Earlier this summer, the Post asked our readers what issues you wanted to hear candidates in federal, state and local races address leading up to the Nov. 3 election.

Based on that feedback, we developed a five-item questionnaire centering the issues most important to residents across Johnson County.

Each day this week, we’ll publish the candidates’ responses to one question. So far, we’ve published responses on their visions for the next decade, the state’s new housing law, and taxes and spending.

Today, we’re publishing candidates’ responses to the following question:

In September, the city council voted 10-0 to study moving Corinth Library, the county’s oldest branch, a few blocks up Mission Road next to a new city hall. An early concept envisions a 30,000-square-foot, two-story building with drive-thru book drop-off and underground parking. The county library would pay for the building and buy the land from the city at an appraised price. Where do you stand on the future of Corinth Library? Before signing off on a final deal, what would you need to see on land price, parking, traffic and the future of the current site?

Below are the answers the Post received from candidates on the issue:

Inga Selders

The Corinth Library isn’t just a building; it’s a cherished gathering space for so many of our residents. In theory, I really like the idea of moving the library to the grounds of the municipal complex to create a modernized, central community hub. I recently voted in support of moving forward with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the City and the Library to explore this option. However, a proposal of this magnitude raises significant logistical and financial questions that remain unanswered. Any decision must be driven by absolute transparency and robust resident input.

Before I could ever sign off on a final deal, I want to see crystal clarity on four critical fronts. First, the land sale to the county must be based on a true, independent market appraisal so Prairie Village taxpayers are fully and fairly compensated. Second, we must conduct a comprehensive, independent traffic study. Mission Road is already highly congested, and adding a 30,000-square-foot facility with a drive-thru drop-off could severely impact the safety of surrounding neighborhoods.

Third, underground parking is notoriously expensive to build and maintain. We must have ironclad guarantees that our city taxpayers will not be left holding the bag for any construction cost overruns. Finally, we must have a concrete, resident-driven plan for the existing Corinth site before any move is finalized. We cannot leave that prime location vulnerable to out-of-scale development that conflicts with our neighborhood standards. My priority is ensuring this project serves our residents, not the other way around.

Cole Robinson

I grew up going to the Corinth Library and now I enjoy taking my kids. It’s a meaningful part of our community and the building’s future is an important issue for Prairie Village. The Johnson County Library Board has determined that the current facility, now the oldest branch in the system, faces significant structural and moisture-related challenges and is due for replacement. Keeping a library in Prairie Village has been a priority of mine, particularly after the library was expected to be part of the YMCA/Community Center project that ultimately did not move forward.

One challenge is that the current site does not have sufficient space to accommodate the type of modern, full-service library the Library Board hopes to build. Given the limited number of viable sites in Prairie Village, I believe the proposed location on the municipal campus deserves serious consideration. A new library adjacent to City Hall, the Police Department, Shawnee Mission East, and Harmon Park could create a true civic hub and provide lasting benefits to residents.

Before supporting a final agreement, however, I would need to see key issues resolved. First, the city must receive fair value for the land. I do not support transferring valuable public property to another governmental entity without appropriate compensation. Second, I want to verify that parking and traffic impacts can be accommodated without creating problems for existing civic facilities. Finally, I would want to make sure the city retains a right to repurchase the land in perpetuity in case Corinth would relocate again many years down the road.

I am optimistic that a partnership can be reached that benefits both Prairie Village and Johnson County taxpayers, and look forward to a new generation of the Corinth Library in our community.

Coming up:

Tomorrow, we will publish the candidates’ responses to the following question:

Beyond bigger debates, readers raised some concerns closer to home: short-term rentals still operating despite a city ban, disruptive teardown construction, cut-through traffic and an aging tree canopy. What do you see as the single most pressing quality-of-life problem in Prairie Village neighborhoods, and what’s one concrete thing you’d do about it in your first year as mayor?