Mid-Continent Public Library and City agree to continue talks on downtown headquarters; no sale approved

The Independence City Council on Sept. 2 authorized staff to continue negotiations with Mid-Continent Public Library about locating its headquarters at Independence Square, but stopped short of approving any sale or final terms. The council approved Resolution 25-785, 6-0, authorizing city staff to pursue discussions with the library. Council member Stewart moved to approve the resolution and the motion received a second; the roll call vote was Fears, Perkins, Stewart, McCandless, Wiley and Mayor Roland — all in favor. Why it matters: the library system serves three counties and officials said a relocation to the square could bring employees and foot traffic to downtown. The council’s vote allows staff to pursue negotiations and public engagement without committing the city to a property sale or construction plan. Aaron Mason, director of Mid-Continent Public Library, told the council the library’s leadership believes a move to the square “has the potential to be a catalyst for Independence Square, bringing 150 library employees to the heart of downtown and creating a new energy, foot traffic, and opportunity for surrounding businesses.” Council members and staff confirmed the resolution only authorizes continuing conversations. City Manager (title used in meeting) told the council that any final arrangement would require further negotiations and subsequent council approval. “There would need to be additional conversations, negotiations, and approval by this body before anything was close to finalized,” the manager said. Council and staff also addressed near-term logistics should the library pursue the site. The manager said municipal administrative functions scheduled to move to Independence Municipal Commons are expected to be relocated “by the end of this calendar year,” and the plan is to hold municipal court in the multipurpose room at the police headquarters “by the beginning of 2026,” after which demolition and new construction on the site could follow. Resident Lucy Young pressed the council over timing and municipal court space, asking, “If the building is gonna be vacated by December 2025 as projected, where is a municipal court going to be held?” City officials answered that municipal court would be moved temporarily into police headquarters’ multipurpose space and that records and court staff would be co-located there. City staff said the existing library building has significant foundation issues and that the library does not plan to occupy the current structure; rather, the plan discussed is demolition and new construction on some portion of the site. Council member McCandless said the library conducted a facilities assessment showing replacement could cost less than extensive repairs to the 55‑year‑old structure. Council members asked that community features be respected during any transition. Mayor Roland publicly requested that the Japanese sister‑city garden on the site be protected during future planning; staff said relocation or respectful remediation of the garden will be part of future conversations and that the city expects funds to be available for that work. What the resolution does and does not do: the approved resolution (25-785) authorizes staff to pursue and negotiate further discussions with Mid-Continent Public Library; it does not authorize any sale, transfer, or final commitment of city property, nor does it set a construction timetable beyond the high-level moves noted by staff. Any final deal would return to the council for formal action. Next steps: staff will continue negotiations with the library and notify the public of subsequent reviews and opportunities for public input, including anticipated public renderings and community engagement on any proposed design. The council and staff said public input opportunities will be scheduled as project details are developed.