This story was updated on Tuesday morning.
The Prairie Village City Council on Monday in two separate 6-3 votes approved the authorization of acquiring the 7820 Mission Road property, as well as the issuance of $5 million worth of general obligation temporary notes to purchase that property.
Councilmembers Terry O’Toole, Nick Reddell and Lori Sharp cast the dissenting votes on both motions. Councilmembers Tyler Agniel, Ian Graves and Ron Nelson were absent.
The 6-3 votes came after Sharp made a motion to take the total cost of the city hall project, including the police department renovations, to a public vote. After a lengthy discussion, Sharp withdrew her motion in order to work on a more specific motion to bring forward at a future city council meeting.
Watch the city council’s entire Dec. 2 discussion online here, starting at 1:30:03.
The original story continues below.
A years-long project to remake Prairie Village’s city hall and police department may be taking a large step forward.
The Prairie Village City Council on Monday is anticipated to consider taking out $5 million in bonds to pay for the Mission Road Bible Church property at 7820 Mission Road. This property, if purchased, is likely to become the location for a new city hall — a project that has been in the works for at least two years.
For months now, Prairie Village has been publicly discussing the purchase of this property as it relates to the $31 million new city hall and renovated police department project.
Two weeks ago, the city council during a committee of the whole meeting agreed to let staff work with its bond council on bringing forward an agenda item to pay for the church property. The city council also directed staff to move forward with a specific concept for the new city hall project at that time.
The city is considering buying the church property
- Last month, the city council agreed to allow city staff to extend the “due diligence” period for the purchase of the church property at 7820 Mission Road.
- The city council is considering approval of a resolution to officially buy the church property.
- In a separate but related resolution, the city council will consider taking out $5 million in bonds, or debt, to pay for the property purchase.
Council directs staff to move forward with one concept
Following a lengthy Nov. 18 discussion, the city council directed city staff to move forward with concept 2A for the new city hall project. Here’s a look at what concept 2A, a total of $31 million calls for:
- A new city hall building constructed at 7820 Mission Road, the site of the current Mission Road Bible Church. City documents show the city hall building itself is estimated to cost $23 million, including the cost for purchasing the church property.
- A remodel of the existing city council chambers for a courtroom, at a cost of about $4 million.
- A renovation of the existing police department, for another $4 million.
Mayor Eric Mikkelson cast a tie breaking vote on a split 5-5 decision to move forward with option 2A.
Councilmembers Nick Reddell, Terry O’Toole, Tyler Agniel, Chi Nguyen and Inga Selders cast the dissenting votes against moving forward with option 2A. Councilmembers Lori Sharp and Terrence Gallagher were absent.
The Nov. 18 decision for concept 2A allows the city to move the design phase of the new city hall and renovated police department project along, according to the Dec. 2 city council agenda packet.
The city anticipates following up on design items like Leadership in Energy and Environment Design and the exterior of the building in early 2025. A timeline in city documents shows construction on a new city hall starting as early as April 2026.
Next steps:
- The city council is anticipated to consider the property purchase and the $5 million bond approval at its Dec. 2 city council meeting.
- The city council meeting starts at 6 p.m. at city hall, 7700 Mission Road.
Go deeper: Watch the city council’s full discussion from Nov. 18 online here, starting at 2:11:35.
