Johnson County Library is beginning to explore options for a potential new facility in Prairie Village, which could eventually replace the existing and outdated Corinth Library. Do you have questions? We have answers!
Corinth Library Replacement FAQ
The Library, the City of Prairie Village, and the YMCA are working together on a conceptual design study for a potential community center campus. This is the next phase of a multi-year partnership that began in 2019 with a market feasibility survey that gauged support for relocating Corinth to the Harmon Park complex, as well as a potential new community center to replace the aging Paul Henson YMCA. The survey was supportive of both concepts. This work was paused during the pandemic and talks were resumed in 2022.
This study will include site analysis and considerations within Harmon Park, as well as community feedback about the co-location concept and desired amenities. The joint study will consider the existing YMCA parcel on the south end of the campus, as well as a site near the existing Prairie Village pool complex, on the north end.
Johnson County Library is a part of this partnership as we consider alternatives for a new Corinth Library location. The Library will also separately study the existing Corinth site to compare our options.
We expect to conclude the study with the City and the YMCA this summer, and bring a recommendation for a Corinth Library Replacement site to the Library Board after that.
Corinth Library, located at 81st and Mission Rd., was the Library’s second permanent location after Antioch Library in Merriam. The closure of Antioch in January 2024 makes Corinth now the oldest building in the Johnson County Library system, at just over 60 years old.
The branch opened in February 1963 and has been expanded once (1967) and renovated twice, in 1986 and 2002. Corinth has served as a popular and heavily-used branch (especially the Kids collection!) for decades. While beloved by the community, there are significant structural issues with the existing building that limit economically justifiable and feasible improvements.
A location has not been decided yet. The Library is studying the possibility of relocating with the City of PV and the YMCA, and will also be using the same design parameters to examine the existing site. Some of the study considerations include: ability to host a drive-thru lane for materials returns and hold pickup, car and pedestrian access, parking, and building square footage. Ultimately the site comparison and a staff recommendation is anticipated to come to the Library Board of Directors for a vote later in -2024.
Representatives from the Library, the City of Prairie Village, and the YMCA have worked together to select an architect and public engagement team to perform the study. The team includes BNIM Architecture, Dake Wells Architecture, with whom the Library recently worked to design the new Merriam Plaza Library, and Parson & Associates.
Johnson County Library will fully fund a potential new Library building through the Library’s Comprehensive Library Master Plan funding, approved by the Library Board in 2015, and funded by the BOCC in 2016. We do not anticipate any tax increase will be needed to pay for a new Library facility. The total project budget for the Corinth Library Replacement is anticipated to be $28.7 million. As we continue to refine project details this number could change.
Funding for a community center campus would be separate from the Library and come through the City of Prairie Village and YMCA. The City of Prairie Village and YMCA hope to determine an estimated cost for a community center through this study, and it is anticipated that residents will be given the opportunity to vote on whether or not to fund the concept.
The Community Center Campus study and the Library’s study of the existing Corinth site are expected to finish in the second half of 2024, at which point the project team will bring a site recommendation to the Library Board for consideration.
The Library is currently expecting design work for the Corinth Replacement Library to begin in 2026.
Join the conversation! Help us explore options for a potential new facility in Prairie Village, which could eventually replace the existing and outdated Corinth Library. Share your thoughts and exciting ideas regarding the Prairie Village Community Center Campus Study at one of our public engagement sessions.
We are holding three in-person public engagement sessions at the Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse (9101 Nall Ave.), and you can also give your feedback virtually if you view the boards and complete the questionnaire.
You do not need to live in Prairie Village to give input during the Community Center Study. We recognize that people from all across the Kansas City metro area use Library and park facilities; we want to hear feedback from a wide range of perspectives via the in-person meetings and online questionnaires.