Merriam Plaza Library Construction FAQ

Antioch Library, located at the corner of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Antioch Road, began as leased space in 1956. Johnson County Library purchased the building and property in 1961, and it served as Library Headquarters until Central opened in 1995. It has been expanded twice, in 1970 and 1983, received its last major renovation in 1994-1995, and has served as a popular and heavily-used branch for decades.

But, with limited parking and an aging facility, the creation of a new Library next to the new Merriam Community Center and in easy proximity to popular local businesses is a welcome opportunity. We are working on ways to honor the beloved building in the new facility.

In late 2017, the City of Merriam approached the Library to consider relocating Antioch Library to the Merriam Community Center campus, at the 6000 block of Slater. After a study with the City, the Library Board approved this path. Subsequently, the Library Board and City of Merriam approved agreements to convey property to the Library on the campus site in the 6000 block of Slater Street, and in Fall 2022 the property was transferred. The Library and the City have also agreed to terms regarding parking, landscaping, and other maintenance responsibilities.

As we’ve experienced with our Lenexa City Center location, joining a community campus enhances convenience for our patrons. For example, you can swing by the Library on your way home from the gym, or pop in the Community Center to check out an art exhibit after attending a Library program!

No, the new Library will be constructed on the lot adjacent to the Community Center and the parking structure.

In March 2021, the Library Board and Johnson County Board of County Commissioners approved selection of Kansas City-based Dake Wells Architecture to design the facility.

In the spring and summer of 2021, the Library, in partnership with Dake Wells and consultant Sophic Solutions, held several community input sessions to hear what patrons and Merriam residents would like to see in the new building. We want to design with you, not for you!

A groundbreaking ceremony took place on November 29, 2022 and construction began in December 2022. Completion is anticipated in 2024. As progress occurs, we will be able to provide a more specific timeline.

As with any construction project, please note the timeline may shift along the way due to supply chain delays, weather events, and other unforeseen constraints.

The anticipated total project cost is $13.68 million and is funded through the Library’s Comprehensive Library Master Plan, which was approved by the Library Board and the Board of County Commissioners in 2015. Merriam residents will not a see a tax increase to pay for the new Library.

Merriam Plaza Library will have the same great staff and collection as at the existing Antioch Library. New amenities include a drive-thru for materials returns and holds pickup, new shelving, an updated Kids and early literacy area, updated computers, meeting and study rooms with wireless A/V equipment, more natural light, an innovative green roof, landscaping with native plantings, and an outdoor covered ‘front porch’. There will also be a variety of seating options for patrons to work and study, collaborate, or relax.

Merriam Plaza Library is approximately 15,000 sq. ft and will be a similar footprint to the existing ‘public library’ portion of Antioch Library. It will be similar in size to the Oak Park Library, a bit smaller than Corinth and a bit bigger than the Gardner branch. It will not include a Friends Bookstore or dedicated space for the JCCC Adult Education program.

The existing building used to be headquarters for the entire Library system, but most systemwide staff relocated to Central Resource Library upon its opening in 1995. All remaining systemwide staff transferred to Central during its 2021 renovation, so Antioch’s back-of-the-house footprint is significantly larger than what is needed.

Yes, Merriam Plaza Library will have two study rooms and one larger, multi-purpose meeting room. All rooms will have upgraded A/V technology for projecting a laptop or other device onto a screen. Like the newer rooms at other Johnson County Library locations, patrons will need to bring their own devices to use these systems.

Merriam Plaza Library will utilize the City's two-level parking structure, greatly increasing parking availability compared to the Antioch branch. The parking structure offers both covered and open-air parking and is immediately adjacent to the new Library. The closest parking stalls are a comparable distance to the front door of the existing Antioch branch, and the furthest stalls in the structure are closer than the furthest options at Antioch.

The Library and Community Center will collaborate on program and event scheduling to ensure parking availability during popular periods of use.

We anticipate Antioch Library will close in 2024, prior to the opening of the new Library, in order to transfer the collection to the new building. A more specific date will set when the construction process is further along. The goal is to keep the amount of time between closing the existing Antioch branch and opening Merriam Plaza to a minimum.

The County Librarian, in consultation with the Board of Directors of the Johnson County Library, intends to place the property for sale after the Merriam Plaza branch has fully opened to the public, anticipated sometime in 2024. Public notice will be issued after listing of the property is authorized by the Library Board. Pursuant to state law, the property may be sold only pursuant to a contract approved by the Library Board and ratified by the Board of County Commissioners of Johnson County, Kansas.

Construction updates will be posted on our blog, social media pages, and in our trimesterly Guide. Follow @jocolibrary on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!