Southwest Missouri town celebrates new city hall two years after tornado

BATTLEFIELD, Mo. -- After spending two years of the city doing business in cramped, makeshift quarters, this southwest Missouri town dedicated a new city hall last week to replace one that was damaged by a 2003 tornado.

City personnel started moving into the 9,800-square-foot facility a couple of months ago, but officials waited until Thursday to dedicate the new city hall and mark the two-year anniversary of the tornado that struck this town not far from Springfield.

Several other communities in the region, including Pierce City and Stockton, were also hit by the deadly May 4, 2003, storm.

Battlefield police worked in a former beauty shop after the tornado and other departments worked out of a rented mobile building.

City officials celebrated the opening with a flag-raising and ribbon-cutting. Visitors toured the facility, which accommodates a judge, the city clerk as well as police and other departments, Mayor Michelle Heslep said.

Grants helped pay for almost half the $1.1 million building, Heslep said. The remainder was financed through a lease purchase.