Rolling Hills Library to celebrate grand opening of new location

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The Rolling Hills Consolidated Library is preparing to celebrate the opening of its new Riverside branch after more than two years of planning and 18 months of construction.

The library, located at 400 Mosaic Court, is just south of the Mosaic Life Care hospital and its new Plaza 4 location on Faraon Street and the UMKC School of Medicine facility.

The library has been open for business since its soft opening on April 20. Two events are planned for this week to help formally celebrate the opening.

The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 7. A Grand Opening will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, where there will be an all-day open house with tours and giveaways.

The facility is over 36,000 square feet on almost four acres and surrounded by natural landscaping. It also houses the library's largest branch, the Bookmobile office and garage, the Administration Office and the Friends of the Library's used bookstore, Books Revisited.

Sapp Design Architects of Kansas City designed the facility and J.E. Dunn Construction of Kansas City operated as the construction manager at-risk to oversee the project.

According to a news release, local trade partners were used for close to 40% of the project construction budget. The total project costs including land acquisition and construction came in at 10% under the original maximum budget set by the library board.

"Everyone has been so position abut the new space," Library Director Michelle Mears said. "We are still settling in and adjusting, but this building is a joy to come to every day."

The space features large windows and a variety of seating.

The former location at the Rolling Hills Plaza strip mall on Belt Highway is for sale.

"It has been well taken care of and it ready to become a retail and commercial destination again," said Mears.