Gould Evans lands design contract for new Indian Creek Library in Olathe

Gould Evans, a Kansas City architecture firm, has won a $1.5 million contract to design the new Indian Creek Library in Olathe.

The firm will begin work on a concept for a new 46,000-square-foot library at 16001 W. 135th Street in Olathe, the site of a former grocery store purchased by the city about a year ago for $2.7 million.

The old Indian Creek Library branch location at 127th and Black Bob Road flooded in 2016 when a water main broke and damaged the building’s foundation.

Olathe’s budget for the new Indian Creek Library is $19 million, including $11.7 million for construction and $2 million for fixtures, furniture and construction with the rest going toward soft costs.

“The Indian Creek Library is vitally important to this community,” Olathe Mayor Michael Copeland said in a written statement. “We’re excited to work with Gould Evans to transform this space into a library of the future; a signature community gathering place that offers opportunities to learn and discover for people of all ages.”

Gould Evans has worked on library projects in Lawrence; Columbia, Mo.; New Orleans; and Phoenix.

“The design of the new library will focus on creating a civic hub that every citizen can benefit from, which is a testament to the Olathe Public Library’s dedication to meeting the community’s ever-evolving needs,” Sean Zaudke, an associate principal with Gould Evans said in a written statement.

Group4, a San Francisco architecture firm, assisted with master planning for the Indian Creek Library.

The new library is expected to open in May 2019.

This story was originally published June 28, 2017 at 10:27 AM with the headline "Gould Evans lands design contract for new Indian Creek Library in Olathe."