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The Independence City Council approved a plan Monday to sell part of its longtime City Hall site to the Mid-Continent Public Library, which will construct a new headquarters just east of Independence Square.
The city bought and renovated the former GEHA building near Little Blue Parkway and Jackson Drive two years ago with plans to consolidate city services — and roughly 350 municipal employees — at the new location.
The Independence City Council voted in September to support MCPL’s plans to build on the property, which is located at 111 E. Maple Avenue, and voted during Monday night's meeting in support of a letter of intent to begin “good faith negotiations.”
The approval means MCPL can begin “due diligence” work.
"If due diligence work is satisfactory, and other conditions remain consistent, MCPL staff would then seek MCPL Board approval to build a headquarters facility on the site," the library system said in a statement.
No price has been agreed to yet, but it’s expected to “be based on fair market value, with possible adjustments for demonstrated public benefit or economic impact,” according to the city’s agenda packet.
Monday night's authorization opened a 120-day window for completing negotiations, after which the city would have 60 days to close on the sale.
"There are many hurdles to be cleared, but if plans move forward, the Library could break ground as soon as late 2026," MCPL said.
MCPL shared it has considered "several scenarios" for upgrading its "aging headquarters facility," such as renovating its current location or building somewhere within the library's three-county system.
The focus on the Independence location was due to the "logistical similarity to the current headquarters facility and the advantages a public partnership can provide for taxpayers" and the library.
While MCPL continues to work out what the future of its headquarters looks like, the library system's main goals are to incorporate office space that is "better suited to a 21st-century workplace" and provide "opportunities for public amenities."
“We’re greatly appreciative of our partnership with the City of Independence as we explore this exciting possibility of a new home for our headquarters,” Aaron B. Mason, MCPL executive director, said in a statement. “We have deep roots in this community, and we look forward to planning our next chapter and finding the best possible solution for Library staff and the community we serve.”
If MCPL selects Independence, the city would demolish the building, which was built in 1973 and houses the municipal court and other city offices, and safely disconnect utilities prior to new construction.
The MCPL Board of Trustees must agree to any sale terms.
Barring an extension, the letter of intent automatically expires April 1, 2026, if no agreement is reached.
The 1.2-acre tract of land sits between Independence Square and the Independence Police Department Headquarters, bounded to the north and south by Maple and Lexington avenues, east from Lynn Street to North Memorial Drive.
The city will maintain ownership of the parking lot north of the existing City Hall.
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