Platte City, Weston libraries will see improvements Part of $84 million plan by Mid-Continent 5.23.18
Mid-Continent Public Library has announced the launch of its Capital Improvement Plan, which calls for improvements at all 31 of its branches in Jackson, Clay, and Platte Counties as well as the addition of two new branches by the end of 2022. The construction budget of the Capital Plan is $84.5 million with a total budget of $113.2 million (including fees, furniture, fixtures, and equipment).
The Capital Plan was initiated with an evaluation of the library’s facilities in 2012. Over the past few years, the plan was reviewed, edited, and expanded; officially adopted by the MCPL board in 2014; then in November 2016, voters of Jackson, Clay, and Platte Counties, overwhelmingly approved the first increase to the library’s levy in over 30 years by passing Proposition L, which presented the necessary funding to move forward with the plan.
Closure dates and planned improvements at locations in Platte County include:
Platte City: Closure date: Aug. 20. Reopen: In the fall. Improvements include interior and exterior upgrades, including an updated community room and children’s area, upgraded technology. Alternative locations are Boardwalk, Smithville and Camden Point.
Weston: Closure date: July 6. Reopen: Late summer. Improvements include interior and exterior upgrades, including an updated children’s area and upgraded technology. Alternative location is Platte City.
The library is working with Sapp Design Architects, Helix Architecture + Design, and JE Dunn to complete all of the work in the Capital Improvement Plan. The first three branches on the schedule for Phase I are the Blue Springs South Branch, Excelsior Springs Branch, and the Midwest Genealogy Center. Work on all three of these buildings will begin June 11.
Both Blue Springs South and Excelsior Springs will close temporarily during their renovations; however, the Midwest Genealogy Center will remain open.
Additionally, the Antioch Branch will close on June 18, Oak Grove will close on July 2, Weston will close on July 6, and Platte City will close on Aug. 20. During the renovations, customers will be directed to alternate locations to conduct their library business.
While the upgrades at each branch vary based on individual community needs and the building’s current condition, the library’s goal is to create more intentional spaces such as community and meeting rooms, as well as upgrade essential technology like computers, printers, and high- speed Wi-Fi.
Later in Phase I, the library will acquire property to replace the current Liberty branch as well as property to build an entirely new branch on the east side of Lee’s Summit. More details about these two projects will be released at a later time.
Phase II of the Capital Plan will kick off later this fall and Phases III and IV will kick off in 2019. These remaining three phases will address the rest of MCPL’s branches.
In addition to the physical upgrades that will be taking place over the next few years, library officials say many other library offerings have been made possible by the increased funding approved by voters in 2016. This funding allowed MCPL to expand branch hours; enhance special services like Library-By-Mail for homebound customers and Square One Small Business Services for entrepreneurs; augment early literacy efforts; and increase the materials budget to buy more books, movies, and music.
Closure dates and planned improvements at locations in Platte County include: