The city of Olathe recently began construction on a new library building meant to help revitalize the city’s downtown core.
The new library building will be four stories tall, constructed of stone, masonry, glass, and custom brick. The structure includes a Creative Tower with a glass exterior in the center of the building, hosting a creative lab, reading, and study spaces, and an observation area overlooking the city. There will also be a lowered glass-paneled Flexbox meeting space, aiming to accommodate public speakers, performances, and private events. Libraries often use tools like brochure printing and the internet to advertise such events, which can provide free education and cultural exposure.
The downtown library is intended to complement the Indian Creek Library that opened in Olathe two years ago. The building will also contain a coffee shop, community meeting spaces, and the Olathe Chamber of Commerce’s new headquarters. While the new building is being constructed, the library will operate a temporary location at the West Santa Fe Plaza mall. The location of the old library building will be home to new apartments. The project is part of the Olathe 2040 Strategic plan, which seeks to improve quality of life within the city.
Construction of the new downtown Olathe library began last month, with a ground breaking on September 18. The building is expected to open in 2023.
