Board approves downtown library demolish-and-rebuild plan over preservation objections
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Summary
The board voted to approve 'Option C prime' — a plan to demolish and rebuild the downtown library and consider moving administrative offices off-site — despite objections from members who said the option would not preserve historical materials.
The Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools Board approved Option C prime for the downtown library project after a substantive discussion about historic preservation and design. Board member Rachel Russell moved the motion, describing the plan as a path to create a new downtown library while using tax credits to support a smaller branch and to relocate administrative offices into an existing district building.
Dr. Wynne said she could not support Option C prime because, in her view, it does not preserve the historical materials the community has accumulated; she indicated she could support an alternative (B prime) but that it was not the motion before the board. Wanda Brownlee Page also said she would not support the motion for historical reasons. Russell and other supporters argued that tax-credit opportunities and thoughtful design could honor local history while delivering a new building and services.
During roll call the motion carried: Yolanda Clark, Randy Lopez, Robert Milan Jr. and Rachel Russell voted yes; Wanda Brownlee Page and Dr. Wynne voted no. The board directed staff and the facilities committee to continue work on design details and preservation approaches as the project proceeds.