFP Release: May 26, 2026
• Proposal Deadline: July 10, 2026
• Selection of Consultant: July 2026
• Contract Review and Approvals: August 2026
• Project Completion: 18 months from the date of Contract Approval.
The contract requires approval by the City of Joplin City Council, which would be around a
30-day process. The City Council meets on the first and third Monday of every month at
6:00 PM in the Council Chamber on the 5th Floor of City Hall, located at 602 South Main
Street.
9. Scope of Services
Comprehensive Plan:
The consultant shall prepare a Comprehensive Plan that establishes a clear vision and a
detailed implementation strategy. The scope below is intended as a framework and may be
refined in the proposal. Consultants may use this to develop a more detailed scope of
services based on their professional knowledge and expertise. Proposals are not limited to
these elements.
Key tasks may include, but are not limited to:
• Project Management – The consultant will be responsible for managing the project and
plan development, including resources, budget, meetings, and all other project related
duties. The consultant will be expected to maintain close and consistent communication
This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.
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