People interested in bringing new life to Emporia’s Carnegie Library downtown can now tour the facility.
Residents interested in a tour or just in learning more about the building can call Director of Public Lands and Facilities Kevin Hanlin at 620-343-4294 or email khanlin@emporiaks.gov.
Residents with a plan for the property can apply at emporiaks.gov/surpluspropertyapp. The application involves basic contact information, as well details about properties currently owned, a self-reporting segment about code violations and delinquent taxes and a segment about the ownership and property plan.
The library has been fully vacant since 2020, but the clear-out process began in 2016 when the Lyon County Historical Society began moving its operations to the Lyon County History Center in 2016. The building was also the original home of the Emporia Public Library next door.
The city is reviving efforts to dispose of the property after previous conversations in 2022 led to proposals from Jason and Cassie Heffron and the Emporia Library, neither of which led to a sale. The city is considering mothballing the property, a full renovation, demolition as part of work towards green space or a sale as it works towards a possible decision by early January.
